“Quick-Fix Workshop”
Communications Centre
The Essay Outline
• After conducting a close reading of the text
and highlighting important points, which focus
on your topic, you need to construct an Essay
Outline.
• An outline is meant to be a 'framework' or
skeleton, which you refer to when writing your
essay.
• Using point form, construct an essay outline.
Introduction
• The quotation you intend to use to open your
essay
• Brainstorm -- provide some point form notes,
which analyze this quotation
• The last point in this paragraph is your thesis
statement
The Thesis Statement
• It states the essay's subject and purpose. It
conveys the writer's point of view. You must
take a position. It makes a fairly specific
statement that leads to a set of main ideas
and supporting details. It uses specific
language and avoids vague words. It also
indicates the major subdivisions of the topic.
Examples
• Literary: In Big Joe Kevin Leenders uses
flagrant characters and stream of
consciousness to reveal the psychological
effects of racial stereotypes; the author
rejects the possibility of self-preservation and
suggests that dominating cultures will
inevitably destroy the individual.
• Academic: "To eliminate dangerous situations
for both people and animals alike, lawmakers
need to ban private ownership of wild animals
as pets" (Quick Access).
Body Paragraph 1
Deal with the first part of your argument in this
paragraph.
• introductory sentence
(follow this pattern approximately 4 times)
• point
• example
• analysis
• concluding sentence
Body Paragraph 2
Deal with the second part of your argument in
this paragraph
•
•
•
•
•
same as body paragraph one
introductory sentence
(follow this pattern approximately 4 times)
point
example
analysis
concluding sentence
Conclusion
• List the main points you have argued
• Refer to something in your introductory
paragraph
Stick to the guides
Now, while referring to your outline, construct
full sentences and build your essay. Always
refer to your thesis statement to make sure
that you are sticking to your plan.
Introduction
This paragraph should be engaging, strong
and creative. Open with a quotation or an
ideological comment, which reflects your
chosen theme. Follow this with specific
analysis and end the paragraph with your
thesis statement. Your thesis statement
should propose a precise, compact and
thematic argument, which dictates the
structure of your essay.
Length: ¼ to ½ page.
Body Paragraphs
Body paragraphs should be substantial – actively
prove your argument. Be meticulous. Organize
these paragraphs logically and make sure that one
flows into the next.
Begin each paragraph with a Topic Sentence. This
sentence announces what will be discussed in your
body paragraph. Use the analytical pattern to write
the rest of the paragraph: point, example, analysis.
Repeat this pattern approximately five times (or until
you are have presented a convincing argument).
End each body paragraph with a Concluding
Sentence, which confirms what you have argued.
Length: each paragraph should be ¾ to 1 page
Conclusion
This paragraph should make clear what you
have argued. It should be confident,
memorable and solid. Summarize your
argument and your most important points.
However, do not regurgitate any points
exactly. End creatively. Tie up your essay by
referring to something in your introductory
paragraph.
Length: ¼ to ½ page.
Quotations in Your Essay
• Use specific quotations from the texts
(evidence)
• Use quotation marks and citations
• Specific quotations strengthen your argument
and help you prove your argument
• Without them, you risk sounding vague –
paraphrasing isn’t enough
Remember
*Use the thesis statement to guide your
revision. Refer to it at the end of every
paragraph. If your thesis statement does not
match the content and movement of each
paragraph, you need to make serious
revisions.