Outlines and Samples

What's in Each Paragraph??

Introduction Paragraph

1. Attention-Getter (ask a question, include a startling fact, quote your text...)

2. Background (1-2 sentences where you lay out the broad view of the topic...)

3. Thesis Statement (Your ONE SENTENCE main idea of the whole essay...everything else relates back to this!)

4. Preview of Points (1 sentence where you summarize the topic sentences that are to come.)

Body Paragraphs

1. Topic Sentence (usually first sentence, but can show up last, and occasionally in the middle of the paragraph).

2.  Evidence/Support (a quotation, paraphrase, statistic...)

3.  Explanation (why does your evidence support your topic sentence and thesis?  This part is the majority of your paragraph).

Conclusion Paragraph

1. Summary of main points. (Re-word your preview of points!)

2.  Restatement of thesis (different wording, same idea).

3.  Clincher ending (often relates to attention-getter).

How to write a Thesis Statement from a Topic

Writing Thesis Statements Practice Sheet

ICE Method of Using Quotations 

By Purpose

(expository, persuasive, descriptive, narrative)

Types of Essays/Speeches, by Purpose

Personal Essay (or speech)

The Personal Essay (definition, examples, other links, from thought.co)

How to Bring Your Voice to Life in Personal Essays (Writer's Digest) 

College Application Tips: Tackling the Personal Essay (ABC News)

Literary Essay

How to write a Literary Analysis Essay (involved, but good, from Bucks.edu)

Parts of a Literary Essay (great outlines from udc.edu)

Persuasive Essay (or speech)

      Persuasive Essay Examples (AcademicHelp)

    How to Write a Persuasive Essay (Time4Writing)

    How to Write a Persuasive Essay (WikiHow)

Expository Essay (or speech)

    Expository vs. Persuasive Writing (PPT from Midland ISD)

    Expository Essays (OWL at Purdue)

    Expository vs. Persuasive Writing (PPT from GwinnettK12)

Process Essay (or speech)

    How to Write a Process Essay (WikiHow)

By Purpose & Audience

Purpose & Audience 

(to inform, to entertain, to persuade, to tell a story, to explain a process, etc.)

Purpose and Audience PPT (Slideshare)

• How to Write a Persuasive Essay (Wikihow)

• Persuasive Essay: The Basics (Hamilton.edu)

• The Persuasive Essay (Essayinfo...great, simple resource)

• Persuasive Essays (SUPERB comprehensive resource from Time4Writing)

• Cause and Effect Essay (essayinfo)

• 4 Ways to Write a Comparison/Contrast Essay (WikiHow, with great graphics) 

• Two Methods for C/C Papers: Block or Point-by-Point (712 Educators)