Four Square a tool used for brainstorming and outlining your essay

Introduction Paragraph introduces the topic of your essay; it’s the first paragraph

Introductory Paragraph

Grabber The first sentence of your essay; it “grabs” the reader’s attention

Introductory Paragraph Grabber

Elaboration Sentences the sentences in your introduction that follow the grabber and come before the thesis; they give additional information about your essay’s topic

Introductory Paragraph Grabber Elaboration Sentences

Thesis the three main points of your essay; the last sentence of your introduction paragraph and is restated as the first sentence in your conclusion paragraph

Introductory Paragraph Grabber Elaboration Sentences Thesis Thesis (Restated)

Body Paragraphs The three middle paragraphs; they must follow the order in which they were introduced in the thesis

Body Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 Introductory Paragraph Elaboration Sentences Thesis Thesis (Restated) Grabber

Transition the first word of each body paragraph; sometimes found as the first word of the conclusion paragraph

Example Transition Words First Suddenly However Also First Next After Again Finally For example

Body Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 Introductory Paragraph Transition Elaboration Sentences Thesis Thesis (Restated) Transition Grabber

Topic Sentence The first sentence in each body paragraph; what the body paragraph is about

Body Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 Introductory Paragraph Transition Elaboration Sentences Thesis Thesis (Restated) Transition Grabber Topic Sentence

Concrete Detail Evidence that supports the topic sentence -

Body Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 Introductory Paragraph Transition Elaboration Sentences Thesis Thesis (Restated) Transition Grabber Topic Sentence - Concrete Detail

Vivid Detail Detail that further describes the concrete detail (5 senses)

Body Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 Introductory Paragraph Transition Elaboration Sentences Thesis Thesis (Restated) Transition Grabber Topic Sentence - Concrete Detail Vivid Detail

Concluding Sentence Summarizes the paragraph; the last sentence of each body paragraph; NO NEW INFO! *

Body Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 Introductory Paragraph Transition Elaboration Sentences Thesis Thesis (Restated) Transition Grabber Topic Sentence - Concrete Detail Vivid Detail * * * Concluding Sentence

Conclusion Paragraph The last paragraph of the essay; summarizes the essay; the first sentence is the restated thesis and the last sentence is the clincher.

Body Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 Introductory Paragraph Transition Elaboration Sentences Thesis Thesis (Restated) Transition Grabber Topic Sentence - Concrete Detail Vivid Detail * * * Concluding Sentence Conclusion Paragraph

The three middle sentences contain a detail from each body paragraph

Body Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 Introductory Paragraph Transition Elaboration Sentences Thesis Thesis (Restated) Transition Grabber Topic Sentence - Concrete Detail Vivid Detail * * * Concluding Sentence Conclusion Paragraph - Detail from body paragraph #1 - Detail from body paragraph #2 - Detail from body paragraph #3

The Clincher The last sentence of the entire essay; it drives the point home; the final thought

Body Paragraph #1Body Paragraph #2 Body Paragraph #3 Introductory Paragraph Transition Elaboration Sentences Thesis Thesis (Restated) Transition Grabber Topic Sentence - Concrete Detail Vivid Detail * * * Concluding Sentence Conclusion Paragraph The Clincher - Detail from body paragraph #1 - Detail from body paragraph #2 - Detail from body paragraph #3

NARRATIVE ESSAY PROMPT You will be writing a sequel to The Outsiders. You will choose one character in particular and create a well- developed, five-paragraph, REALISTIC essay involving that character. This will be fun!!