Essay Structure

Basic 5 Paragraph Essay

I. Introduction – keep it short and sweet: 3-5 sentences
          A. Attention getter – hook - exordium
          B. Background information: TAG (author, title, genre), short summary (transition to thesis)
          C. Thesis: Argument + Evidence; in parallel structure


II. Body Paragraph 1
          A. Topic sentence: Argument + One Evidence from Thesis

• Introduce your evidence

          B. Evidence (quote or idea), with citation: "Quote" (page number).

• Commentary (at least twice as long as the evidence) - Explain how and/or why the evidence proves your argument.  NO PLOT SUMMARY.

          C. Second evidence (as defined above)

• Commentary (as defined above)

          D. Concluding sentence – wrap up the paragraph and transition to the next body paragraph


III. Body Paragraph 2 – follow the structure of Body Paragraph 1


IV. Body Paragraph 3– follow the structure of Body Paragraph 1


V. Conclusion
          A. Restate your argument – hint: reword your thesis (do not repeat it).
          B. Answer the “so what?” Wrap up why your essay idea was important (worthy of reading)
          C. End with a Concluding Statement: universal truth, global statement or call to action


Notes:
Always write in present tense for literary analysis
Always write in 3rd person (no "I," "me," "we," "you," etc.)
Include in-text citations and a Works Cited page
Assert your argument as fact; do not admit you are unsure
Be organized; do not write tangentially
Format correctly in MLA format
Do not summarize the plot