EAP OUTLINE NOTES
INTRODUCTION
Make it creative
Provide background for your argument. To do so, use:
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anecdote (a brief story)
colorful language, sensory details, figurative language (simile, metaphor,
personification)
strong verbs
pose a challenging question
Relate an engaging anecdote. Example: the story of Lady the cat.
Provide sensory details. Examples: sleek ermine coat; pale-green eyes; scuffed blue
jeans; freckled, ruddy face; thickly cabled forearms
Use strong verbs. Examples: drooped, glanced, cast, transforming, compelled, nodded,
filtering, whisk
Use figurative language. Examples: like a queen of silent film with one last swoon left in
her; like demolition experts
Author’s Claim
Explain, summarize, paraphrase author’s claim. (Don’t just quote it.)
The purpose is to prove you understand what he/she is saying.
Attributive Tag
Include an attributive tag introducing Bilger and his article
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Attributive Tag = author/title reference
o Ex: “Bilger, author of ‘The Last Meow,’ claims that…argues that….states
that”….etc.
Thesis (Position Statement)
Conclude your introduction by taking a stand in response to the author’s claim
(Do you agree, disagree, or both?)
Optional – in thesis or elsewhere in intro paragraph, identify the main reasons for your
opinion (which will be developed in bodies)
BODY PARAGRAPHS
Persuade and Convince You are Right
How will you convince the reader to agree with you? How will you persuade them you are
right/that your thesis is true? Turn your thesis into a question. Now answer it by…..
- Identifying the main reasons/logic/main ideas (topic sentences)
- Supporting each “answer” (reason/logic/main idea) with ORE or by raising HEL!
o (ORE/HEL = evidence/concrete examples to prove your reason or further
explain your reason’s importance)
o Literature/Readings are best
o Observations/History is second best (sometimes also the best – if strong!)
o Experiences are the weakest (but if used well can still earn a high score)
- Be sure to state why any of this matters!!! (Why is the evidence and reasoning
important?)
Counter-argument (if time)
One reason opponents may disagree; argue back with logic/reasoning or HEL/ORE
CONCLUSION
Provide a “call to action.” (What can your readers do about this issue?)
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Revisit the question you posed in your introduction, and remind readers why they
should agree with your position.
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Create a “frame” for your essay, just as Bilger did, by concluding the anecdote that
you created for your introduction and then reflecting on its importance or posing
additional questions that leave the reader thinking.
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Counter argument