Essay Outline  

Introduction:

1^st Sentence: - introduce your topic or restate the question in a sentence.

2^nd sentence: lead toward your thesis

3^rd sentence:  Your thesis (may take more than one sentence)

I.Opinion

a.       Reason 1

                                                                           i.      Fact or explanation

                                                                         ii.      Explain how it leads to reason 2 (cause/effect, chronological)

b.      Reason 2

                                                                           i.      Fact or explanation

                                                                         ii.      Explain how it leads to reason 2 (cause/effect, chronological)

c.       Reason 3

                                                                           i.      Fact or explanation

                                                                         ii.      Explain how it leads to reason 2 (cause/effect, chronological)

A simple thesis will only list the three reasons while a sophisticated thesis will list the three reasons and supporting evidence as outlined above.

Body

I.                   1^st Body paragraph:

a.        Topic sentence of first thesis idea (IMPORTANT: go in the same order as your thesis.  Your first thesis idea is your first body paragraph and so on.)

b.      2-4 facts that support the topic sentence

c.       Explanation that specifically shows how the facts prove your idea in your topic sentence (which is in your thesis).

d.      Repeat a and b at least 3 times or until your idea is proven

e.       Last sentence is a mini thesis for this topic only.  Restate the topic and briefly list the 3 explanations (arguments) you made in this paragraph.

II.                2nd Body paragraph:

a.       Topic sentence of second thesis idea (IMPORTANT: go in the same order as your thesis.  Your second thesis idea is your second body paragraph.)

b.      2-4 facts that support the topic sentence

c.       Explanation that specifically shows how the facts prove your idea in your topic sentence (which is in your thesis).

d.      Repeat a and b at least 3 times or until your idea is proven

e.       Last sentence is a mini thesis for this topic only.  Restate the topic and briefly list the 3 explanations (arguments) you made in this paragraph.

III.             3^rd Body Paragraph

a.       Topic sentence of third thesis idea (IMPORTANT: go in the same order as your thesis.  Your third thesis idea is your third body paragraph.)

b.      2-4 facts that support the topic sentence

c.       Explanation that specifically shows how the facts prove your idea in your topic sentence (which is in your thesis).

d.      Repeat a and b at least 3 times or until your idea is proven

e.       Last sentence is a mini thesis for this topic only.  Restate the topic and briefly list the 3 explanations (arguments) you made in this paragraph.

IV.              Conclusion

a.       State your thesis as a conclusion and remind the reader of your important reasons and arguments

b.      Explain why your conclusion is important historically.