1) Introductory Paragraph (2-4 sentences)

Make sure to keep your introductory paragraph concise, strong and effective. What the introductory paragraph should accomplish: Explain the issue (briefly). ho! that you understand the full complexities of the issue (for example, by recogni"ing competing interests or various factors). tate your position on the issue (!ithout the details yet).

ample template for introductory paragraph (# sentences): a) Whether ________________________ depends on _____________________. b) (Insert your opinion), __________________________.

2) First Body Paragraph (3-5 sentences) $egin to develop your position !ith your most important reason. %se one or t!o examples to back up your main point: a) The chief reason for my view is ___________________________________. b) For example, ____________________________________. c) oreover, ______________________________.

d) Finally, ________________________.

3) Second Body Paragraph Expand your position !ith a &secondary& reason. upport your rationale further !ith at least one example. tate your second reason (one only). 'rovide rationale and(or evidence to support it.

)ere*s a sample template for the second body paragraph that accomplishes these ob+ectives: a) !nother reason for my view is_____________________________. b) "pecifically,________________. c) The result is,__________________. 4) Optional hird Body Paragraph ,n this paragraph (optional) you ackno!ledge a competing vie!point or counter-argument (and rationale and(or examples that support it), and then provide rebuttals to further support your position. ,n this paragraph you !alk a tightrope, you must ackno!ledge the counter-argument, but yet deny it immediately in the next sentence and use that denial to strengthen your o!n argument. .ckno!ledge a different vie!point or a counter-argument. 'rovide rationale and(or examples that support it. 'rovide a rebuttal.

)ere*s a sample template for the third body paragraph that accomplishes the ob+ectives indicated above: a) "ome mi#ht ar#ue,_____________________________. b) $et,____________________ c) %thers mi#ht cite, __________________. d) &owever,_____________________.

5) !onclusion Paragraph ,n this paragraph you !rite a summary of your position in / to 0 sentences: tate the thrust of your position. 1estate the main points from the body of your essay.

2he concluding paragraph is not the place for ne! information or reasons. ,t is not a place to dra! ne! conclusions. a) In sum, I concur that ________________________. b) &owever,_________________' on the whole______________.