WSP: Writing Skeleton
(an outline for your written research paper)
Introductory Paragraph
Hook: A statistic or question that would grab the reader’s interest related to your topic.
(type it below)
THESIS SENTENCE: What is the topic and a general statement about it? (type it below)
What is some brief background you can add without giving too much away? Why is it
important to know about? Include information a reader would need to know to be able to
understand the rest of your paper. (type it below)
ORGANIZING SENTENCE…Introduce the 3 main ideas the body paragraphs will explain.
First Body paragraph
Topic Sentence: Generally states what the rest of the paragraph will explain. (type it below)
Concrete detail (CD) be sure to site your source and include a complete citation in the works
cited list at the end. “Cite as you go…” (type it below)
Concrete detail (CD) be sure to site your source and include a complete citation in the works
cited list at the end. “Cite as you go…” (type it below)
Concrete detail (CD) be sure to site your source and include a complete citation in the works
cited list at the end. “Cite as you go…” (type it below)
Commentary (your description of the details, or linking statements when appropriate) (type
it below)
Transition Commentary (the sentence that links the ideas from this body paragraph to the
next one so your paper flows) (type it below)
Second Body paragraph
Topic Sentence: Generally states what the rest of the paragraph will explain. (type it below)
Concrete detail (CD) be sure to site your source and include a complete citation in the works
cited list at the end. “Cite as you go…” (type it below)
Concrete detail (CD) be sure to site your source and include a complete citation in the works
cited list at the end. “Cite as you go…” (type it below)
Concrete detail (CD) be sure to site your source and include a complete citation in the works
cited list at the end. “Cite as you go…” (type it below)
Commentary (your description of the details, or linking statements when appropriate) (type
it below)
Transition Commentary (the sentence that links the ideas from this body paragraph to the
next one so your paper flows) (type it below)
Third Body paragraph
Topic Sentence: Generally states what the rest of the paragraph will explain. (type it below)
Concrete detail (CD) be sure to site your source and include a complete citation in the works
cited list at the end. “Cite as you go…” (type it below)
Concrete detail (CD) be sure to site your source and include a complete citation in the works
cited list at the end. “Cite as you go…” (type it below)
Concrete detail (CD) be sure to site your source and include a complete citation in the works
cited list at the end. “Cite as you go…” (type it below)
Commentary (your description of the details, or linking statements when appropriate) (type
it below)
Transition Commentary (the sentence that links the ideas from this body paragraph to the
next one so your paper flows) (type it below)
Concluding paragraph
Re-state your thesis in different words (type it below)
Summarize your three body paragraphs (1 sentence each) in different words (type it below)
Add a closing commentary –what you want the reader to remember about the topic without
introducing new information (type it below)
Works Cited
(include your complete citations below in MLA format)