Help on Writing an Essay
Outline of a Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence: A topic sentence is the main argument for the paragraph. It is one part of your thesis.
Evidence #1: Remember to introduce the quote. The best evidence is a direct quote, but sometimes you want to paraphrase the author. Always include an in-text citation like: (Doc. A) or use MLA In-text Citation:
book: (Author page #) example: (Smith 241)
website: (Author simplified website) example: (Williams ushistory.org)
Analysis #1: This is the most important part of your essay because this is where you are arguing how your evidence proves your thesis/ topic sentence.
Things you can say in your analysis:
-Explain what the author means
-Explain the context of the quote
-Explain how the evidence can relate to today or other events/topics in history
-Most importantly: Describe how the evidence supports your thesis/ topic sentence
-Only if it applies: Give your opinion about the issue discussed in the quote/evidence
-Only if it applies: Explain the significance/importance of the evidence or the issue
Then transition to:
Evidence #2
Analysis #2
Concluding Sentence: Restate your topic sentence in a different way & summarize how the evidence proves
your point. Then transition into the next paragraph.
Topic Sentence: A topic sentence is the main argument for the paragraph. It is one part of your thesis.
Evidence #1: Remember to introduce the quote. The best evidence is a direct quote, but sometimes you want to paraphrase the author. Always include an in-text citation like: (Doc. A) or use MLA In-text Citation:
book: (Author page #) example: (Smith 241)
website: (Author simplified website) example: (Williams ushistory.org)
Analysis #1: This is the most important part of your essay because this is where you are arguing how your evidence proves your thesis/ topic sentence.
Things you can say in your analysis:
-Explain what the author means
-Explain the context of the quote
-Explain how the evidence can relate to today or other events/topics in history
-Most importantly: Describe how the evidence supports your thesis/ topic sentence
-Only if it applies: Give your opinion about the issue discussed in the quote/evidence
-Only if it applies: Explain the significance/importance of the evidence or the issue
Then transition to:
Evidence #2
Analysis #2
Concluding Sentence: Restate your topic sentence in a different way & summarize how the evidence proves
your point. Then transition into the next paragraph.
Other tips:
Don’t use “I” “you” or “we.”
Instead of saying “I think that the Reign of Terror was unnecessary because…” just say: “The Reign of Terror was unnecessary because…”
Instead of saying “We should not view others as inferior” just say “People should not view others as inferior”
Instead of saying “You will recognize that ….” just say “One will recognize that…”
Don’t say “don’t.” Instead say do not. (No contractions: isn’t, aren’t, wasn’t, weren’t)
Don’t use the word “quote.” Don’t say “The quote is saying…” or “In the quote…”
Don’t use the word “basically.” Also: Remember Neat Handwriting
Always assume that the reader knows nothing about the topic, so make sure to explain the topic well.
Remember to use transitions when changing topics, changing from one piece of evidence to another, and when changing from one paragraph to another.
Examples: -In addition,… -Also,… -Another… -Additionally… -Moreover… -Consequently…
Remember that your essay is not a story. It’s an argument that you back up with evidence.
Don’t give evidence that goes against your argument unless you are going to disprove it
MLA Works Cited:
for Electronic Sources (Web Publications) see: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08
Don’t use “I” “you” or “we.”
Instead of saying “I think that the Reign of Terror was unnecessary because…” just say: “The Reign of Terror was unnecessary because…”
Instead of saying “We should not view others as inferior” just say “People should not view others as inferior”
Instead of saying “You will recognize that ….” just say “One will recognize that…”
Don’t say “don’t.” Instead say do not. (No contractions: isn’t, aren’t, wasn’t, weren’t)
Don’t use the word “quote.” Don’t say “The quote is saying…” or “In the quote…”
Don’t use the word “basically.” Also: Remember Neat Handwriting
Always assume that the reader knows nothing about the topic, so make sure to explain the topic well.
Remember to use transitions when changing topics, changing from one piece of evidence to another, and when changing from one paragraph to another.
Examples: -In addition,… -Also,… -Another… -Additionally… -Moreover… -Consequently…
Remember that your essay is not a story. It’s an argument that you back up with evidence.
Don’t give evidence that goes against your argument unless you are going to disprove it
MLA Works Cited:
for Electronic Sources (Web Publications) see: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08