1. Introduction

• Hook
  • Powerful, eye-catching hook about the topic to grab reader’s attention
• Background information
  • Provide context/background on the topic
  • Explain why the topic is important
  • Who cares about the topic or why should people care
• Thesis
  • State your main point of view on topic (agree, disagree, qualify)
  • List 2-3 reasons why you choose this

2. Body Paragraphs

• Topic sentence
  • Claim that supports a part of your thesis
  • Will be the main topic of this paragraph
• Evidence
  • List evidence that supports the topic sentence/claim
  • CHORES:
    • Current Events
    • History
    • Outside Knowledge
      • Sports, pop culture, music, etc.
    • Reading
    • Experiences
    • Science
  • Commentary: Explain specific evidence used and how it relates to your thesis
    • (Explain evidence) [proves/supports/confirms/highlights/exemplifies/qualifies/refutes/disproves/shows the limitations of/suggests/implies] [insert idea based on claim] because (explain how evidence relates to claim by stating assumptions)
    • Consequently (if/since) (assumption related to evidence that can be linked to claim) (explain outcome of assumption in regards to claim)
    • Therefore, (since/due to the fact that) (another assumption related to previous evidence that can be linked to claim) (explain outcome of assumption, tie back to thesis)
  • Transition in next body paragraph by connecting an idea from the past body paragraph to an idea you plan to use in this paragraph

3. Refutation

• Acknowledgement
  • Respectfully acknowledge evidence/standpoints that are different from your argument (opposing arguments)
    • Do this by explaining their argument
  • Refutation
    • Refute the stance of the opposing arguments using (however/although)
      • Go on to disprove their argument (why this argument isn’t rational)
      • Show why your position is more correct than the opposing idea using more evidence and commentary

4. Conclusion

• Restate thesis in a more sophisticated and expanded light
  • Review your major points made in your essay and their relation to your thesis and topic of essay
• Emphasize the importance of the topic again
• Call to action
  • Leave the audience with something by moving them to take action on the topic

Essay I wrote using this template: