Essay Template
Introduction
1. Grabber
Write a sentence that will make people want to read your essay.
2. Background
Write 2-3 sentences describing the time, place, and background story for this essay. For help, review what you wrote in the Background Essay summary.
3. Restate the Question
Rewrite the question in your own words.
4. Thesis and Roadmap
Write a statement that answers the Mini-Q question. Use your chickenfoot. The chicken toes show the order of your body paragraphs.
Body Paragraph 1
1. Baby Thesis
Using only your first chicken toe, write a sentence that answers one part of the question.
2. Evidence
Use 1-2 pieces of specific evidence from your documents to support your baby thesis.
3. Argument
Explain how your evidence proves your baby thesis. Why is it the best support for your baby thesis?
Body Paragraph 2
1. Baby Thesis
Using only your second chicken toe, write a sentence that answers one part of the question.
2. Evidence
Use 1-2 pieces of specific evidence from your documents to support your baby thesis.
3. Argument
Explain how your evidence proves your baby thesis. Why is it the best support for your baby thesis?
Body Paragraph 3
1. Baby Thesis
Using only your third chicken toe, write a sentence that answers one part of the question.
2. Evidence
Use 1-2 pieces of specific evidence from your documents to support your baby thesis.
3. Argument
Explain how your evidence proves your baby thesis. Why is it the best support for your baby thesis?
Conclusion
1. Although Statement
Acknowledge the other side to the argument or another way to look at your claim.
2. Restate Thesis
Using fresh language, remind the reader of your paper’s main claim or thesis.
3. Importance
Explain why the subject of your essay is important. Did it change the course of history? What are the lessons to be learned?