1. Thesis & Topic Sentences
Things Fall Apart

2. ESSAY OUTLINE INTRODUCTION BODY PARAGRAPH 1 BODY PARAGRAPH 2
CONCLUSION

3. Introduction Thesis What + Why What is the answer to the prompt?
Why do you know it?
This should include a reference to each of your body paragraphs

4. Thesis Statement
Prompt: How has your theme developed throughout the novel, Things Fall Apart?
What: Chinua Achebe emphasizes that strong communication is necessary for healthy relationships
Why:
1. Okonkwo doesn’t communicate with his clan about his reservations about
killing Ikemefuna, resulting in Ikemefuna’s death (ends relationship)
2. Okonkwo doesn’t communicate his favoritism towards Ezinma, resulting in a
relationship that never is able to occur (lack of relationship)
3. Okonkwo doesn’t strongly communicate his feelings about Nwoye’s
decision to convert to Christianity, resulting in a loss of his son (ends relationship)
Chinua Achebe emphasizes that strong communication is necessary for healthy relationships through Okonkwo’s interactions with Ikemefuna, Ezinma, and Nwoye.

5. Body Paragraphs
The body paragraphs of an essay aim to prove or argue your thesis statement in detail

6. LAYOUT OF OUR ESSAY… Thesis Statement
Chinua Achebe emphasizes that strong communication is necessary for healthy relationships through Okonkwo’s interactions with Ikemefuna, Ezinma, and Nwoye.
Ikemefuna’s murder
Not telling Ezinma Okonkwo’s true feelings
Not telling Nwoye how Okonkwo truly felt about his conversion
Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 2
Body Paragraph 3

7. Body Paragraph Outline
1: Topic Sentence 2: Lead in/evidence 3: Commentary (analysis) 4: Commentary (analysis) 5: Lead in/evidence #2

8. Topic Sentence The topic sentence …
Explains what this specific paragraph will prove or argue
Comes from the thesis statement

9. For OUR essay…
What is our thesis statement? What argument is the first body paragraph defending? What should our topic sentence be?
Chinua Achebe emphasizes that strong communication is necessary for healthy relationships through Okonkwo’s interactions with Ikemefuna, Ezinma, and Nwoye.
Ikemefuna’s murder
Chinua Achebe emphasizes that strong communication is necessary for healthy relationships through Okonkwo’s interactions with Ikemefuna.

10. Our Sample Topic Sentences
Thesis Statement
Chinua Achebe emphasizes that strong communication is necessary for healthy relationships through Okonkwo’s interactions with Ikemefuna, Ezinma, and Nwoye.
Chinua Achebe emphasizes that strong communication is necessary for healthy relationships through…
Okonkwo’s interactions with Ikemefuna.
Chinua Achebe emphasizes that strong communication is necessary for healthy relationships through…
Okonkwo’s interactions with Ezinma.
Chinua Achebe emphasizes that strong communication is necessary for healthy relationships through…
Okonkwo’s interactions with Nwoye.
Body Paragraph 1
Body Paragraph 2
Body Paragraph 3

11. Topic Sentence “Academic Transformation”
What is core topic sentence? Trick One: Flip it around from end to beginning: Trick Two: Change key words:
Chinua Achebe emphasizes that strong communication is necessary for healthy relationships through Okonkwo’s interactions with Ikemefuna.
Okonkwo’s interactions with Ikemefuna prove that strong communication is necessary for a healthy relationship.
Chinua Achebe emphasizes that strong communication is necessary for healthy relationships through Okonkwo’s interactions with Ikemefuna.
Achebe emphasizes that clear communication is critical to create healthy connections through Okonkwo’s experiences with Ikemefuna.