Essay Template

I.                    THE INTRODUCTION begins broadly to capture the reader’s attention and narrows the topic down as it proceeds.

a.       Sentence 1, the topic sentence and the hook for the whole paper, grabs the reader’s attention and introduces the broad, overarching subject of the essay.  It may highlight why the topic matters to the writer and the reader.

b.      Sentence 2, concrete detail, introduces the reader to the author and text the paper will employ in its discussion of the topic and may include the first example (a quotation, summary, or paraphrase) of how the author and text relate to the subject.

c.       Sentence 3 connects the topic to the text and narrows the topic down to something more specific, perhaps explaining the theme (the author’s take on the topic).

d.      Sentence 4 offers the writer’s preliminary commentary about the topic and theme and foreshadows the thesis.

e.       Sentence 5, the thesis statement, encapsulates the topic, or subjects, of the paper, and makes the writer’s unique commentary (e.g. interpretations, analyses, insights) about the topic(s) or theme(s) explicit.

                                                               i.      Alternatively, sentences 3, 4, and 5 may constitute a multi-sentence thesis wherein each foreshadows one of the major points of the essay.  Nevertheless, the final sentence of the introduction should come to the main point.

 

II.                 BODY PARAGRAPHS develop and support some aspect of the thesis in detail.

a.       Sentence 1, the topic sentence, resembles a mini-thesis for a paragraph.  It must contain the subject and a comment that the rest of the paragraph will address.

b.      Sentence 2, concrete detail (e.g. quotation, paraphrase, summary, plot reference) that relates to the topic sentence and the thesis.  Remember to introduce quotations; don’t simply plug them in.  Identify the speaker and to whom they speak.  Examples:

                                                               i.      Reb Saunders tells Danny through Reuven, “You are a man, but it will be years before you understand my words.  Perhaps you will never understand them.  But hear me out, and have patience” (Potok 284).

                                                             ii.      “A man must fill his life with meaning,” Mr. Malter tells his son, Reuven, “meaning is not automatically given to life” (Potok 217).

c.       Sentence 3 contains commentary about sentence 2.

d.      Sentence 4 contains additional commentary about sentence 2.

e.       Sentence 5 contains another concrete detail that relates to the topic sentence (see II.b.).

f.        Sentence 6 contains commentary about sentence 5.

g.       Sentence 7 contains additional commentary about sentence 5.

h.       Sentence 8, the concluding sentence, wraps up the main point of the body paragraph and may lead towards the next point.  It does not repeat key words.  The final body paragraph may lead to the conclusion.

 

III.               BODY PARAGRAPH 2

 

IV.              BODY PARAGRAPH 3

 

V.                 The CONCLUSION consists entirely of commentary, and it may sum up your ideas, reflect on the essay, or make a personal statement about the essay.  It does not repeat key words from the thesis or the body paragraphs, but instead makes inferences about the ramifications of thinking about the main points.  Most importantly, a good conclusion explains the “so what?” question and makes the relevance of the essay apparent to the reader.  In other words, why does this discussion matter and what can the reader get out of thinking about the essay’s topic in the way the writer has proposed?  The conclusion must contain at least five sentences with each building up to the final point that the writer wants to leave the reader thinking about.

A Conclusion Should

  • stress the importance of the thesis statement,
  • give the essay a sense of completeness, and
  • leave a final impression on the reader.

Suggestions

  • Answer the question "So What?"

Show your readers why this paper was important. Show them that your paper was meaningful and useful.

  • Synthesize, don't summarize
    • Don't simply repeat things that were in your paper. They have read it. Show them how the points you made and the support and examples you used were not random, but fit together.
  • Redirect your readers
    • Give your reader something to think about, perhaps a way to use your paper in the "real" world. If your introduction went from general to specific, make your conclusion go from specific to general. Think globally.
  • Create a new meaning
    • You don't have to give new information to create a new meaning. By demonstrating how your ideas work together, you can create a new picture. Often the sum of the paper is worth more than its parts.

A Few Strategies…

  • Challenging the reader: By issuing a challenge to your readers, you are helping them to redirect the information in the paper, and they may apply it to their own lives.

Example

Though serving on a jury is not only a civic responsibility but also an interesting experience, many people still view jury duty as a chore that interrupts their jobs and the routine of their daily lives. However, juries are part of America's attempt to be a free and just society. Thus, jury duty challenges us to be interested and responsible citizens.

  • Looking to the future: Looking to the future can emphasize the importance of your paper or redirect the readers' thought process. It may help them apply the new information to their lives or see things more globally.

Example

Without well-qualified teachers, schools are little more than buildings and equipment. If higher-paying careers continue to attract the best and the brightest students, there will not only be a shortage of teachers, but the teachers available may not have the best qualifications. Our youth will suffer. And when youth suffers, the future suffers.