English homework

The following outline shows a basic format for most academic papers. No matter what length the paper needs to be, it should still follow the format of having an introduction, body, and conclusion.

I. Introduction

The introduction should have the following elements:

·  Start with an attention grabber: an anecdote, example, statistic, or historical context that introduces the paper topic

·  Define of any key terminology need to understand the topic (only if the terminology is unusual and may not be understood by the reader)

·  Quote or paraphrase sources revealing any possible controversy or uncertainty surrounding the topic

·  Highlight background information on the topic needed to understand the direction of the paper

· The introduction must contain a THESIS statement (topic + what about it + subtopics that will be discussed)

II. Body

·  Clearly present the main points of the paper as listed in the thesis

·  Give strong examples, details, and explanations to support each main point

·  Use strong evidence from sources—paraphrases, summaries, and quotations that support the main points

·  Address any differences of opinion or disagreements on facts/evidence that may have been found among your sources

III. Conclusion

·  Restate your thesis from the introduction in different words

·  Briefly (in just a few sentences) summarize the significance of the main points found in the body of the paper (synthesis)

·  End with a strong clincher statement: an appropriate, meaningful final sentence that ties the whole point of the paper together (may refer back to the attention grabber)

Additional Tips

·  Narrow the focus of your essay and decide on the main points first

· Develop your thesis based on the focus and main points

·  You do not need to start writing your paper with the introduction

·  Try writing the working thesis and body first; then go back and figure out how to best introduce the body and conclude the paper

· Adjust your thesis as appropriate if you incorporate new information that may affect the main idea or subtopics of the essay

·  Use transitions between main points and between examples within the main points

·  Always keep your thesis in the forefront of your mind while writing; everything in your paper must point back to the thesis

** See next page for blank outline template

Outline

Thesis Statement (One sentence that names your topic, indicates the main idea that will be your focus, and identifies the major subtopics that will be addressed): ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

I. Topic sentence that summarizes the background information on your topic.

A. Background point

B. Background point

C. Background point

II. Topic sentence that summarizes the information on your first subtopic.

A. Identify 1st piece of evidence from your sources

B. Identify 2nd piece of evidence from your sources

** Note: The number of A, B, C elements depends on how many elements of evidence you have to present for each subtopic.

III. Topic sentence that summarizes the information on your next subtopic.

A. Identify 1st piece of evidence from your sources

B. Identify 2nd piece of evidence from your sources

C. Identify 3rd piece of evidence from your sources

IV. Topic sentence that summarizes the information on your next subtopic.

** Note: The number of major subtopics at levels I, II, III, etc. will depend on how many sections you need to divide the main ideas in the essay. Your thesis should map out the major subtopics/sections of your essay and each of these sections should clearly support the thesis.

V. Topic sentence that summarizes your conclusion.

** Note: You may use A, B points here to identify concluding ideas (like the synthesis in your other essays) or just let the subheading (in this case V) stand alone.