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ENG 4UO ACADEMIC ESSAY OUTLINE

BODY PARAGRAPH # 1 (Transitional word(s) I will use:_________________________________)

1. INTRODUCTION: Sentence(s) containing the first argument (topic) of your discussion and
the three points (sub-arguments) in the same order they appear in the
paragraph.

2. BODY: Three separate statements containing your three arguments for your topic. Each
argument, or point, is supported by a proof and comment that explains why the example
supports your argument.

i) Point

i) Proof /
Comment

ii) Point

ii) Proof /
Comment

iii) Point

iii) Proof /
Comment

3. CONCLUSION: Statement pointing back to the argument in topic sentence.

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ENG 4UO ACADEMIC ESSAY OUTLINE

BODY PARAGRAPH # 2 (Transitional word(s) I will use:_________________________________)

1. INTRODUCTION: Sentence(s) containing the second argument (topic) of your discussion and
the three points (sub-arguments) in the same order they appear in the
paragraph.

2. BODY: Three separate statements containing your three arguments for your topic. Each
argument, or point, is supported by a proof and comment that explains why the example
supports your argument.

i) Point

i) Proof /
Comment

ii) Point

ii) Proof /
Comment

iii) Point

iii) Proof /
Comment

3. CONCLUSION: Statement pointing back to the argument in topic sentence.

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ENG 4UO ACADEMIC ESSAY OUTLINE

BODY PARAGRAPH # 3 (Transitional word(s) I will use:_________________________________)

1. INTRODUCTION: Sentence(s) containing the third argument (topic) of your discussion and
the three points (sub-arguments) in the same order they appear in the
paragraph.

2. BODY: Three separate statements containing your three arguments for your topic. Each
argument, or point, is supported by a proof and comment that explains why the example
supports your argument.

i) Point

i) Proof /
Comment

ii) Point

ii) Proof /
Comment

iii) Point

iii) Proof /
Comment

3. CONCLUSION: Statement(s) pointing back to topic sentence (with 3 sub- arguments) and forward.
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ENG 4UO ACADEMIC ESSAY OUTLINE

TRANSITION PARAGRAPH # 1 (Transitional word(s) I will use:_________________________________)

1. POINT # 1: Sentence(s) containing the first argument of your thesis (topic sentence)

2. SUM M ARY: Statements summarizing your three points for argument # 1.

i) Point

ii) Point

iii) Point

3. DIRECTION: Statement(s) pointing your reader in a new direction that further supports your argument.

TRANSITION PARAGRAPH # 2 (Transitional word(s) I will use:_________________________________)

1. POINT # 2: Sentence(s) containing the second argument of your thesis (topic sentence)

2. SUM M ARY: Statements summarizing your three points for argument # 2.

i) Point

ii) Point

iii) Point

3. DIRECTION: Statement(s) pointing your reader in a new direction that further supports your argument.
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ENG 4UO ACADEMIC ESSAY OUTLINE

CONCLUSION (Transitional word(s) I will use:_________________________________)

1. THESIS STATEMENT: Statement(s) containing your topic and your three arguments to prove your
thesis.

2. WORKS CITED: Statement(s) connecting the works and authors used in your essay
to your topic. Also, briefly restate the three arguments.

3. SOCIAL STATEMENT: A general statement(s) connecting your topic to society.

4. THOUGHT FULL STATEMENT: Lively, provocative sentence(s) on your topic designed to

make your reader think.
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ENG 4UO ACADEMIC ESSAY OUTLINE

THESIS PARAGRAPH (Transitional word(s) I will use:_________________________________)

1. TRANSITION: Sentence(s) summarizing topic and rhetorical question.

2. 3 POINT ARGUMENT: Sentence(s) / phrase(s) that contain the three arguments you are going to argue
in the order they appear in the essay (these become your three topic sentences).

i)

ii)

iii)

3. THESIS STATEMENT: Statement(s) containing your topic and your three arguments to prove your
argument (and answers your rhetorical question).

INTRODUCTION

1. GENERAL STATEMENT: Lively, provocative sentence(s) on your topic designed to grab your
reader’s attention.

2. SOCIAL STATEMENT: Another general statement(s) connecting your topic to society.

3. WORKS CITED: Statement(s) connecting the works and authors used in your essay to your topic.

4. RHETORICAL QUESTION: Statement that poses a rhetorical question on your topic which is then
answered by your thesis statement. Can be here or before #3.

© Roger Blake, 2004. All Rights R eserved. Used with Permission