1.
Introduction including thesis statement as the
final sentence
2.
First subtopic supporting thesis
3.
Second subtopic supporting thesis
4.
Third subtopic supporting thesis
5.
Conclusion including a restatement of your
thesis
The introduction should be composed of four
parts:
1.
2.
3.
4.
The Hook
Statement of Situation
Theme
Thesis
 The
first sentence of an essay
should capture the reader’s
attention.
Example:
 Imagine
what it would be like to
live without parents in a violent,
poverty stricken part of the city.

A sentence (or a few) that establishes the topic of
the paper. It should be limited in scope. (A brief
summary of your topic)
Example:

In S. E Hinton’s The Outsiders, this is exactly what
what the Curtis brothers have to face. Ponyboy,
Sodapop and Darry are members of the low class
Greaser gang, who not only have to live without
their parents, but they also have to deal with the
constant rivalry of the Socs, who are the upper
class rich kids.

The author’s main idea; a universal truth developed
by the author.
Examples:
 In this book, S. E Hinton demonstrates the human
need for closeness, either to friends or family. She
also explores the pain and violence that is caused
by gang rivalry as well as the hardships that
accompany poverty.


The main, controlling idea of the essay.
Subject + verb + opinion + three sub-topics to
support your opinion.
Examples:
 The novel The Outsiders explores many important
themes through the lives of the Socs and the
Greasers including: the importance of family and
friendship, the dynamic between the rich and the
poor and the pain and violence caused by gang
rivalry.

Imagine what it would be like to live without parents in
a violent, poverty stricken city. In S. E. Hinton’s The
Outsiders, this is exactly what the Curtis brothers have
to face. Ponyboy, Sodapop and Darry are members of
the low class Greaser gang, who not only have to live
without their parents, but they also have to deal with
the constant rivalry of the Socs, who are the upper class
rich kids. In this book, S. E Hinton demonstrates the
human need for closeness, either to friends or family.
She also explores the pain and violence that is caused
by gang rivalry as well as the hardships that accompany
poverty. The novel The Outsiders explores many
important themes through the lives of the Socs and the
Greasers including: the importance of family and
friendship, the dynamic between the rich and the poor
and the pain and violence caused by gang rivalry.
Each paragraph should include:


•
Topic Sentence (Restates Example from the
Introduction)
3 Example Sentences (Prove your Topic
Sentence)
Concluding Sentence (Explain how your
example reinforces your thesis)
No paragraph should be less than five
sentences and paragraphs 2, 3 & 4 should
all follow this format.
The body paragraphs should each develop
one main idea (one of the three sub-topics
in your thesis statement)
Restate each subtopic in the topic sentence
for each of the next three paragraphs.

The main idea of the paragraph. It should
state the topic of the paragraph and explain
how the sub-topic proves or reinforces your
thesis statement.

Within your body paragraphs, you must provide
concrete details or specific examples.

Direct quotes from the source (state the speaker
of the line before the quote)

You use quotes to support you ideas.
For Example:
 Ponyboy knows that he has a much more difficult
life than the Socs and this is evident when he
says, “We’re poorer than the Socs and the middle
class” (3).


Commentary explains how the quotes,
support or reinforce your thesis statement.
When you use quotes you want to make sure
to explain how and why they are significant.


Use transitions to move from one idea (paragraph)
to the next.
Moreover, however, although, in addition,
furthermore, unlike, etc.

Restate your thesis or main idea in different words.

Explain how your sub-topics prove the thesis.

Clincher: connect final sentence back to the hook


Avoid ‘In conclusion…” or “To conclude…”
Never add anything new to the conclusion
1.) Introduction (hook, statement of situation,
theme and thesis)
2.) Discuss subtopic one (topic sentence and three
examples)
3.) Discuss subtopic two (topic sentence and three
examples)
4.) Discuss subtopic three (topic sentence and
three examples)
5.) Conclusion (restatement of thesis, explanation
of how you proved you thesis and the clincher)