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Essay Outline

Essay Outline. Introduction. Your introduction must include the following: An opening statement Try to begin your essay with an opening statement that captures the reader’s attention and makes them want to read more. Example:

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Essay Outline

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  1. Essay Outline

  2. Introduction Your introduction must include the following: • An opening statement • Try to begin your essay with an opening statement that captures the reader’s attention and makes them want to read more. • Example: A man of unquestioned integrity, he took his role as the symbol of American virtue seriously.

  3. Introduction • Thesis Statement • You must include a thesis statement in your introduction. • It is the focus of your essay. It tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the essay. • A single sentence somewhere in your first paragraph that presents your argument to the reader. The rest of the paper, the body of the essay, gathers and organizes evidence that will persuade the reader of the logic of your interpretation. In other words, it tells the reader what you are going to “prove”.

  4. Thesis Statement Not So Good Thesis Statement: George Washington’s integrity and strong leadership abilities made him the greatest president in American history. I think that maybe George Washington was kind of a good president most of the time. Good Thesis Statement: What makes the “good” thesis statement better than the “not so good” thesis statement?

  5. Another example of a good thesis statement: While both Northerners and Southerners believed they fought against tyranny and oppression, Northerners focused on the oppression of slaves while Southerners defended their own right to self-government.

  6. How do I know if my thesis is strong? • Does it clearly explain the focus of the essay? • Have I taken a position that others might challenge or oppose? If your thesis simply states facts that no one would, or even could, disagree with, it’s possible that you are simply providing a summary, rather than making an argument. • Is my thesis statement specific enough?

  7. Introduction • Your three or four subtopics/arguments • You must introduce your subtopics in your introduction. • It tells the reader how you are going to prove your thesis. • Don’t give too much information about your subtopics in your introduction. Save it for the body of your essay.

  8. Examples: • Natural leadership abilities • A man of integrity • He saved the Republic • His legacy

  9. Introduction • Historical Setting • In a history essay, you should give a historical setting fact in your introduction to let the reader know what time period your essay is about. Example: George Washington was commander in chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution and was the first president of the United States (1789-1797).

  10. The Body of the Essay: Development • In an essay of this size, you should have 3 or 4 subtopics (arguments, main points) to support/prove your thesis. More than that and your essay will be unfocused, less than that means you will not be able to successfully support/prove your thesis.

  11. Body of the Essay • Each paragraph should begin with a topic sentence to let the reader know what that paragraph is about (the subtopic you will be talking about in that paragraph). Example: During his eight years as president, George Washington created a legacy that has continued for more than 200 years after his death.

  12. Body of Essay • Use evidence/facts to support your subtopic/argument. In other words, use history to prove your point. Examples: • Washington established the first court system, the first system of taxation, the first national mint, and put together the first banking system • He passed the Bill of Rights • He established the cabinet

  13. Body of Essay • Before moving on to the next subtopic, you must end your paragraph with a statement that sums up the subtopic you discussed in your paragraph and connects it back to your thesis. Example: Washington’s legacy made him one of the most beloved and respected figures in American history and is only one of the many reasons why he is considered the greatest American president in the history of the United States.

  14. Body of Essay • Do the same thing for each of your arguments.

  15. Conclusion • You must restate your thesis and your subtopics in your conclusion.

  16. Conclusion • Try to end your essay with a statement that leaves the reader with some “food for thought”. In other words, leave them with something to reflect upon or think about. Example: George Washington’s legacy can not be underestimated. He set the standard that all American presidents are compared to. It is unfortunate that America has had so few presidents that measure up.

  17. This is a formal essay so please do not use the first person tense (I, me, my, etc.) • Avoid using contractions (Don’t, can’t, isn’t, etc.) • Do not use slang (Compared to the George Washington, all the other presidents sucked.) • Be sure to provide all of the essential information and leave out information that is not relevant to your thesis (For example, George Washington’s shoe size doesn’t prove that he was a good American president.)

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