Sentence stems

Introductions

Neutral introductions

The central issue in xxx is yyy ...
The development of xxx is a typical/common problem in ...
Xxx and yyy are of particular interest and complexity ...
For a long time xxx, it has been the case that yyy.
Most accounts/reports/publications claim/state/maintain that xxx.
According to Smith/recent (media) articles/reports/studies, xxx is/seems to be yyy.
One of the most controversial/important/interesting issues/problems/xxxS (recently/in
recent literature/media reports) is yyy.

Negative introductions

Little information is available about xxx
Little attention has been devoted to yyy
Few reports have discussed/examined zzz
Few discussions have addressed/noted/examined
Few articles have focused on/noted
Few studies have investigated/dealt with

Thesis/Topic Statements

The purpose of this essay/paper/analysis/overview is to xxx (e.g., take a look at/examine/
discuss yyy).
The main emphasis/focus/goal/purpose of the/this essay/paper/project is to xxx (e.g.,
is to analyze/provide an overview/discussion of xxx)
This paper describes and analyzes ... xxx.
This paper discusses/examines/investigates xxx.
This paper claims/shows that xxx is / is not yyy.
This essay/paper addresses/examines/... is designed to analyze/provide an overview
of/take a look at xxx.
My aim in this paper is to ...
In this paper, I/we report on/discuss ...
I intend/will demonstrate/show/explain/ illustrate that xxx.
My (basic/main/most important) argument/claim is largely/essentially that xxx.

Secondary Purpose

The primary aim/purpose of this paper is xxx. In addition, it examines/discusses... yyy.
Additionally, yyy is discussed/examined.
A secondary aim of this paper is to yyy.
Another reason/point/issue addressed/discussed in this paper is yyy.

Rhetorical Mode/Discourse Organization Statement

This paper (will) compare(s)/'describe/illustrate xxx first by analyzing/comparing/
demonstrating yyy (that yyy is zzz), then byyyyingzzz, and finally byyyyingaaa.
This paper first analyzes/discusses xxx, followed by an examination/illustration/overview
of yyy and zzz.

Other Types of Sentence Stems for Essay Development

Assertion

It can be claimed/said/assumed that xxx.
It seems certain/likely/doubtful that xxx.
I/we maintain/claim that xxx.

Comparison

Both xxx and yyy are (quite) similar in that zzz.
Xxx is like/resembles yyy.
Both xxx and yyy are/seem to be zzz (adjective/noun).
Xxx and yyy have/share some aspects of zzz.
Xxx is similar to I not unlike yyy (with respect to zzz).

Contrast

Xxx is (quite) different from yyy (in regard to zzz).
Xxx is not the case with yyy/the same as yyy.
Xxx does not resemble yyy (in regard to zzz).
Xxx contrasts with yyy (with regard to zzz).
Xxx is unlike yyy in that/with respect to zzz.

Recommendations

Let me recommend/suggest that xxx be/have/do yyy.
What I want/would like to recommend/suggest is that xxx.
One suggestion is/may be that xxx (do yyy).

Citing sources/supporting arguments, claims, conclusions, and generalizations

As proof/evidence/an example (for this), (let me cite/quote xxx).
According to xxx, ...
As XXX says/claims, ...
XXX provides evidence/support for yyy / that yyy.
XXX demonstrates that yyy shows evidence for yyy / that yyy.
Xxx is an illustration/example of yyy.

Citing sources/referring to external sources of knowledge

It is/has been (often) asserted/believed/noted that xxx. (YYY, 2003)
It is believed that xxx. (YYY, 1999)
It is often asserted that xxx.
It has been noted that xxx.

Classification

Xxx can/may be divided/classified into yyy (and zzz).
Xxx and yyy are categories/divisions of zzz.
There are xxx categories/types/classes of yyy.

Generalization

Overall,
In general,
On the whole,
Generally speaking,
In most cases,
One can generalize that xxx,
For the most part,
With the exception of xxx,
With one exception,

Closing statement

In sum/conclusion,
To sum up/conclude,
To tie this (all) together,
(Adapted from Nattinger & DeCarrico [1992] and Swales & Feak [1994].)