Explanation of How to Write Papers and a Shell from an Example Paper

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Outline for English 111 Essay

I. Title: (Always have one.)

A. Can be creative
B. Tells the reader what to expect, either directly or indirectly
C. Might be a puzzle that reading the essay will solve

II. Introductory Paragraph: The appetizer. (Grab the attention then smoothly lead to thesis.)

A. First Sentence ideas:

1. Complete an "incomplete" title. i.e. if "Red and Yellow, Black and White…" is the title,
   then "They are precious in whose sight?" could be the first sentence of a paper on prejudice.
2. Use a quote from a song, television commercial-something interesting
3. Ask a question that makes the reader THINK or wonder.

B. Some ideas for leading from first sentence to thesis:

1. Explain the opening sentences (and title, if applicable) in the context of what
   your paper will discuss.
2. Give general descriptions of event, problem, story, etc. you are addressing or define terms.
3. Make sure the sentence before the thesis is "almost there" so your reader doesn't fall into a
   ditch getting to the thesis.

C. The THESIS Statement: (The main course menu)

1. Persuasive: must contain an assertion (what you will try to persuade the reader to believe) and two reasons A small college is an excellent choice because it offers many opportunities for involvement and allows students to know faculty personally.
2. Informative: must have the two points you will make When studying for final examinations, good students always plan a study schedule and avoid the party crowd.
3. At the English 111 level, it is best to write simple, straightforward theses.

III. The Body Paragraphs: The meal (Focus on the topic sentence and provide specific details.)

A. Topic Sentences: (The top slice of bread if the meal is a sandwich)

1. They must go DIRECTLY back to a point of the thesis, using a key word.
2. DO NOT give factual supporting information yet, but restate the broad idea that you will talk about. Example of a poor TS: "Mark always complained about his small wardrobe when, in fact, he spent time at the mall buying more outfits than most girls." This includes material that should be used later as support.
3. The point of the topic sentence is to shape the paragraph as its own entity. Someone should be able to read each paragraph separately and make sense of it without anything else.

B. Discussion and Three Examples per Paragraph: (The "meat" of the sandwich)

1. Each must support or prove the topic sentence.
2. Each must relate to your overall thesis idea.
3. Try to make them as specific as possible (i.e. not a girl, but Sara Stokes; not Some students make friends with professors, but For example, Sara Stokes often drops into Mrs. Robertson's office, and they sometimes eat lunch together in the Joust.
    
   If your first topic sentence says, Sports improve the structure of the legs, don't say that soccer is great for legs and stop at that; say HOW it is good for them. Soccer strengthens the calf muscles and improves dexterity and motion. Give details. If your topic sentence is Juices are a wonderful addition to a diet, don't say apple juice is one great juice and move on to grape juice. Say, apple juice is great because it offers Vitamin A, is easily digested, prevents dehydration, and boosts energy by offering quickly absorbed simple carbohydrates.
    
4. None of your examples should address your other thesis point. Keep your focus on three examples that prove the topic sentence in their paragraph only.
5. Use clear transitions, especially between examples, to keep the paper's ideas connected.

C. The Paragraph Closing Statement: (The bottom slice of bread)

1. The closing sentence can be as simple as "Clearly, adding juice to one's diet would be remarkably beneficial." Essentially, you are restating the topic sentence's idea with a finality added, as if those are the last words that need to be uttered about the matter well as interesting.
2. The clincher should NOT pertain only to the final example used.

IV. The Conclusion: (The dessert)

A. The first sentence:

1. This is to draw the reader back into the big picture and should restate your thesis with a hint that it has been proven somehow. Thus, students who want to be something more than a number in college should select a small school.
2. This also gives the reader a time to realize the essay is ending and to relax after reading so much information.

B. The body of the conclusion:

1. Use the same techniques you would use for an introduction, including stories, quotes, etc., except instead of leading into your argument, lead out of it this time.
2. Do not bring up a brand new point that should be proven.
3. Reflect upon what you have said in your paper. Consider applying the main ideas to everyday life if it works for your topic.
4. This is where you need to make your final impact and make the ideas "stick" in the reader's mind. Try to be creative enough to retain the interest of the reader, and lean towards a dramatic approach if it is possible-this will make the body's information more vivid.
5. Don't neglect the conclusion-it is the last thing read, so it is the final judge of quality.

C. The Last Sentence:

1. This is one of the three most crucial sentences in your paper-work to get it good!
2. This is called a "clincher" because it wraps up and finalizes every sentence that has preceded it. Make it somewhat short.
3. Make it memorable-if the reader would look and say "Well, OK," then you need to change it. Instead, the reader should say "Wow" or "That is intriguing" or at least "That is a good way to put it all together."
4. Consider referring back to your very first sentence and title (which should be "Wow" statements already) and make a strong final statement using their ideas.

An Overview:
Consider your paper a three-course meal for the mind. The introduction is the appetizer (whets the appetite, gets a reader's interest for the rest of the meal). The body is the main course-should be filling, should have lots of "flavor" (should not be dull), and should give ample "calories" (details, facts, descriptions-the part that fills the person's mind). Finally, the conclusion is the dessert. It should make the person feel as if the "meal" has been topped off with something wonderful and satisfying. Assuming you had a gourmet appetizer (intro) and gourmet main course (body), the dessert should not be Jello (simple repetition of your main ideas or a fluff of words that are too-easily digested). Make it something to savor. The conclusion is what will decide the final report on the "meal," because if it is not satisfying and rich, then the entire "meal" is often ruined.

Written by Write Place Staff member, Laura Kennedy Butler (with slight inclusions and editing by faculty director)

Shell of an Example Paper - refer to the keyhole

Opening sentence grabs attention Thesis maps paper	Mary stepped aside as the young man surged forward to open the door for her. But then as the door slammed in her face, she realized that he was simply trying to beat her inside out of the rain ... Incivility has become the norm in today's American culture as evidenced on the highways, in the dating scene, and during public performances and services.
1st topic sentence transitions and examples with comments Clincher/ summary	Drivers are often rude to other drivers. It is not uncommon to see ... For example, just yesterday I observed a man ... Such behavior causes ... Another situation recently reported in the paper involved ... An even more unbelievable act occurred ... Such uncivil behavior on American highways reflects a change for the worst in behavior codes.
2nd topic sentence transitions, examples and comments Clincher/summary	Not only are people often rude to total strangers, they are becoming more rude to those they wish to impress as dates. One woman experienced ... Such behavior seems ... Furthermore, an Evangel man's date actually ... Twenty years ago such behavior would ... Also, people are sometimes downright rude. For instance, ... Such incivility in people looking for relationships may bring about many nights watching television alone.
3rd topic sentence transition, examples, comments	The most obvious evidence of uncivil behavior is seen in public ceremonies and gatherings. A prime example occurred at my graduation ceremony when These people did not seem to ... Even at sacred religious services such behavior ... Recently in church, for instance, I saw ...Today one can expect a great deal of movement, noise, and shocking apparel even in the most important and sacred events.
Thesis paraphrased Strong final sentences	Today in America rude, crude behavior is beginning to seem almost normal... Will the day come when fights routinely break out at graduation ceremonies, brides and grooms chew gum throughout their weddings, and cars contain PA systems to amplify guttural words? Probably so if we keep heading in our current direction.