Essay Think Sheet #2

Name:  
Teacher, Class, & Period:

Attention Getter:
Narrowing Statement:
Thesis Statement (Main idea; what you plan to prove; should include information which would require 3 body paragraphs):

Body Paragraph#1

Topic Sentence : (general statement informing reader of content of this paragraph)
Support Sentence 1:  (introduces examples of which will follow)
Elaboration (example) #1 (this will support your topic with specific examples.)
Elaboration (example) #2 (this will support your topic with specific examples.)
Support Sentence 2: (introduces examples of which will follow)

Elaboration (example) #1 (this will support your topic with specific examples)

Elaboration (example) #2 (this will support your topic with specific examples)

Clincher sentence ("wraps up" paragraph with short reference to examples)

Body Paragraph #2

Topic Sentence:  (general statement informing reader of content of this paragraph; will include transition)
Support Sentence 1:  (introduces examples of which will follow)
Elaboration (example) #1 (this will support your topic with specific examples.)
Elaboration (example) #2 (this will support your topic with specific examples.)
Support Sentence 2: (introduces examples of which will follow)

Elaboration (example) #1 (this will support your topic with specific examples)

Elaboration (example) #2 (this will support your topic with specific examples)

Clincher sentence ("wraps up" paragraph with short reference to examples)

Body Paragraph #3

Topic Sentence:  (general statement informing reader of content of this paragraph;will include transition)
Support Sentence 1:  (introduces examples of which will follow)
:Elaboration (example) #1 (this will support your topic with specific examples.)
:Elaboration (example) #2 (this will support your topic with specific examples.)
:Support Sentence 2: (introduces examples of which will follow)

Elaboration (example) #1 (this will support your topic with specific examples)

Elaboration (example) #2 (this will support your topic with specific examples)

Clincher sentence ("wraps up" paragraph with short reference to examples)

Conclusion

Restatement of thesis (use different wording or organization):
Summary of main points:

Clincher (explains importance of essay to audience; what should audience consider after reading the essay?  
Includes writer's insights; may relate back to attention getter):
You paper will only be as strong as your outline.  A well-developed outline will help you write a well-developed essay.

Questions to ask yourself regarding your outline:

  1. Do I have a strong thesis?  Do I have 3 sub-topics included in my thesis?
  2. Do I have strong supporting details in each body paragraph?
  3. Do my supporting details for each paragraph help support the topic for THAT paragraph?
  4. Have I included a smooth transition from paragraph to paragraph?
  5. Have I included quotes?  Have I listed on my outline where the quotes are found?
  6. Do I have my facts straight?  
  7. Have I incorporated proof of what I'm emphasizing in my paper?
  8. Do I have characters' names spelled correctly?
  9. Have I written complete sentences for the attention getter, thesis, topic sentence, and closing sentence?
  10. Do I have enough information listed in my examples to make clear, strong sentences when I write my body paragraph?