GRONICH-STYLE ESSAY FORMAT
Paragraph #1: Introductory Paragraph
Attention Getter – The purpose of the attention getter is to get the reader’s attention and to orient the reader
to the subject of the thesis. (Choose only one of the bulleted options below)
o May be Anecdotal story (short story with a moral/point) 3-5 sentences
o Quote (not from the story, but related to the subject of the thesis) 1-2 sentences
o Question (be careful with these and make sure it is a rhetorical question) 1-2 sentences
o Interesting fact/statistic (must be relevant and very interesting) 1-2 sentences
Background/History – You will provide relevant, historical context and definition so the reader knows
exactly what you are talking about in your essay. DO NOT use this area to summarize the story.
3-5 sentences
Thesis Statement – This is the number one most important part of the essay because every other sentence is
about proving or supporting the truth/validity of the thesis, so must be perfect.
-Must contain a subject and an opinion (the reason for the opinion is because the thesis must be
arguable)
-Must use strong, active, direct voice (no personal pronouns, no weak words like: think, might be,
could be, etc.)
-Use interesting, descriptive words, adjectives, adverbs, and stronger levels of words (for example,
despise is stronger than dislike, etc.) 1 sentence
Paragraph #2: Body Type 1 Paragraph
Topic Sentence- This needs to be a reason why the thesis is true. 1 sentence
Quote- Direct evidence from the literature that proves that the topic sentence is a valid reason.
1-2 sentences
Commentary A- Explain, interpret, analyze the quote. Explain what it means, then interpret and analyze the
quote in ways that support the topic and thesis. Do not repeat yourself or summarize the story. 3-5 Sentences
Commentary B- Tie the Commentary A back in to the topic/thesis. 1-2 sentences
Quote- Direct evidence from the literature or from an outside/expert source that proves that the topic
sentence is a valid reason. 1-2 sentences
Commentary A- Explain, interpret, analyze the quote. Explain what it means, then interpret and analyze the
quote in ways that support the topic and thesis. Do not repeat yourself or summarize the story. 3-5 Sentences
Commentary B- Tie the Commentary A back in to the topic/thesis. 1-2 sentences
Paragraph #3: Body Type 1 Paragraph
Topic Sentence- This needs to be a reason why the thesis is true. 1 sentence
Quote- Direct evidence from the literature that proves that the topic sentence is a valid reason.
1-2 sentences
Commentary A- Explain, interpret, analyze the quote. Explain what it means, then interpret and analyze the
quote in ways that support the topic and thesis. Do not repeat yourself or summarize the story. 3-5 Sentences
Commentary B- Tie the Commentary A back in to the topic/thesis. 1-2 sentences
Quote- Direct evidence from the literature or from an outside/expert source that proves that the topic
sentence is a valid reason. 1-2 sentences
Commentary A- Explain, interpret, analyze the quote. Explain what it means, then interpret and analyze the
quote in ways that support the topic and thesis. Do not repeat yourself or summarize the story. 3-5 Sentences
Commentary B- Tie the Commentary A back in to the topic/thesis. 1-2 sentences
Paragraph #4: Body Type 1 Paragraph
Topic Sentence- This needs to be a reason why the thesis is true. 1 sentence
Quote- Direct evidence from the literature that proves that the topic sentence is a valid reason.
1-2 sentences
Commentary A- Explain, interpret, analyze the quote. Explain what it means, then interpret and analyze the
quote in ways that support the topic and thesis. Do not repeat yourself or summarize the story. 3-5 Sentences
Commentary B- Tie the Commentary A back in to the topic/thesis. 1-2 sentences
Quote- Direct evidence from the literature or from an outside/expert source that proves that the topic
sentence is a valid reason. 1-2 sentences
Commentary A- Explain, interpret, analyze the quote. Explain what it means, then interpret and analyze the
quote in ways that support the topic and thesis. Do not repeat yourself or summarize the story. 3-5 Sentences
Commentary B- Tie the Commentary A back in to the topic/thesis. 1-2 sentences
Paragraph #5: Body Type 2 Paragraph
Alternate/Opposing Viewpoints- Using very weak, passive words bring up some possible alternate
viewpoints to your thesis statement (for example, there might possibly be some people who feel that…) 1-3
sentences.
