1. An analytical essay: What does it look like?

3. Follow with EVIDENCE
Facts
Paraphrasing
Quotes

4. And your OPINION

5. Finish the paragraph with your THESIS STATEMENT (the point...)

6. In the body paragraphs:

7. Follow with commentary

8. and evidence

9. In the concluding paragraph:
Restate the THESIS
Restate main points from body paragraphs 1, 2, and 3
Add commentary where needed
Give final thoughts and opinions

10. So this is what you need to do:

11. It looks like this: I. Introduction II. Body Paragraph #1
III. Body paragraph #2
IV. Body paragraph #3
V. Conclusion

12. Character
If you were writing an essay about a character, the thesis statement would include three traits.
Each body paragraph would expand upon a trait.
You would decide before hand which trait should go first, second, and third based upon the strengths of your arguments and the amount of evidence you have to support yourself.

13. Theme
If you were writing about a theme you would include what you feel is the theme in your thesis statement.
In each body paragraph you would discuss one aspect of the theme.
You would organize your body paragraphs based upon the strength of your arguments. (sound familiar?)

14. Persuasive So you want to convince me of your opinion?
Include a clear statement of your opinion in your thesis statement.
Choose one of the following two options:
In each body paragraph give a point that illustrates why your opinion is valid, then give a possible counter argument, discussing why it is NOT valid. OR
In the first two body paragraphs give two solid reasons in support of your thesis and in the last body paragraph give the counter argument and the evidence as to why it is not valid.

15. How about research? Yeah… In the first part discuss your topic.
In the middle: Each section analyzes one piece of the topic in depth
In the end: give your final thoughts and discuss your conclusions.
Hmmm…plug and play kids, plug and play!

16. So there you go…
Now GET TO IT!