Introductory Paragraph

Step I:
◻ Introduce your topic in a general manner. This sentence should include the title and author of the
work you are writing about (i.e. The Odyssey by Homer).

◻ (Write your first introduction sentence in the box below).

Step II:
◻ Give a BRIEF background about the book.

◻ This background should broadly relate to your thesis topic, or at least allude to your thesis.

Step III:
◻ Zoom-in on your subject—what is your specific topic and state why it is important to examine

Step IV:
◻ Statement of thesis: presentation of your main point or your persuasive argument.

◻ Your thesis should map/forecast your essay, clearly detailing the topics of your three supporting
paragraphs.
 Body Paragraph One
Step I:
◻ Presentation of your topic sentence (this is the thesis of your body paragraph. It supports your main
thesis).
◻ This sentence sets the topic and tone for the paragraph.

Step II:
◻ Next, you want to contextualize your quote and then introduce your quote.
◻ This can be done in one or two sentences.
◻ You must weave text/quote into your own writing, cannot simply plop quote into paragraph.

Step III:
◻ Explanation of your evidence: how does your evidence relate to this paragraph’s topic/thesis
sentence?

Step IV:
◻ Introduce second quote. Again, you want to contextualize your quote and then introduce your
quote.
◻ This can be done in one or two sentences.
◻ You must weave text/quote into your own writing, cannot simply plop quote into paragraph.

Step V:
◻ Explanation of your evidence: how does your evidence relate to this paragraph’s topic/thesis
sentence?
Step VI
◻ Conclude paragraph: you want to restate paragraph thesis in different words and transition to next
paragraph.

Body Paragraph Two

Step I:
◻ Presentation of your topic Sentence (this is the thesis of your body paragraph. It supports your main
thesis).
◻ This sentence sets the topic and tone for the paragraph.

Step II:
◻ Next, you want to contextualize your quote and then introduce your quote.
◻ This can be done in one or two sentences.
◻ You must weave text/quote into your own writing, cannot simply plop quote into paragraph.

Step III:
◻ Explanation of your evidence: how does your evidence relate to this paragraph’s topic/thesis
sentence?

Step IV:
◻ Introduce second quote. Again, you want to contextualize your quote and then introduce your
quote.
◻ This can be done in one or two sentences.
◻ You must weave text/quote into your own writing, cannot simply plop quote into paragraph.
Step V:
◻ Explanation of your evidence: how does your evidence relate to this paragraph’s topic/thesis
sentence?

Step VI
◻ Conclude paragraph: you want to restate paragraph thesis in different words and transition to next
paragraph.

Body Paragraph Three

Step I:
◻ Presentation of your topic Sentence (this is the thesis of your body paragraph. It supports your main
thesis).
◻ This sentence sets the topic and tone for the paragraph.

Step II:
◻ Next, you want to contextualize your quote and then introduce your quote.
◻ This can be done in one or two sentences.
◻ You must weave text/quote into your own writing, cannot simply plop quote into paragraph.
Step III:
◻ Explanation of your evidence: how does your evidence relate to this paragraph’s topic/thesis
sentence?

Step IV:
◻ Introduce second quote. Again, you want to contextualize your quote and then introduce your
quote.
◻ This can be done in one or two sentences.
◻ You must weave text/quote into your own writing, cannot simply plop quote into paragraph.

Step V:
◻ Explanation of your evidence: how does your evidence relate to this paragraph’s topic/thesis
sentence?

Step VI
◻ Conclude paragraph: you want to restate paragraph thesis in different words and transition to next
paragraph.

Conclusion
Step I:
◻ Summary of topics discussed, usually a synthesis of your topic sentences
Step II:
◻ Restatement of your thesis/argument with a new confidently worded spin

Step III:
◻ Why does your paper matter?
◻ This is where you take 2-4 sentences to discuss why this is:
o Important to our study of the book
o Important to our understanding of the world
◻ You should consider the following when trying to determine the big picture:
o What is the author trying to teach the reader?
o How does this relate to modern day society?
o How does your paper relate to era in which the book was written?
o Does your argument reveal how certain people or groups of people were treated?
o Etc.