Degnan
English 9
Essay Outline Help Sheet
Follow the provided outline in the creation of your essay. Take note of the sentence minimum-maximum
for each section. Said stipulations should be met and not exceeded.
INTRODUCTION
A. Introduce your basic topic. (2-3 sentences)
a. What is the basic topic? What does it mean? Explain.
B. Identify the outside source of your ideas and support. (2-3 sentences)
a. What is the title of the literary piece? Who is the author? Briefly summarize the plot and
purpose.
C. Identify pertinent information from your source. (1-2 sentences)
a. What aspects of the plot, characters or setting directly correlate with your topic and how
or why?
D. State your specific purpose in writing (thesis statement). (1-2 sentences)
**Help with THEME**
A. What is the book/movie about?
a. Choose one word, preferably an emotion, which sums up the focused topic of the book.
b. Define that word.
c. Use one of the following formulas to produce your theme
i. Your defined topic + an event or situation = a result
ii. An event or situation = your defined topic
iii. Your defined topic = An event, situation, or result
BODY PARAGRAPHS
A. Identify the single aspect of your thesis you will discuss in this paragraph. (1-2 sentences)
a. What does this aspect mean aside from the plot of the story? What does it mean in your
own words?
B. State the pertinence of this aspect to your thesis statement. (2-3 sentences)
a. How does your now explained aspect pertain to your purpose in writing? How is it seen
in the story?
C. Provide any proof you have of the presence of this aspect in the story. (Varies)
a. What quotes or references do you have to support your idea?
D. Explain how your quote or reference solidifies your opinion. (2-3 sentences)
a. What does your quote or reference prove? How does it make your opinion correct?
E. Transition to the next single aspect of your essay. (1-2 sentences)
a. How does the single aspect you just discussed relate to the one you will discuss next?
**Repeat as often as necessary**
CONCLUSION
A. Restate your purpose in writing (thesis statement). (1 sentence)
a. Rephrase your thesis statement from your introduction.
B. Remind the reader of the pertinent information from your source. (1-2 sentences)
a. Rephrase and retell the aspects of the plot, character or setting that directly correlate with
your topic and how or why.
C. Restate the outside source of your ideas and support. (2-3 sentences)
a. Briefly summarize the plot and purpose of the literary piece with a focus on the author’s
purpose in writing (theme).
D. Remind the reader of the basics of your topic. (1-2 sentences)
a. Rephrase your ideas about the overall topic of blame, fault, and responsibility for tragedy.
E. Leave the reader with a final, all encompassing thought. (1-2 sentences)
a. How could you, solidly and unequivocally sum up your argument, in short, as it relates to
all people?