Analysis Essay Sentence-by-Sentence Format
Introduction
1. ESSENTIAL TRUTH – One sentence that reveals the underlying idea, belief, or truth that prompted the author to write this piece.
Like a theme in literature, this should be a comment on the human condition. Do not mention the author, the title, or anything
about exigence, audience, or purpose in this statement.
2. THESIS STATEMENT – One sentence that presents the author’s name + adjective + rhetorical strategy 1 + rhetorical strategy 2 +
rhetorical strategy 3 + strong verb + function.
Body Paragraphs (Suggested total body paragraphs is 2 to 4)
1. ASSERTION – One topic sentence that asserts the author’s purpose for using this particular strategy and reveals particular insight
about how the author achieves the function presented in your thesis statement.
2. TEXTUAL EVIDENCE – One or two quotes, paraphrases, or summaries that demonstrate or exemplify the rhetorical strategy
discussed in the assertion above. MUST be properly signaled and cited.
3. ANALYSIS – Answer at least three of the following questions:
 How is the intended audience reached through the author’s use of this strategy?
 How does the author use the strategy to create persona? Make sure you note specifically what this persona is.
 How does the author use the strategy to create invention? In other words, how does the strategy help the author achieve
something different than what other authors were doing in his or her day (NOT today)?
 How does the author use the strategy to fulfill his or her purpose? Remember: Purpose is the function noted in your thesis
statement.
 How does the author use the strategy to fulfill his or her intention? In other words, how does the rhetorical strategy help
the intended audience connect to or understand the essential truth of the piece? Remember: Intention goes beyond
purpose and ties into the essential truth.
 How does the author establish credibility and trust with the intended audience through the use of the strategy? Warning:
Do NOT use the term “ethos” in your essay.
 How does the author appeal to the intended audience on an emotional level through the use of the strategy? Warning: Do
NOT use the term “pathos” in your essay.
 How does the author use arrangement to lead the audience to understand and/or acquiesce through the use of the
strategy? Warning: Do NOT use the term “logos” in your essay.
 What does the use of this rhetorical device say about the author?
Conclusion
1. RESTATE THESIS – One sentence that reiterates, in different words/phrasing, the author’s name, strong verb, and function from
the thesis statement.
2. CLOSING STATEMENT – One sentence that can be deduced from the body paragraphs. Must flow logically from the analysis and
should not bring up any new or supporting information.
Argument Essay Sentence-by-Sentence Format
Introduction
1. GRABBER/CONTEXT – One to three sentences that specifically refer to the prompt but go beyond it. Suggested: include one
short quote or paraphrase from the prompt, properly cited, that captures the “essence” of the prompt and/or discussion at
hand.
2. THESIS STATEMENT – One sentence that begins with a dependent clause (“Although” + opposition) then presents, in an
independent clause, your stance on the issue presented as well as an umbrella category for the reasons you’ll address in your
essay.
Body Paragraph 1
1. COUNTERARGUMENT – Begin with a concessionary transition word like "Certainly," or "Sure," then present one
counterargument (i.e., one argument that the opposition might make to discredit your claim).
2. EVIDENCE – Begin with the word "However" and present your evidence against the counterargument mentioned in Sentence 1.
Evidence should take up about one to three sentences in your paragraph, either all at once or throughout the paragraph. Types
of evidence:
a fact/statistic
an anecdote
a universal truth
a reference to a text,
a detail
a cause-effect statement
an observation
entertainment/arts, or
a quotation
an appeal to authority
history
3. WARRANT – Analyze and/or support the evidence presented in Part 2 above using EACH of the following to support your
rebuttal (in other words, address ALL of these in your paragraph):
□ Make an ASSUMPTION about this paragraph topic – should be a statement about which almost everyone would likely
agree AND that connects the evidence to the human experience or human nature.
□ Provide BACKING/EXPLANATION as to why your assumption is a safe one to be made.
□ Explain the EFFECT of your claim on people, pocketbooks, and/or the planet.

