Expository Essay Outline
Directions: Use this outline as a “road map” to write your essay. If you need more
examples or sentence starters, use page 2 to help you!
I. Introduction/Claim (3 points)
A. Start with a hook or attention getting sentence.
B. Briefly summarize the texts
C. State your thesis. Your thesis is the sentence that outlines what your essay is going to be about. Make sure your
are restating the prompt.
II. Body Paragraph: Evidence/Support (3 points)
. Include a topic sentence that restates your thesis topic for this paragraph and your reason.
•Example: The character___________ undergoes a change caused by
_________.
B. Include text evidence that supports your reason.
•Example: The author shows that the character’s change is caused by ___________
because in paragraph two it states____________
C. Include an explanation (warrant) that shows how your text evidence proves your thesis.
•Example: This proves that the character’s changes were caused by__________
because_____.
III. Body Paragraph: Evidence/Support/Warrant (3 points)
A. Include a topic sentence that restates your thesis topic for this paragraph and your reason.
•Example: The character___________ undergoes a change caused by
_________.
B. Include text evidence that supports your reason.
•Example: The author shows that the character’s change is caused by ___________
because in paragraph two it states____________
C. Include an explanation (warrant) that shows how your text evidence proves your thesis.
•Example: This proves that the character’s changes were caused by__________
because_____.
IV. Body Paragraph: Evidence/Support/Warrant (3 points)
A. Include a topic sentence that restates your thesis topic for this paragraph and your reason.
•Example: The character___________ undergoes a change caused by _________.
B. Include text evidence that supports your reason.
•Example: The author shows that the character’s change is caused by ___________
because in paragraph two it states____________
C. Include an explanation (warrant) that shows how your text evidence proves your thesis.
•Example: This proves that the character’s changes were caused by__________
because_____.
V. Conclusion (One paragraph) (1 points)
Restate your claim and summarize your reasoning.
•Example: In conclusion, the text shows that videogames are harmful by pointing
out that_______
⭐ Your essay is incomplete and cannot be graded without a thesis/claim and a counterclaim.
adapted from Tahnda Hawkins/South HS
