Writing Resources
Help on Writing an EssayOutline of a Body Paragraph
Topic Sentence: A topic sentence is the main argument for the paragraph. It is one part of your thesis.
Evidence #1: Remember to introduce the quote. The best evidence is a direct quote, but sometimes you want to paraphrase the author. Always include an in-text citation like: (Doc. A) or use MLA In-text Citation:
book: (Author page #) example: (Smith 241)
website: (Author simplified website) example: (Williams ushistory.org)
Analysis #1: This is the most important part of your essay because this is where you are arguing how your evidence proves your thesis/ topic sentence.
Things you can say in your analysis:
-Explain what the author means
-Explain the context of the quote
-Explain how the evidence can relate to today or other events/topics in history
-Most importantly: Describe how the evidence supports your thesis/ topic sentence
-Only if it applies: Give your opinion about the issue discussed in the quote/evidence
-Only if it applies: Explain the significance/importance of the evidence or the issue
Then transition to:
Evidence #2
Analysis #2
Concluding Sentence: Restate your topic sentence in a different way & summarize how the evidence proves
your point. Then transition into the next paragraph.
Other tips:
Don’t use “I” “you” or “we.”
Instead of saying “I think that the Reign of Terror was unnecessary because…” just say: “The Reign of Terror was unnecessary because…”
Instead of saying “We should not view others as inferior” just say “People should not view others as inferior”
Instead of saying “You will recognize that ….” just say “One will recognize that…”
Don’t say “don’t.” Instead say do not. (No contractions: isn’t, aren’t, wasn’t, weren’t)
Don’t use the word “quote.” Don’t say “The quote is saying…” or “In the quote…”
Don’t use the word “basically.” Also: Remember Neat Handwriting
Always assume that the reader knows nothing about the topic, so make sure to explain the topic well.
Remember to use transitions when changing topics, changing from one piece of evidence to another, and when changing from one paragraph to another.
Examples: -In addition,… -Also,… -Another… -Additionally… -Moreover… -Consequently…
Remember that your essay is not a story. It’s an argument that you back up with evidence.
Don’t give evidence that goes against your argument unless you are going to disprove it
MLA Works Cited:
for Electronic Sources (Web Publications) see: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08
Topic Sentence: A topic sentence is the main argument for the paragraph. It is one part of your thesis.
Evidence #1: Remember to introduce the quote. The best evidence is a direct quote, but sometimes you want to paraphrase the author. Always include an in-text citation like: (Doc. A) or use MLA In-text Citation:
book: (Author page #) example: (Smith 241)
website: (Author simplified website) example: (Williams ushistory.org)
Analysis #1: This is the most important part of your essay because this is where you are arguing how your evidence proves your thesis/ topic sentence.
Things you can say in your analysis:
-Explain what the author means
-Explain the context of the quote
-Explain how the evidence can relate to today or other events/topics in history
-Most importantly: Describe how the evidence supports your thesis/ topic sentence
-Only if it applies: Give your opinion about the issue discussed in the quote/evidence
-Only if it applies: Explain the significance/importance of the evidence or the issue
Then transition to:
Evidence #2
Analysis #2
Concluding Sentence: Restate your topic sentence in a different way & summarize how the evidence proves
your point. Then transition into the next paragraph.
Other tips:
Don’t use “I” “you” or “we.”
Instead of saying “I think that the Reign of Terror was unnecessary because…” just say: “The Reign of Terror was unnecessary because…”
Instead of saying “We should not view others as inferior” just say “People should not view others as inferior”
Instead of saying “You will recognize that ….” just say “One will recognize that…”
Don’t say “don’t.” Instead say do not. (No contractions: isn’t, aren’t, wasn’t, weren’t)
Don’t use the word “quote.” Don’t say “The quote is saying…” or “In the quote…”
Don’t use the word “basically.” Also: Remember Neat Handwriting
Always assume that the reader knows nothing about the topic, so make sure to explain the topic well.
Remember to use transitions when changing topics, changing from one piece of evidence to another, and when changing from one paragraph to another.
Examples: -In addition,… -Also,… -Another… -Additionally… -Moreover… -Consequently…
Remember that your essay is not a story. It’s an argument that you back up with evidence.
Don’t give evidence that goes against your argument unless you are going to disprove it
MLA Works Cited:
for Electronic Sources (Web Publications) see: https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/08
The Thesis Statement
Learning to Write a Good Thesis Statement
A good thesis statement answers the question you have been given (and does not simply restate the question.)
Question: Compare and contrast families with one child to families with many children.
Bad thesis: Families with one child and families with many children share some similarities but also some differences.
Why? It is not specific enough—it does not include any information that wasn’t already given in the question.
