“Quick-Fix Workshop”Communications Centre

The Essay Outline

• After conducting a close reading of the text and highlighting important points, which focus on your topic, you need to construct an Essay Outline.

• An outline is meant to be a 'framework' or skeleton, which you refer to when writing your essay.

• Using point form, construct an essay outline.

Introduction

• The quotation you intend to use to open your essay

• Brainstorm -- provide some point form notes, which analyze this quotation

• The last point in this paragraph is your thesis statement

The Thesis Statement

• It states the essay's subject and purpose. It conveys the writer's point of view. You must take a position. It makes a fairly specific statement that leads to a set of main ideas and supporting details. It uses specific language and avoids vague words. It also indicates the major subdivisions of the topic.

Examples

• Literary: In Big Joe Kevin Leenders uses flagrant characters and stream of consciousness to reveal the psychological effects of racial stereotypes; the author rejects the possibility of self-preservation and suggests that dominating cultures will inevitably destroy the individual.

• Academic: "To eliminate dangerous situations for both people and animals alike, lawmakers need to ban private ownership of wild animals as pets" (Quick Access).

Body Paragraph 1 Deal with the first part of your argument in this paragraph.

• introductory sentence(follow this pattern approximately 4 times)

• point• example• analysis • concluding sentence

Body Paragraph 2

Deal with the second part of your argument in this paragraph

same as body paragraph one• introductory sentence

(follow this pattern approximately 4 times)• point• example• analysis • concluding sentence

Conclusion

• List the main points you have argued• Refer to something in your introductory

paragraph

Stick to the guides

Now, while referring to your outline, construct full sentences and build your essay. Always refer to your thesis statement to make sure that you are sticking to your plan.

Introduction

This paragraph should be engaging, strong and creative. Open with a quotation or an ideological comment, which reflects your chosen theme. Follow this with specific analysis and end the paragraph with your thesis statement. Your thesis statement should propose a precise, compact and thematic argument, which dictates the structure of your essay. Length: ¼ to ½ page.

Body Paragraphs

Body paragraphs should be substantial – actively prove your argument. Be meticulous. Organize these paragraphs logically and make sure that one flows into the next.

Begin each paragraph with a Topic Sentence. This sentence announces what will be discussed in your body paragraph. Use the analytical pattern to write the rest of the paragraph: point, example, analysis. Repeat this pattern approximately five times (or until you are have presented a convincing argument). End each body paragraph with a Concluding Sentence, which confirms what you have argued. Length: each paragraph should be ¾ to 1 page

Conclusion

This paragraph should make clear what you have argued. It should be confident, memorable and solid. Summarize your argument and your most important points. However, do not regurgitate any points exactly. End creatively. Tie up your essay by referring to something in your introductory paragraph.

Length: ¼ to ½ page.

Quotations in Your Essay

• Use specific quotations from the texts (evidence)

• Use quotation marks and citations• Specific quotations strengthen your argument

and help you prove your argument• Without them, you risk sounding vague –

paraphrasing isn’t enough

Remember

*Use the thesis statement to guide your revision. Refer to it at the end of every paragraph. If your thesis statement does not match the content and movement of each paragraph, you need to make serious revisions.