Essay Structure
   

1st Paragraph:

 INTRODUCTION

  • Attention getter (must grab audience's attention and also be related to what you'll be writing about)
 
  • Context (background information)
 
  • Thesis Statement
 
  • Optional: Include the reasons for your thesis statement. (This is a good idea to do if you want to give your audience a preview of your main points.)
   
   
2nd-Nth Paragraphs: BODY
  In each body paragraph, include...
 
  • Topic sentence with transitions
 
  • Evidence/proof/examples to prove/support your thesis
SO WHAT?
  • Explanation of evidence
  • Tie-back to thesis
 
  • As needed: Context (usually for your evidence)
   
   
Last Paragraph: CONCLUSION (check w/ your teachers about what they expect here)
 
  • Restate thesis
 
  • Call to action OR wrap up with a discussion of your thesis's larger relevance