Adapted from Sara Wolfe’s Compare and Contrast Essay Template and TRU Wr iting Ce ntre’s Basic Essay
Outline
Writing Centre
English Essay Template
Introduction
Body
Conclusion
• State the title of the work, the author’s name and the date of publication. If relevant to
your essay, provide the histo rica l context of the text/aut hor.
• Outline the main ideas of the text and introduce any important characters, settings, or
details that yo u will address in the body of your essay. Summar ize these points in about
two sentences.
• State your thesis. Remember a thesis should include yo ur main idea, argument, or lens
you interpret the text through, and your main supporting arguments.
• Topic sentence: note that topic and concluding sentences shouldn’t include quotes.
In the subsequent body paragraphs after yo ur first one, use tr ansitio ns in yo ur topic
sentences for coherence. For example: In addition to x (main idea of above paragraph), y
also supports (thesis idea).
• Set up + supporting evidence (direct quote or paraphrase) #1: English essays depend on
direct quotations more than paraphrases, as the way the author uses language is often
intent ional and can help prove yo ur point mo re effectively than a paraphrase. Remember to
always explain the quote in your own words (see our Integrating Quotes in MLA and APA
resource for mor e on this).
• After your quote, analyze/relate it to yo ur overall argument in about two sentences. This
is not a st rict rule, but try not to write mor e than three sentences explain ing one piece of
evidence.
• Set up + supporting evidence #2 and analysis.
• Set up + supporting evidence #3. Three quotes or paraphrases per paragraph is the rule of
thumb for basic essays, but not a strict rule.
• Concluding sentence.
• Restate your thesis in new words.
• Summarize you r main ideas (main idea of each paragraph or section) with new and
stronger language.
• End with a call to action, closing thought, or by relating your paper to larger concepts.
Remember not to introduce any new information or ideas in your concluding paragraph!
