1. Body Paragraph

2. Topic Sentence
(sentence 1)
State the topic of this particular paragraph

3. Body Paragraph Example – Option 3
One major cause of teenage pregnancy is being uneducated about the consequences of unprotected sex.

4. Assertion
(sentence 2)
state your specific point to support your topic sentence

5. Introduction Example – Option 3
Often times teens are not aware of how to be safe if they plan on having sex. They have not had to talk with their parents about this important issue.

6. Evidence (sentence 3) Use a direct quote from your source.
State the title of the article and the author’s name (if there is an author) when introducing the source.
( )  cite the quote. Put only the author’s last name, no page number.
If there is no author put the title of the article in parenthesis. If the title is very long you are allowed to shorten it.
If your quote is more than four typed sentences long you need to have a blocked quote. See your packet for instruction on blocked quotes.

7. Introduction Example – Option 3
In the article “Teenage Pregnancy” author Jane Wilson states, “Many parents are afraid of talking to their children about sex and so teens remain uneducated about the risks, which often leads to them having unprotected sex” (Wilson).

8. Elaboration
(sentences 4-5)
explain how the evidence proves the assertion. Start with “This evidence shows …”

9. Introduction Example – Option 3
This evidence shows that parents being afraid to talk to their children about sex leads to them not understanding the consequences and repercussions of having sex. Not understanding the consequences can lead to them having unprotected sex, which inevitably leads to pregnancy.

10. Clincher/Conclusion Sentence
sum up this paragraph
connecting to your thesis

11. Introduction Example – Option 3
It may be uncomfortable and embarrassing for parents to talk to their children, however the facts prove that not talking to their kids about this important issues can indeed lead to an unwanted pregnancy.

12. Transition
Lack of education is not the only cause of teenage pregnancy.