Good thesis: While families with any number of children experience the same joy of watching a child learn new things, families with many children struggle because they have more messes to clean up.
Why? The statement includes both similarities and differences and includes details that answer the question.
A good thesis takes a stand.
Question: Compare the benefits of staying in school to dropping out.
Bad thesis: Staying in school and dropping out of school are two options that high school students have.
Why? It doesn’t answer the question, nor does it take a stand. What is the opinion of the writer? Also, compare means compare AND contrast.
Good thesis: Despite the fact that high school graduates and dropouts can possibly achieve success outside of school, students who complete high school learn skills that non-graduates do not learn.
Equally good thesis, different stand: While high school graduates and dropouts can each achieve success outside of school, dropouts make the better choice by getting a job earlier and saving time.
Why? Each statement takes a stand and includes details that answer the question.
A good thesis justifies the need for a discussion.
Using the same question about staying in school:
Bad thesis: High school graduates have more success than dropouts.
Good thesis: High school graduates have more success than dropouts because they learn valuable skills in school that dropouts do not experience.
This is a better thesis because it summarizes your argument—you are going to argue that certain skills are learned in high school and that dropouts need those skills. The first thesis is weak because it does not specifically address your argument.
A good thesis is a roadmap for the reader showing exactly what you will write about. Every sentence in your essay should relate to the thesis in some way.
Your thesis statement is the answer to the question. It should summarize what you intend to write about and should tell the reader what to expect. In an essay where your thesis statement is:
Despite the fact that high school graduates and dropouts can possibly achieve success outside of school, students who complete high school learn skills that non-graduates do not learn.
You will have a paragraph with examples of how both graduates and dropouts experience success, then another paragraph where you give examples of skills that non-graduates miss by not finishing school.
Helpful Thesis Hints
To ensure your thesis takes a stand and is sophisticated enough for AP standards, use one of the following words to begin your thesis statement every time. When you have proven your ability to write a good thesis with one of these words, then I will tell you when you may branch out from them. Until that time, use:
Despite… or In spite of…
Although…
While…
And to ensure that you’re being specific and clear DO NOT use the following words, or Thesis Killers:
Very
Many
Things
Lots
Stuff
A good thesis statement answers the question you have been given (and does not simply restate the question.)
Question: Compare and contrast families with one child to families with many children.
Bad thesis: Families with one child and families with many children share some similarities but also some differences.
Why? It is not specific enough—it does not include any information that wasn’t already given in the question.
Good thesis: While families with any number of children experience the same joy of watching a child learn new things, families with many children struggle because they have more messes to clean up.
Why? The statement includes both similarities and differences and includes details that answer the question.
A good thesis takes a stand.
Question: Compare the benefits of staying in school to dropping out.
Bad thesis: Staying in school and dropping out of school are two options that high school students have.
Why? It doesn’t answer the question, nor does it take a stand. What is the opinion of the writer? Also, compare means compare AND contrast.
Good thesis: Despite the fact that high school graduates and dropouts can possibly achieve success outside of school, students who complete high school learn skills that non-graduates do not learn.
Equally good thesis, different stand: While high school graduates and dropouts can each achieve success outside of school, dropouts make the better choice by getting a job earlier and saving time.
Why? Each statement takes a stand and includes details that answer the question.
A good thesis justifies the need for a discussion.
Using the same question about staying in school:
Bad thesis: High school graduates have more success than dropouts.
Good thesis: High school graduates have more success than dropouts because they learn valuable skills in school that dropouts do not experience.
This is a better thesis because it summarizes your argument—you are going to argue that certain skills are learned in high school and that dropouts need those skills. The first thesis is weak because it does not specifically address your argument.
A good thesis is a roadmap for the reader showing exactly what you will write about. Every sentence in your essay should relate to the thesis in some way.
Your thesis statement is the answer to the question. It should summarize what you intend to write about and should tell the reader what to expect. In an essay where your thesis statement is:
Despite the fact that high school graduates and dropouts can possibly achieve success outside of school, students who complete high school learn skills that non-graduates do not learn.
You will have a paragraph with examples of how both graduates and dropouts experience success, then another paragraph where you give examples of skills that non-graduates miss by not finishing school.
Helpful Thesis Hints
To ensure your thesis takes a stand and is sophisticated enough for AP standards, use one of the following words to begin your thesis statement every time. When you have proven your ability to write a good thesis with one of these words, then I will tell you when you may branch out from them. Until that time, use:
Despite… or In spite of…
Although…
While…
And to ensure that you’re being specific and clear DO NOT use the following words, or Thesis Killers:
Very
Many
Things
Lots
Stuff