BODY PARAGRAPH EXAMPLE: Counterargument: One might insist that, with so many drivers and passengers at risk, safety on
the roads is of the utmost importance. Evidence: However, seatbelt laws are already in place and do not need to be more
strictly enforced. My mom has told me stories about how she and her siblings used to ride in the back of my grandfather’s truck
and scream at the top of their lungs while driving down the highway. > Assumption: In 2015, this sight would likely move a
concerned citizen to call 911 because people take driving safety much more seriously now than they used to. >
Backing/Explanation: Faster speed limits and more automobiles on the roads over the past 30 years have resulted in stricter
seatbelt laws that have preserved and even saved lives and people are much more aware now of how important it is to buckle
up. > Effect: With the seatbelt issue already being effectively handled, stricter enforcement of seatbelt laws would only require
law enforcement agencies to put time and money where it isn’t needed, thereby taking the focus off of more important and
urgent matters.
Body Paragraph 2+ (Suggested total body paragraphs is 3-4; so BP1 as noted above, then 2 or 3 of these)
1. CLAIM – Make a claim to support the stance you took in your thesis statement. Note: In Paragraph 3+, begin with a
sophisticated transition (e.g., "Moreover," "In addition," "Not only that,“ "Furthermore,”) to make a solid case.
2. EVIDENCE – See #2 above, under Body Paragraph 1. Use a different kind of evidence each time.
3. WARRANT – See #3 above, under Body Paragraph 1.
Conclusion
1. RESTATE CLAIM – Use the most powerful concluding word, "Therefore," then reiterate, in different words/phrasing, your claim
from the thesis statement.
2. CLOSING STATEMENT – One sentence that provides original, fresh, and/or brilliant insight and ties all of your ideas together.
Must flow logically from the argument.
Synthesis Essay Sentence-by-Sentence Format
Introduction
1. GRABBER/CONTEXT – One to three sentences that specifically refer to the prompt but go beyond it. Suggested: include one
short quote or paraphrase from the prompt, properly cited, that captures the “essence” of the prompt and/or discussion at
hand.
2. THESIS STATEMENT – One sentence that states your stance on the issue presented and an umbrella category for the reasons
you will address your essay.
Body Paragraphs
1. CLAIM – Begin with a claim that fits under the umbrella category you’ve presented in your thesis statement.
2. HALF & HALF EVIDENCE – Write one reason why you believe your claim to be true, using half your own words and half direct
quote or paraphrase. Cite your source using author’s name in signal phrase or Source # in parentheses.
3. WARRANT – Support the evidence presented in Part 2 above using the following:
□ Make an ASSUMPTION about this paragraph topic – should be a statement about which almost everyone would likely
agree AND that connects the evidence to the human experience or human nature.
□ Provide BACKING/EXPLANATION as to why your assumption is a safe one to be made.
4. HALF & HALF REBUTTAL – Use another source to point out a counterargument or an exception to your claim. Be sure to use
half your own words and half quote or paraphrase from a different source than you used for your evidence. Cite your source
using author’s name in signal phrase or Source # in parentheses.
5. HALF & HALF QUALIFICATION – Use one of the following to analyze the rebuttal and explain how it does not disprove your
claim. Use half your own words and half a direct quote or paraphrase when explaining how it does not disprove your claim. It is
best if this source is different from the first and second sources you’ve used in this paragraph, but not required. If you don’t use
a third, make sure you use a third in your next paragraph.
□ STRATEGIC CONCESSION: Acknowledge or accept some of the merits of the opposition and reject other parts of it,
maintaining that it does not prove your claim false.
□ REFUTATION: Show important weaknesses and shortcomings in the opposition and demonstrate that it should be
rejected.
□ DEMONSTRATION OF IRRELEVANCE: Show that the opposing view might be valid in certain respects, but it does not in
fact meet the criteria of relevance that you believe define the issue.
Conclusion
1. RESTATE CLAIM – Use the most powerful concluding word, "Therefore," then reiterate, in different words/phrasing, your claim
from the thesis statement.
2. CLOSING STATEMENT – One sentence that provides original, fresh, and/or brilliant insight and ties all of your ideas together.
Must flow logically from the argument.