Essay Outline
Introduction & Conclusion
Introduction – 1st Paragraph
Contains:
 Hook – grab the reader’s attention
 Background information – give some basic
information about the topic
 Thesis statement – State the main claim of the
essay followed by reasons.
The Hook
Here are a few simple ways to write your hook:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Ask a question
State an interesting or startling fact / statistic
Use a quote
Create an ‘Imagine if’ scenario

Try to do this without using any form of “you” or “I.”
Examples (Topic: Ocean sports)
 Ask a question

Ever gone stand up paddling before?
 State an interesting or startling fact / statistic

Seventy-five percent of athletes who tried stand up
paddling claim it improves balance, coordination, and
strength.
 Use a quote

“Surfing’s the source man… swear to God.” - Bodhi /
Patrick Swayze
 ‘Imagine’ scenario
 Imagine the roar of the ocean, 20 ft. waves pounding the
shore, and the rush of adrenaline as the next set comes
in.
Examples
Matriculation hook
 Wouldn’t it be great for 8th graders to be
rewarded for all their hard work at the end of
the year?
Food Inc. hook

Imagine being cooped up in a cage, force-fed
to the point of being unable to move, and
forced to stand in manure all day.
Hook: Your turn
With your elbow partner, come up with a possible
hook sentence related to your topic (look at your
thesis statement).
 Ask a question
 State an interesting or startling
fact/statistic
 Use a quote from the article or a quote
from a famous person
 ‘Imagine (if)’ scenario
Background Information (2-3 sent.)
Give the reader some basic information about
the topic before going into the Thesis
Statement.



Who? What? When? Where?
Why? (Why does it happen, Why is it
important)?
How? (How does it happen, How does it relate
to the audience?)
Background Example
Food Inc. example:

This is what it is like for many animals, such
as chicken, hogs, cows, and ducks that are
raised on what the American food industry
calls, factory farms. Factory farms are large,
industrialized farms where mass amounts of
livestock are raised at a cheap cost.
Oftentimes, the conditions they are raised in
are unhealthy.
Put it together with the Hook

Imagine being cooped up in a crowded cage,
force-fed to the point of being unable to move,
and forced to stand in excrement all day. This
is what it is like for many animals, such as
chicken, hogs, cows, and ducks that are
raised on what the food industry calls, factory
farms. Factory farms are large, industrialized
farms where mass amounts of livestock are
raised at a minimal cost. Oftentimes, the
conditions they are raised in are unhealthy.
Thesis Statement
 This is the main claim of your essay followed
by your reasons. This is what you will argue
for.
 Thesis Statement = Opinion + Topic
supported by reasons & evidence.
 Read your thesis statement aloud to your
elbow partner.
Thesis Statement: Examples
Matriculation
 Eighth grade students should have a matriculation
ceremony because it recognizes their
accomplishments, and it involves parents in school
activities.
Food Inc.
 Factory Farms have a negative effect on society and
the environment because it causes E. coli poisoning,
pollutes the environment, and results in cruelty to
animals.
Introductory Paragraph
Hook + Background Info. + Thesis Statement
Intro paragraph: Food Inc. example

Imagine being cooped up in a crowded cage,
force-fed to the point of being unable to move, and
forced to stand in excrement all day. This is what it
is like for many animals, such as chicken, hogs,
cows, and ducks that are raised on what the food
industry calls, factory farms. Factory farms are
large, industrialized farms where mass amounts of
livestock are raised at a minimal cost. Oftentimes,
the conditions they are raised in are unhealthy.
Factory farms have a negative effect on society
and the environment because it causes E. coli
poisoning, pollutes the environment, and promotes
animal cruelty.
Conclusion: Restate your thesis statement
in a different way
Maybe your original thesis statement looked like
this:

Video games have a positive effect on teens
because it improves hand-eye coordination and
sharpens problem solving skills.
Simply restate it by switching it around like this:

In conclusion, strong hand-eye
coordination and problem solving skills
are ways teens can benefit from playing
video games.
Concluding Statement
Add another final sentence(s) and you’re done!
 Leaves a strong impression on the reader or
 Persuades the reader to take some kind of
action.
Concluding Paragraph
1. Restate your thesis statement and write it in
the template.
2. Come up with a strong statement to end
your essay. Ask your elbow partner for help.