Based on the information you have learned about personality development, write a paragraph
explaining how at least two theories helped shape your own personality. Refer to specific personality
traits that you have and how they might have been formed by the elements of the various theories.
Point Form Essay Outline – Checklist table
Introduction:
Attention getting sentence (Hook)
Remember to talk about your personality trait and the 2 theories you have chosen.
State your main points – the topics of Paragraphs 1 and 2 – TWO THEORIES
Your Thesis. (should refer to the theories explain your behavior and personality trait.)
Body Paragraph 1 THEORY # 1
topic sentence – should be a strong, clear opinion - your best point!
(Write about one theory and how it explains your behavior and personality trait. Fully explain how the theory
applies to your trait, & then use an example from current news events to illustrate your point.)
a) Detail about the Theory (an expert
opinion, a quote or a statistic – identify the
source! N.B. this “detail” should be a
paraphrase – i.e. take the idea form your source
and put it into YOUR words
Explanation or argument (in your words)
Here you tell why or how this detail
contributes to the idea of the paragraph, why it
is so important, why or how it proves the
opinion stated in your topic sentence. Try to
use the word “because”
b) Detail about the Theory
Explanation or argument (in your words)
Make sure you link a specific personality trait to each
“Theory Detail” from the left side.
Conclusion to this paragraph (has a link to the thesis and a transition to next paragraph)
Body Paragraph 2 THEORY # 2
topic sentence – should be a strong, clear opinion.
(For the second body paragraph, write about another theory and the same trait)
a) Detail about the Theory (an
expert opinion, a quote or a statistic –
identify the source! N.B. this “detail”
should be a paraphrase – i.e. take the
idea form your source and put it into
YOUR words
Explanation or argument (in your words)
Here you tell why or how this detail contributes to the
idea of the paragraph, why it is so important, why or
how it proves the opinion stated in your topic
sentence. Try to use the word “because”
b) Detail about the Theory
Explanation or argument (in your words)
Make sure you link a specific personality trait to each “Detail’
from the left side.
Conclusion to this paragraph (has a link to the thesis and a transition to next paragraph)
Conclusion:
In the Concluding paragraph, end with a point about what your analysis of behavior and personality
tells us about your identity.
Restate your thesis, Re-establish your major points, Wrap it up.
How to embed a citation: i.e. “We are the stuff that dreams are made on,” Shakespeare, William The
Tempest, Act 4, Scene 2.
You would type…
We are the basis of our own dreams (Shakespeare) and because of this, … … …
Point Form Essay Outline – Table for you to complete.
Introduction:
Your Thesis. (should refer to the theories explain your behavior and personality trait.)
Body Paragraph 1 THEORY # 1 topic sentence
a) Detail
Explanation
b) Detail
Explanation or
argument
C) An example from current news events to illustrate your point (ask your
teacher to explain this)
Conclusion to this paragraph (has a link to the thesis and a transition to next paragraph)
Body Paragraph 2 THEORY # 2 topic sentence
a) Detail
Explanation
b) Detail
Explanation
An example from current news events to illustrate your point (ask your
teacher to explain this)
Conclusion to this paragraph (has a link to the thesis and a transition to next paragraph)
Conclusion:
In the Concluding paragraph, end with a point about what your analysis of behavior and personality
tells us about your identity.