THE MULTI-PARAGRAPH ESSAY OUTLINE
I. Introductory paragraph (details move from general to specific)
A. ATTENTION GETTER/HOOK/LEAD: introduces your topic in a general but engaging way.
Provides necessary background information so that the reader will be prepared to understand your
thesis. [Choose a method of development that makes sense for your topic: give historical or
cultural context; explain the essay’s mode of criticism; define a concept; summarize the literary
work; explain the theme of the work, etc.]
B. “BRIDGE”: Link the “hook” to the essay’s thesis. This is can be done by using background
information which includes:
•author; title; genre
•brief plot summation
•author’s thesis/main purpose
C. WELL-STATED THESIS STATEMENT: a sentence that tells what your essay will
present/prove -- your main argument. Starting your essay with a dependent clause, such as
“Although,” “Because,” “Since,” or “If” will help you create a more contentious thesis statement.
D. ESSAY MAP/MAIN SUPPORTING IDEAS (optional--may be implied in the thesis). The
essay map is a brief statement that introduces the major points to be discussed in the essay.
This
orients the reader, letting them know in advance where you, the writer, will be taking them in the
essay.
II. Body Paragraph ONE/TWO and so on…
A. Topic Sentence: a sentence containing the first supporting idea — explains why or how some
part of the thesis is “true” or valid. (Make sure that the topic sentence – except for body
paragraph #1 – begins or is preceded by a sentence that transitions from the subject matter of
the last paragraph.)
[THE FOLLOWING IS THE “STUFF” THAT PARAGRAPHS ARE MADE OF – BUT THE
COMMENTARY AND CONCRETE DETAIL ARE LIKELY MIXED TOGETHER. THE ONLY
“NO-NO” – GENERALLY -- IS TO PLUNK A QUOTE RIGHT AFTER THE TOPIC SENTENCE.]
B. Point/Assertion #1, #2, #3 and so on: Presents the first statement proving the position taken in
the topic sentence. (Contains a transition. All sentences should transition smoothly to the
next!)
C. Concrete evidence (quotation, paraphrase, example) to support your point.
D. Commentary/analysis: Explain how the textual evidence confirms your assertions about the
text and deepens the analysis of your main idea.
This pattern continues throughout the paragraph until you have fully “proven” your topic
sentence.
E. Transition to CONCLUDING STATEMENT (often summarizes how the ideas discussed in
the body paragraph connect to the thesis statement and/or topic sentence.)
IV. Concluding Paragraph (details move from specific to general)
A. Echo the thesis: Do not restate the thesis word for word, but do try to rephrase the major
concepts of the thesis
B. Broader Statements: Synthesize the main point of your essay.
C. Final Statement: Put ideas into greater context (i.e., the world outside the story) and/or link to
ideas from introduction. Leave the reader with your most insightful/compelling thought!
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NOTE: If you desperately want a formula for a body paragraph, you may use this.
Remember, you can vary from this. Use the model as a comfort zone to make sure that all is well.
Then, sculpt the paragraph to smooth out the rough edges that generate from using the model.
Sentence 1: topic sentence (it also has a subject/predicate like the thesis statement, but it is a smaller
topic which directly relates to the thesis). Make sure that this sentence also is a transition from the
subject matter of the last paragraph.
Sentence 2: Present the first statement proving the position/predicate you take in the topic sentence.
Sentence 3: Textual evidence, either exact quote or summary, which demonstrates your point.
Sentence 4: Explain how the evidence proves the point you made in sentence 2.
Sentence 5: Present the second statement proving the position/predicate you took in your topic
sentence.
Sentence 6: Textual evidence, either exact quote or summary, which demonstrates your point.
Sentence 7: Explain how the evidence proves the point you made in sentence 5.
Sentence 8: Present the third statement proving the position/predicate you took in your topic sentence.
Sentence 9: Textual evidence, either exact quote or summary, which demonstrates your point.
Sentence 10: Explain how the evidence proves the point you made in Sentence 8.
Sentence 11: Make a transition into the next paragraph by linking the subject matter of this paragraph
to that of the next by creating a logical link but without introducing a new topic.
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THE MULTI-PARAGRAPH ESSAY OUTLINE
Rules You Can Bend or Break Regarding Structure
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH:
A. ATTENTION GETTER/HOOK/LEAD: you can omit this if you are writing a “timed write” OR
if you feel it is unnecessary to orient the reader to your subject.
B. BACKGROUND
•author; title; genre (these can show up at any point in the introductory paragraph and be in
any order.
•brief plot summation (may be omitted if necessary)
•author’s thesis/main purpose
C. WELL-STATED THESIS STATEMENT: UNBREAKABLE RULE!
D. ESSAY MAP/MAIN SUPPORTING IDEAS (optional--may be implied in the thesis)
BODY PARAGRAPHS:
1. UNBREAKABLE RULE! You must transition between body paragraphs and between ideas within
each paragraph.
2. UNBREAKABLE RULE! You must have a topic sentence. However, the topic sentence does not
necessarily have to come at the beginning of the paragraph.
3. UNBREAKABLE RULE! Commentary must outweigh concrete detail (quotes; examples) at least
2:1.
4. UNBREAKABLE RULE! A multi-paragraph essay is at least 4 paragraphs.
5. UNBREAKABLE RULE! You must NOT introduce a new idea at the end of your paragraph.
CONCLUSION:
1. UNBREAKABLE RULE! You must recap your main point(s).
2. UNBREAKABLE RULE! You must NOT introduce a new idea!