You can use the same basic structure to outline an expository or interpretive essay:
I. Introduction
II. Body 1(Topic Sentence #1)
III. Body 2 (Topic Sentence #2)
IV. Body 3 (Topic Sentence #3)
V. Conclusion
This would be the basic rundown of a five-paragraph, interpretive essay.
Fleshing it out could look something like this:
I. Introduction A. Context/Background Info B. Explain why main idea is important C. Thesis Statement
II. Body 1 A. Topic Sentence. B. Evidence #1 and its analysis C. Evidence #2 and its analysis D. Evidence #3 and its analysis E. Close off your body and transition into your next…
III. Body 2 A. Topic Sentence. B. Evidence #1 and its analysis C. Evidence #2 and its analysis D. Evidence #3 and its analysis E. Close off your body and transition into your next…
IV. Body 3 A. Topic Sentence. B. Evidence #1 and its analysis C. Evidence #2 and its analysis D. Evidence #3 and its analysis E. Close off your body and transition into your next…
V. Conclusion A. Restate your thesis in a new and interesting way. B. Give your reader a “So what?” statement. C. Return to your Intro (Come full circle & leave your writer with something to think about.)
*Remember, essays DO NOT have to be 5 paragraphs long. This structure is a rough outline and proves itself a big help in organizing your thoughts and your evidence/examples.
*When writing your body paragraphs, if one topic runs longer than another, chop it into 2 paragraphs. If your next topic is a little shorter, leave it as one. You can still begin with a topic sentence and end with a transition.
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