STEP-BY-STEP ESSAY STRUCTURE

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH

SENTENCE ONE

• Include Titles and A general Statement
• Example:
• "Confetti Girl" and "Tortilla Sun" are stories about conflicts that erupt between teenagers and their parents.

SENTENCE TWO

• A bit more specific--serves as the bridge between the 1st sentence and the 3rd sentence (thesis)
• Example:
• While parents may have their child's best interest at heart, their children seem to think that their actions are selfish.

SENTENCE THREE

• Thesis: The blueprint for your essay; must contain the exact words from the prompt
• Example:
• These different points of view illustrate tension by creating conflict and misunderstanding between the younger and older generations.

PARAGRAPHS TWO AND THREE

SENTENCE ONE

• Topic sentence that names the first story and the key words from the thesis
• Example:
• In "Confetti Girl" the narrator has lost her mother which creates tension between her and her father.

SENTENCES TWO-FOUR

• Proves the topic sentence
• Uses at least two quotes for support
• Example:
• She is now expected to shoulder more responsibilities and duties that are new to her, as illustrated in paragraph three, "Now when I come home, I've got to sweep, fold towels, or scrub the bathroom sink."

SENTENCE FIVE

• A clincher sentence that reminds the reader the purpose of the paragraph.
• Example:
• The narrator's resentment and inability to communicate with her father adds to the tense atmosphere.

PARAGRAPH FOUR

SENTENCE ONE

• Restate the thesis using different words.
• Example:
• In both of these stories, tension creates conflict and further separates the family, all because the narrators do not understand their parents' true intentions.

SENTENCES TWO AND THREE

• Answer the "so what?" Question (relate to life in general)
• Example:
• It seems almost inevitable that tension between generations will happen, causing frustration and emotional strain. Lack of communication in these stories is perhaps the key factor in creating tension among these characters.