Formulate a topic sentence that expresses the argument or viewpoint you will prove. Proceed to write your paragraph using the topic sentence/thesis as your guide. It is often helpful to add an introductory sentence to set the tone for the reader. Make sure you prove your argument/thesis by using at least 2 specific references to support your view. You can use lines from the selection (which you should quote and cite line or page numbers), or cite specific situations from the poem, play, or story (which require no line numbers). You may also use specific references from your life which help to prove your viewpoint. Be specific; watch your grammar, and reread to make sure your written piece reflects your argument and reasoning in a thoughtful, reflective, and accurate way. That’s the final step before submitting the paragraph.
Always structure essay questions so the prompt you are answering is obvious to the reader. After stating your position you need to preview, or add the two references or situations you will use to support your thesis/topic sentence.

An outline for your paragraph should look like this:
Outline:
I. Introductory sentence and then the topic/thesis sentence which tells the topic, how you feel about it, and what you will show. This equals two sentences minimum.

A. First reason you believe your viewpoint is true.
1. Example (either from the works or from your life)
2. Example (either from the works or from your life)
B. Second reason you believe your viewpoint is correct.
1. Example (either from the works or from your life)
2. Example (either from the works or from your life)
C. Sum up the entire paragraph with a closing statement that lets the reader know you’re finished and you know that you have proved your viewpoint.

Remember, you have to have proved your topic/thesis sentence with specific instances.

3. Using only information from the second paragraph in New Directions, what can you conclude about Annie and Mr. Johnson? Use information from the text and your own personal interpretation to support your answer.

When she told her husband, Mr. William Johnson, of her dissatisfaction with their marriage, he conceded that he too found it to be less than he expected, and had been secretly hoping to leave and study religion. He added that he thought God was calling him not only to preach but to do so in Enid, Oklahoma. He did not tell her that he knew a minister in Enid with whom he could study and who had a friendly unmarried daughter. They parted amicably, Annie keeping the one-room house and William taking most of the cash to carry himself to Oklahoma.

Category: Essays