BASIC ESSAY STRUCTURE
INTRODUCTION

State the author’s main idea /topic (what you will investigate and why it is important/worth
investigating)

State your thesis (question and/or problem you want to investigate and your opinion about the answer
to the question or solution to the problem)

State the subtopics (how you will prove thesis)

State the literary devices (how the author uses literary devices in the examples cited in the essay in
order to analyze text)
MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 1 (SUBTOPIC A)
Supporting details
Transition1
Interpretion2
1. State view
first of all
the author states
2. Explain
furthermore, moreover
the author suggests
3. Example and Quote
for example, for instance, as,
the author expresses/depicts/portrays
4. Analysis
therefore, consequently, hence
the passage demonstrates
5. Transition
in addition; moreover; as well
6. Example and Quote
another example, for instance,
in this passage it is evident
7. Analysis
therefore, consequently, hence
the passage portrays/conveys
8 Transition
in addition; another point
9. Example and Quote
for example, for instance, to illustrate
the passage expresses
10. Analysis
therefore, consequently, hence
the author emphasizes/conveys
11. Summary and Transition
in summary, lastly
the author reveals
MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 2 (SUBTOPIC B)
Supporting details
Transition1
Interpretation2
1. State view
second of all; next, another
the author explores
2. Explain
then, after, as before, while
the author implies
3. Examples and Quotes
specifically, as an illustration
the author refers
4. Analysis
as a result, then, accordingly
the passage makes use of
5. Transition
in addition; moreover; as well
6. Example and Quote
another example, for instance,
in this passage it is evident
7. Analysis
therefore, consequently, as a result
the devices conveys/emphasizes
8 Transition
in addition; another point; likewise
9. Example and Quote
for example, for instance, to illustrate
the passage expresses
10. Analysis
therefore, consequently, hence
the author emphasizes/conveys
11. Summary and Transition
to sum up, finally,
the author conveys the idea
MAIN BODY PARAGRAPH 3 (SUBTOPIC C)
Supporting details
Transition1
Interpretation2
1. State view
the third reason, also, in addition
the author establishes
2. Explain
meanwhile, now, during
the author infers
3. Examples and Quotes
for instance, such as, in particular
the author demonstrates
4. Analysis
thus, for this reason, subsequently
the author depicts
1
2
The phrases in this column can be used to help you tie your points together.
The phrases in this column can be used when discussing your interpretation of the text.
5. Transition
in addition; moreover; as well
6. Example and Quote
another example, for instance,
in this passage it is evident
7. Analysis
therefore, consequently, as a result
the device conveys/emphasizes
8 Transition
in addition; another point; likewise
9. Example and Quote
for example, for instance, to illustrate
the passage expresses
10. Analysis
therefore, consequently, hence
the author emphasizes/conveys
11. Summary and Transition
to conclude, last of all
the author reveals
CONCLUSION
Re-emphasize your thesis without restating it in the same words. Sum up subtopics.
Offer a resolution. State an opinion. Make suggestions, recommendations, or predictions.