Essay

Last name 2

Name

Professor

English 111

Date

Tentative Title of Your Essay

Introductory Paragraph

Write at least four sentences; begin by introducing your topic and end with your thesis statement

Thesis Topic + Claim + Three Main Ideas

Body Paragraphs

Main idea # 1 - Topic Sentence – include the first main idea from your thesis (the first rhetorical element you are discussing in the paragraph) as well as your claim on the effectiveness of this element in your selected speech.

a. First sub point (First support for Main idea #1)

i. Evidence (direct quote from speech with an in-text citation)

ii. Brief explanation of how this quote supports your analysis of the rhetorical element you are discussing and how it connects to the thesis

b. Second sub point (Second support for Main idea #1)

i. Evidence (direct quote from the speech with an in-text citation)

ii. Brief explanation of how this quote supports your analysis of the rhetorical element and how it connects to the thesis

(NOTE: the number of sub points will depend on how much you develop the argument, but at minimum 2 strong supports are needed to provide adequate support.)

Main idea # 2 - Transition word or phrase + Topic Sentence – include the second main idea from your thesis (the second rhetorical element you are discussing in the paragraph) as well as your claim on the effectiveness of this element in your selected speech.

a. First sub point (First support for Main idea # 2)

i. Evidence (direct quote from speech with in-text citation)

ii. Brief explanation of how this quote supports your analysis of the rhetorical element and how it connects to the thesis

b. Second sub point (Second support for Main idea # 2)

i. Evidence (direct quote from speech with in-text citation)

ii. Brief explanation of how this quote supports your analysis of the rhetorical element and how it connects to the thesis

Main idea # 3 - Transition word or phrase + Topic Sentence –include the third main idea from your thesis sentence (the third rhetorical element you are discussing in the paragraph) as well as your claim on the effectiveness of this element in your selected speech.

a. First sub point (First support for Main idea # 3)

i. Evidence (direct quote from speech with in-text citation)

ii. Brief explanation of how this quote supports your analysis of the rhetorical element and how it connects to the thesis

b. Second sub point (Second support for Main idea # 3)

i. Evidence (direct quote from speech with in-text citation)

ii. Brief explanation of how this quote supports your analysis of the rhetorical element and how it connects to the thesis

Concluding Paragraph

Explain how you will conclude the essay—Provide a connection to a universal theme, a “so what?” statement, or an epiphany “Aha!” moment. Be sure to reiterate your thesis ideas by mentioning the speech you analyzed, your claim of the speech’s effectiveness, and the rhetorical elements (main ideas) from the speech you analyzed.

Works Cited

Provide the full citation for the speech you analyzed. See  this handout  for help on MLA citations for speeches.