Next write a sentence that incorporates the title, author, and genre/book type (i.e. novel, autobiography, memoir, fiction/non-fiction, etc.).

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1 Write an introduction. Use the following essay template to guide you in developing your thoughts and formatting them properly. This is only a guide meant to help you you may need more or fewer lines. Write out your introduction on the following lines. Use the tips to guide you in your essay construction Do not ignore the tips! They remind you of the necessary components of an introduction paragraph! Begin with an attention getter. Grab the reader s interest and transition into your subject. Use the attention-getters list I have you at the beginning of the semester. Try imagery! List sights, sounds, etc. Next write a sentence that incorporates the title, author, and genre/book type (i.e. novel, autobiography, memoir, fiction/non-fiction, etc.). Next, summarize the rest of the story focusing your summary on your main topic from your thesis. The introduction is the only place in the essay where a summary is needed Do not summarize in your body paragraphs. Be sure to include at least one sentence that helps to transition into your thesis by using key words or phrases from the thesis BEFORE they are used in your thesis. The last sentence of the introduction needs to be your thesis statement. This is the sentence you wrote for homework and I approved. 1

2 Write topic sentences. Every body paragraph needs a clear topic sentence that is a subdivision of your thesis statement. Topic sentences are like mini thesis statements, they have a specific topic and a claim. Topic sentences are NEVER plot statements (facts from the story). Topic sentences are NEVER quotes. Topic sentences are NEVER questions. When writing topic sentences, reuse the KEY WORDS that are found in the thesis statement. Rewrite your thesis statement again. See previous page. Below, write THREE topic sentences that further explain your thesis statement. Underneath each topic sentence, make notes on the ACTUAL PARTS OF THE BOOK that you believe will help you prove your topic sentences. Remember each body paragraph will need at leasttwo supporting examples! Topic Sentence 1: Two parts of the book that will help me PROVE this topic sentence: Topic Sentence 2: Two parts of the book that will help me PROVE this topic sentence: Topic Sentence 3: Two parts of the book that will help me PROVE this topic sentence: 2

3 List evidence to support your topic sentences. Go back through the text and write down TWO quotes that are in support of each of your topic sentences. Remember, a quote can be ANY phrase/sentence/passage the author of a book writes not just dialogue! You will be required to use at least two quotations in each body paragraph. Use your study questions and voice chart to find ideas. Body paragraph #1; Quote #1: Body paragraph #1; Quote #2 Body paragraph #2; Quote #1 Body paragraph #2; Quote #2 Body paragraph #3; Quote #1 Body paragraph #3; Quote #2 3

4 Write Body Paragraph #1: Write topic sentence 1 (from page 2). Give one supporting idea that develops your topic sentence (i.e. one reason). Provide a quote from the text to make your claim more convincing. Be sure to put the quotation INTO a sentence of your own do not simply insert it on its own. (Ex: When Melinda says,, she is showing her need for ). Use a transition, and them give another supporting idea that develops your topic sentence (i.e. one reason). Provide a second quote from the text to make your claim more convincing. 4

5 End your paragraph with a concluding sentence that sums up the main point of the paragraph. Write Body Paragraph #2: Write topic sentence 2 (from step 3) with a transition from the previous paragraph. See your list for help. Give one supporting idea that develops your topic sentence (i.e. one reason). Provide a quote from the text to make your claim more convincing. Be sure to put the quotation INTO a sentence of your own do not simply insert it on its own. (Ex: When Melinda says,, she is showing her need for ). 5

6 Use a transition, and them give another supporting idea that develops your topic sentence (i.e. one reason). Provide a second quote from the text to make your claim more convincing. End your paragraph with a concluding sentence that sums up the main point of the paragraph. Write Body Paragraph #3: Write topic sentence 3 (from step 3) with a transition from the previous paragraph. See your list for help. Give one supporting idea that develops your topic sentence (i.e. one reason). Provide a quote from the text to make your claim more convincing. Be sure to put the quotation INTO a sentence of your own do not simply insert it on its own. (Ex: When Melinda says,, she is showing her need for ). 6

7 Use a transition, and them give another supporting idea that develops your topic sentence (i.e. one reason). Provide a second quote from the text to make your claim more convincing. End your paragraph with a concluding sentence that sums up the main point of the paragraph. 7

8 Write Conclusion: Start with a closing transition word or phrase and restate your thesis. RESTATE IN A DIFFERENT WAY. Summarize your main points (from your body paragraphs). Be sure to use transitions!! End your conclusion by connecting back to your attention getter. Works Cited: Write a practice citation for the book To Kill a Mockingbird. It MUST look exactly like this and must be on a separate page at the end of your essay. Author last name, First name. Title of the Book. City: Publishing Company, Copyright year. Print. 8