Outline for Writing an Expository Essay

I. Introduction (Note: A-C are in one paragraph)  

A.  Attention Getter: 1) a quotation 2) a fact or statistic 3) a rhetorical question that cannot be answered with a simple yes or no 4) a general observation about the topic at hand)

B. Context (background information—name of the work, the author, and a very brief summary of the work)

C. Thesis Sentence

II.       Body: Paragraph One    

Note: The transition and topic sentence may be in the same sentence, A. Transition:__________________________ B. Topic Sentence______________________

C. Concrete Detail

D. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)_

E. Concrete Detail

F. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)_

111.      Body: Paragraph Two

Note: The transition and topic sentence may be in the same sentence.

A. Transition:__________________________ B. Topic Sentence______________________

C. Concrete Detail

D. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)_

E. Concrete Detail

F. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)_

IV.      Body: Paragraph Three

Note: The transition and topic sentence may be in the same sentence.
A. Transition: __________________________

B. Topic Sentence.__________________________

C. Concrete Detail__________________________

D. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)__________________________

E. Concrete Detail__________________________

F. Commentary (2-3 comments per CD)__________________________

V.      Conclusion

Note: The transition and thesis may be in one sentence.

 A. Transition word or phrase:__________________

B. Restate thesis sentence  __________________________   

C. Summarize arguments/points (should only be one sentence)

1)___________________________________

2)__________________________

3)__________________________.

D. Call to action/"So what?"

Do any of the following things: 1) Explain why the topic is universal in its nature—how it affects the reader 2) Expand on the narrow topic to a more universal observation about life, history, literature, etc. 3) Motivate the reader to take a certain action or think in a certain manner.

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