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Writing Paper

       Information Power/Organizational Patterns*

After you generate ideas in the prewriting stage of the writing process, you must organize those ideas in a logical order so that your readers can follow your line of development. Even though you will have some leeway in how you present your information, there are some basic organizational patterns which you may choose to use as guidelines to get you going. When developing your support paragraphs, it is wise to use a "say it, explain it, and give an example" format.

Basic five paragraph essay pattern
I. Introduction

• includes the attention-getting device
• thesis statement

II. Support Point #1

• topic sentence introducing first support point
• explanation of first support point
• example of first support point

III. Support Point #2

• topic sentence introducing second support point
• explanation of second support point
• example of second support point

IV. Support Point #3

• topic sentence introducing third support point
• explanation of third support point
• example of third support point

V. Conclusion

• review of support points one, two, and three
• reemphasize thesis statement
• refer back to attention-getting device from introduction

Argumentative Essay

I. Introduction

• emotional hook or attention-getting device
• thesis statement

II. Support Point #1

• topic sentence
• explanation of first support point
• evidence

III. Support Point #2

• topic sentence
• explanation of second support point
• evidence

IV. Support Point #3

• topic sentence
• explanation of third support point
• evidence

V. Opposition/Refutation Section

In this section you will anticipate the opposing arguments your readers might be making and refute each one by one. Hint: Don't build the opposition's case. Refute each point immediately after it has been presented.

VI. Conclusion

• Summarize support points one, two, and three and reiterate your thesis

End with a call to action and/or a strong emotional appeal (Remember--the last thing a reader reads is the first thing he/she remembers and since this is a persuasive essay, you want to end with a BANG!)
                                                                                                                       

 

*Author: Maple Woods Writing Center, Kansas City, MO
http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/maplewoods/writeplace/conclusions.html

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