1- Introduction Your introduction needs to do three things: 1-Grab the attention of the audience! By the end of the first sentence the audience has usually decided if they’re interested or not. 2-Provide the background information necessary for your audience to understand what you’re talking about (definitions, history, etc.) 3-Lead into your claim.

Introduction continued…  You will need a good attention getting device to begin your essay.  Don’t start with questions, “Have you ever…?”, “What if…?”, “ “Don’t you hate it when…?” or anything equally icky like My topic/name is…”.  Some possibilities for good beginnings are: anecdote (Your parents tell you these all the time. For example, “When I was a kid….”) Interesting and amazing fact or statistic (and it needs to be REALLY interesting or amazing!) Fantastic quote True story

2- Claim (sometimes called a thesis statement)  This is a powerful statement that tells the audience what your topic is and what side of the argument you are on. Your audience should have no question about what your topic is and whether you are going to argue for or against it.  Never include examples or evidence in your claim. That comes later.  Don’t use the word “because.”

3a- Sub-claim 1 This is the first reason that you believe your claim to be true.  Never include examples or evidence. That comes later.  Don’t use the word “because.”

3b- Evidence & Explanation for Sub-claim 1  Cite text evidence from your research to prove your sub-claim is true.  Explain or elaborate on the evidence.  Always give the source of the evidence using internal citations/tags (who said it and what their qualifications are).  Use MLA format to cite the source in the bibliography.

4a- Sub-claim 2  This is the second reason that you believe your claim to be true. It should be the strongest of your two points.  Otherwise it’s the same as subclaim 1.

4b-Evidence & Explanation For Sub-claim 2  Same as subclaim 1.  Cite text evidence from your research to prove your sub-claim is true.  Explain or elaborate on the evidence.  Always give the source of the evidence using internal citations/tags (who said it and what their qualifications are).  Use MLA format to cite the source in the bibliography.

5- Warrant: After hearing all the evidence, there should be an obvious conclusion that your audience should come to. This is your warrant. A warrant restates the the facts that explain to your audience how they should interpret the evidence. Do two things in your warrant: Briefly summarize your claim, subclaims and evidence. State the obvious conclusion.

6a- Counterclaim This is the argument that people would give who believe the opposite of your claim.

6b- Counterclaim: Evidence & Explanation Find evidence that the opposite side would use to prove the counterclaim is true  Explain or elaborate on the evidence.  Always give the source of the evidence using internal citations (who said it and what their qualifications are).  Use MLA format to cite the source in the bibliography.

7a- Backing The backing has two jobs: 1-Discredit the evidence from the counterclaim. 2-Explain why the counterclaim is wrong.

7b- Backing: Evidence & Explanation  Present more evidence that will back up your warrant and further discredit the counter-claim.  Explain or elaborate on the evidence.  Always give the source of the evidence using internal citations (who said it and what their qualifications are).  Use MLA format to cite the source in the bibliography.

8- Conclusion This is like a lawyer's closing argument. Be sure the audience clearly understands what you want them to believe.  Don’t introduce new material.  Summarize and restate both your claim and evidence.  Persuasively appeal to your audience one last time.  Wrap it up nicely. NEVER end with "and that's my essay”, “I’m done”, “That’s all”, Amen” or anything like it.