1. THE ESSAY

2. TITLE Grabs the reader’s attention and interest
Capitalize the first word and all the important words that follow
No “quotation marks”

3. INTRODUCTION Begin with a hook or attention getting sentence
Add background information on your topic
Last sentence should be your thesis statement

4. THESIS STATEMNT States the main idea of the entire paper
May mention the main points of the 3 body paragraphs
Must have a subject and an opinion
Try not to use “I”

5. BODY PARAGRAPHS
Begin with a topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph and relates to the thesis
Provide at least two sentences of details, examples, descriptions, explanations…
End with a conclusion sentence that wraps up the paragraph and relates to the topic sentence and thesis.

6. BODY PARAGRAPHS Three body paragraphs
Start with the least important reason or example in the first paragraph.
Next, the most important in the middle
End with the most important or save the best for last.

7. CONCLUSION PARAGRAPH This is your last chance to make your point.
“Mimic” the thesis statement without copying it
Refer to the ideas in the introduction to tie everything together
Offer a recommendation or suggestion
Give them something to think about

8. Detail
Detail
Detail
Reason/Ex.
Detail
Reason/Ex.
Detail
Reason/Ex.
Topic
Detail
Reason/Ex.
Detail
Detail

9. Least
Next
Most

10. Hook
Background
THESIS
LEAST
NEXT MOST
MOST
Restate
Refer
Offer

12. Timing 5 to 10 minutes brainstorming and organizing
20 to 25 minutes writing
5 minutes reading and editing