Essay and Paragraph Standards

 

An essay outline is probably the most important friend you will have while writing your essay. It is the scaffolding of your paper and the skeleton of your ideas. It is the framework by which you will write a killer essay. And frankly, it is difficult to write one without an outline.

 

When you begin writing an essay outline, use the following model as a guide:

 

            I. INTRODUCTION:

 

• BACKGROUND INFO:__________________________________________

• Thesis STATEMENT:_________________________________________

               (What you believe and what you intend to prove.)

• TOPICS:______________________________________________________

                   

 

             II. BODY PARAGRAPH 1:

 

• TOPIC SENTENCE:___________________________________________

• CITATION & EVIDENCE:______________________________________

• CiTATION & EVIDENCE: _____________________________________

• ARGUMENT:_________________________________________________

   

 

             III. BODY PARAGRAPH II:

 

• TOPIC SENTENCE:___________________________________________

• CITATION & EVIDENCE:______________________________________

• CiTATION & EVIDENCE: _____________________________________

• ARGUMENT:__________________________________________________

 

             IV. BODY PARAGRAPH III:

 

• TOPIC SENTENCE:___________________________________________

• CITATION & EVIDENCE:______________________________________

• CiTATION & EVIDENCE: _____________________________________

• ARGUMENT:__________________________________________________

 

             V. BODY PARAGRAPH IV:

 

• TOPIC SENTENCE:___________________________________________

• CITATION & EVIDENCE:______________________________________

• CiTATION & EVIDENCE: _____________________________________

• ARGUMENT:__________________________________________________

 

             VI. CONCLUSION:

 

• Reconfirmed Thesis:______________________________________

• ALTHOUGH STATEMENT:_____________________________________

 

 

Once you fill in the blanks to this outline with your topic and information, the rest is easy! Make sure to check your spelling and punctuation, and then you're good to go!
 

 

If you use this rough guide and fill in the blanks as you are researching your essay, you will find writing simple. You have all you need in front of you. It is researched and organized. All you have to do now is fill in the blanks with transition words and smooth language.