1. Step 1: Think of a thesis and then write it as clearly as you possibly can. Your thesis statement should be something which a person can either agree or disagree with – not something which is simply true or false. Note: It often takes 3 or more revisions to make an idea into an effective thesis statement. Writing an Effective Paper Thesis Statement

2. Come up with 3 to 4 main ideas that support your thesis and which can be backed up with concrete evidence. These will form your body paragraphs. Come up with the strongest 1 or 2 points somebody arguing against your idea would likely use. This will comprise your Devil’s Advocate paragraph. Step 2: Writing an Effective Paper Thesis Statement Supporting Idea #1 Supporting Idea #2 Supporting Idea #3 “Devil’s Advocate” Idea(s)

3. Hunt for evidence. For each idea from step 2, you’ll need 2 pieces of evidence for an English paper and 4 pieces of evidence for a social science or science paper. Thesis Statement Supporting Idea #1 Supporting Idea #2 Supporting Idea #3 “Devil’s Advocate” Idea(s) Evidence 1: Evidence 2: Evidence 3: Evidence 4: Evidence 1: Evidence 2: Evidence 3: Evidence 4: Evidence 1: Evidence 2: Evidence 3: Evidence 4: Step 3: Writing an Effective Paper

4. Step 4: Writing an Effective Paper Start by filling in the red parts of your paper: Hook Summarize Supporting Ideas 1, 2, and 3 Thesis Statement Supporting Idea Intro Commentary x1 Evidence x2 Commentary x1 Evidence x2 MiniConclusion Devil’s Advocate Idea(s) Commentary + Evidence Intro Body Conclusion *Ratio of Commentary to Evidence is reversed in English usually. x3

5. Step 5: Writing an Effective Paper Then, write the black parts: Hook Summarize Supporting Ideas 1, 2, and 3 Thesis Statement Supporting Idea Intro Commentary x1 Evidence x2 Commentary x1 Evidence x2 MiniConclusion Devil’s Advocate Idea(s) Commentary + Evidence Intro Body Conclusion x3 *Ratio of Commentary to Evidence is reversed in English usually.

6. Step 6: Writing an Effective Paper Last, cut and paste your intro into your conclusion: Hook Summarize Supporting Ideas 1, 2, and 3 Thesis Statement Supporting Idea Intro Commentary x1 Evidence x2 Commentary x1 Evidence x2 MiniConclusion Devil’s Advocate Idea(s) Commentary + Evidence Intro Body Conclusion *Ratio of Commentary to Evidence is reversed in English usually. x3

7. Step 7: Writing an Effective Paper To finish, turn your conclusion into an effective wrap up… -Reword the hook and the summary of supporting evidence and make it about 3 sentences. -Mention the arguments made and answered in your devil’s advocate paragraph. -Conclude with a restatement of your thesis statement using stronger language. Conclusion:

8. Step 8: Writing an Effective Paper Finishing Touches Title Page Cite Sources / Bibliography Proof Read Peer Review and Revise Proof Read Again