Par.

Par. 2

Par. 3

Par. 4

Par. 5

TITLE: My Goals for this Semester

Topic sentence with point of view: There are many goals I have for this semester.
a. Body, 1st main idea or keyword
<---(Main ideas are reasons for your P.O.V.)
b. Body, 2nd main idea or keyword} Body describes your 3 goals (keywords)
c. Body, 3rd main idea or keyword
(If you agree or disagree with the topic, state why)
Conclusion for this paragraph: These are the goals I have for this semester. (& give specific information about your reasons)
Topic sentence for first main idea: First Goal
a. Body, 1st supporting detai1 or example
b. Body, 2nd supporting detail or example} Body describes your 1st goal
c. Body, 3rd supporting detail or example
(Details/Examples answer reporters questions)
Conclusion for this paragraph
(Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How)
Topic sentence for second main idea: Second Goal
a. Body, 1st supporting detail or example
b. Body, 2nd supporting detail or example} Body describes your 2nd goal
c. Body, 3rd supporting detail or example
Conclusion for this paragraph
Topic sentence for third main idea: Third Goal
a. Body, 1st supporting detail or example
b. Body, 2nd supporting detail or example} Body describes your 3rd goal
c. Body, 3rd supporting detail or example
Conclusion for this paragraph
(Summary which contains essay topic, and sentences for main ideas)
Topic sentence (reword Par. 1 T.S.): I have many goals for this semester.
a. Body: reword conclusion from Par. 2
b. Body: reword conclusion from Par. 3
c. Body: reword conclusion from Par. 4
Conclusion for this paragraph also helps close the entire essay: In my opinion, or In conclusion, or Finally, these are
the goals I have for this semester.

TITLE OF G.E.D. EXAMPLE ESSAY: My Goals for this Semester

There are many goals I have for this semester. I need to improve my study habits. Attendance to class
every day is necessary. Having all of my supplies is important in the class. These are the goals I have for this
semester.
It is very important to have good study habits. Time will be wasted if I am unorganized. Spending too
much time on one subject will leave little time for other subjects. Marking and charting my time will be valuable.
Therefore, it is important that good study habits are established.
Attending class every day is necessary to keep up with the class. The instructor gives much important
information each day. Being in class each day gives me the opportunity to be exposed to ideas from other students.
These are the reasons attending class every day is important.
Having the necessary supplies for class work is important. Checking for the necessary items prior to class
will keep me from forgetting my supplies. Knowing what is needed and required will make my class smoother.
These are the reasons for having the necessary supplies for the class.
There are many goals I have for this semester. It is important to have good study habits. Attendance to
class every day is very important. It is very important to have all of the necessary supplies. In conclusion, these
are the goals I have for this semester.

P.1

4
P.2

TOPIC: The traditional family has changed in many ways. Explain why, and give examples.
OUTLINE FOR ESSAY TOPIC: Changes in the Traditional Family
Topic Sentence/Thesis Statement: Statement about changes in the traditional family
a. 1st main idea, keyword #1: Single Parents
b. 2nd main idea, keyword #2: House Fathers
c. 3rd main idea, keyword #3: Working Mothers
Conclusion: Changes in the traditional family
Topic Sentence for 1st Main Idea: Single Parents
a. Detail/Example: Divorce
b. Detail/Example: Death
c. Detail/Example: By Choice
d. Detail/Example: Adoption
Conclusion for 1st Main Idea: Reasons single-parent households are increasing

P. 3
6
P. 4
8

P. 5
10

Topic Sentence for 2nd Main Idea: House Fathers (Mr. Mom?)
a. Detail/Example: Lost Job
b. Detail/Example: Handicapped
c. Detail/Example: Choice (Retired, etc.)
d. Detail/Example: Student
7
Conclusion for 2nd Main Idea: Reasons house fathers are more numerous today
Topic Sentence for 3rd Main Idea: Working Mothers
a. Detail/Example: Economics
b. Detail/Example: Choice (Bored, etc.)
c. Detail/Example: Divorce
9 d. Detail/Example: Professional
Conclusion for 3rd Main Idea: Reasons more mothers work outside of the household today
Reword Topic Sentence from Paragraph 1
a. Reword Conclusion from Paragraph 2
11 b. Reword Conclusion from Paragraph 3
12 c. Reword Conclusion from Paragraph 4
13 Conclusion, Re-word Thesis Statement: Changes in the traditional family

Changes in the Traditional Family (by M. T. Clark)

Fifty years ago, the traditional father worked while the traditional mother stayed home and reared children;
however, in the twenty-first century, that old-fashioned type of family structure has become nearly obsolete. In
America, many more single parents are successfully rearing children than in the past. Also, more house fathers are
taking primary responsibility for their children, such as shown by Michael Keaton in the humorous movie, Mr.
Mom. On the other hand, more working mothers are successfully juggling both family and work. These are some
examples of the changes that have occurred in the traditional family.
Today many single people are parents. The main cause of single parents is the high divorce rate; half of
American marriages end in divorce. Also, many parents are single because of the other spouses death.
Additionally, some parents are single by choice; many women decide to have children even though they dont have
a husband. On the other hand, some never-married singles have become parents by adoption; these people may
have been unable to have children, or just unable to find a suitable spouse. These are some of the reasons why
single-parent families have been increasing.
Some house fathers take care of children; these are fathers who stay home with the children while the
mother earns the money. One of the main causes of house fathers is job loss; people once aspired to work for the
same company an entire lifetime, but now layoffs and plant closures are a common occurrence. Another related
cause is handicapped status, possibly because of work-related injuries; the father may have to stay home in order to
receive workmans compensation even though he would prefer to work, at least part-time. Some fathers stay at
home by choice; perhaps they have reached retirement age before the mothers. Other fathers are students; they are
going to college or vocational school to get training for a new career. These are some of the reasons why house
fathers are more numerous today.
Mothers work outside the home for a number of reasons. Because of inflation in our economy, two parents
must work in order to make a sufficient amount of money to raise children. Other mothers work by choice;
perhaps they are bored, or else they just need to get away from their children for a few hours! Many mothers work
because they have to; after going through bitter divorces, they are left without child support by deadbeat dads who
really dont care about their children. Professional career women often want to have their babies and then get back
to work as soon as possible; otherwise, their companies may consider them to be on the Mommy Track, which
prevents them from career advancement. These are some of the reasons why more mothers work outside of the
home today.
Its obvious that parents today often DONT resemble the traditional two-parent families shown on the old
TV programs Leave It to Beaver or Father Knows Best. Single-parent families are on the increase. House fathers
take care of the children and do the housework while the mother makes the living. Many mothers work outside the
home, usually for very good reasons. These are the most typical changes in the traditional family.
(around 540 words)
Revised 15 September 2009