“Shoot ‘em Down”- Explain why these alternate viewpoints are weak, false, or invalid. 2-5 sentences per
opposing viewpoint.
Quotes- Use direct evidence from the literature/ from an expert source to prove your reasons for shooting
down the other viewpoints. 1-2 sentences per “shot”.
Paragraph #6: Conclusion Paragraph
Restate Thesis- Using completely different words, restate your thesis statement. 1 sentence
Major Points- Using completely different words, bring up your major/strongest arguments 3-5 sentences
Further Thought- Leave the reader thinking more deeply about the subject of your essay (for example, There
may come a point in the future when women will truly be given equal status to men, or may even dominate men,
but for now they are still treated as objects.) 1-2 sentences
NOTES:
1) No contractions (don’t, isn’t, etc.)
2) No personal pronouns (I, my, our, we, etc.)
3) Perfect MLA format
4) Cite your quotations
5) Vary sentence length and style
6) No summarizing
Essay Worksheet
PARAGRAPH #1: INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH
1) Attention Getter (1-2 sent): ________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
2) Background/History (3-5 sent): Sent #1- ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent#2-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent #3-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
3) Thesis Statement (1 sent): _________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
PARAGRAPH #2: BODY TYPE 1 PARAGRAPH
4) Topic Sentence for First Body Type 1 Paragraph (1 sent):________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
5) Quote #1 for First Topic Sentence (1-2 sent from story): _________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
6) Commentary A for First Quote (3-5 Sent): Sent #1- _____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent#2-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent #3-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
7) Commentary B for First Quote (1-2 sent):_____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
8) Quote #2 for First Topic Sentence (1-2 sent from expert source):___________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
9) Commentary A for Second Quote (3-5 Sent): Sent #1- ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent#2-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent #3-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
10) Commentary B for Second Quote (1-2 sent):___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
PARAGRAPH #3: BODY TYPE 1 PARAGRAPH
11) Topic Sentence for Second Body Type 1 Paragraph (1 sent):______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
12) Quote #1 for Second Topic Sentence (1-2 sent from story): _______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
13) Commentary A for First Quote (3-5 Sent): Sent #1- _____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent#2-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent #3-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
14) Commentary B for First Quote (1-2 sent):_____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
15) Quote #2 for Second Topic Sentence (1-2 sent from expert source):_________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
16) Commentary A for Second Quote (3-5 Sent): Sent #1- ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent#2-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent #3-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
17) Commentary B for Second Quote (1-2 sent):___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
PARAGRAPH #4: BODY TYPE 1 PARAGRAPH
18) Topic Sentence for Third Body Type 1 Paragraph (1 sent):_______________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
19) Quote #1 for Third Topic Sentence (1-2 sent from story): ________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
20) Commentary A for First Quote (3-5 Sent): Sent #1- _____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent#2-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent #3-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
21) Commentary B for First Quote (1-2 sent):_____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
22) Quote #2 for Third Topic Sentence (1-2 sent from expert source):__________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
23) Commentary A for Second Quote (3-5 Sent): Sent #1- ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent#2-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent #3-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
24) Commentary B for Second Quote (1-2 sent):___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
PARAGRAPH #5: BODY TYPE 2 PARAGRAPH
25) Alternate/Opposing Viewpoint(s) (1-3 sent): Sent #1-____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent#2-________________________________________________________________________________
Sent #3-________________________________________________________________________________
26) “Shoot ‘em Down” (2-5 sent): Sent #1- ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent#2-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent #3-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent #4-________________________________________________________________________________
Sent#5-________________________________________________________________________________
27) Quote(s) (1-2 sent/ “shot”): ________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
PARAGRAPH #6: CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH
28) Restate Thesis (1 sent): ___________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
29) Major Points (3-5 sent): Sent #1- ___________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent#2-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Sent #3-________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
30) Further Thought (1-2 sent):_________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________