7/29/2019 Paragraph Outline Explanation

1/1

ACADEMIC PARAGRAPH OUTLINE

Statement #1 Grabber Statement This is a statement focussing on the topic. It piques your readers interest.

Topic

Sentence Major concepts / Identify the three major concepts / support ing ideas that you wil l use for proof

Supporting Ideas List them in the order they appear in the paragraph. Also employ transitional

words that point to the next set of sentences.

General Length The topic sentence is generally one sentence but can be two if required.

Statement #2 Link Statement Begin this sentence with transitional words that connect it back to the previo

Supporting Idea sentence(s).st

Sentence(s)

Explana tion Expla in your firs t supporting idea so that the reader knows you know.

Proof Cite your proof from the text(s) to support your idea. Make sure that the proof

matches the idea.

Justification Add a s ta tement to suggest your agreement / d isagreement w ith the view in m

of supporting your thesis.

Transition Link your supporting idea to the next supporting idea with transitional words

Genera l Length 1 supporting idea sta tement should about five sentences in length .st

Statement #3 Link Statement Begin this sentence with transitional words that connect it back to the previo

2 Supporting Idea sentence(s).nd

Sentence(s)

Explana tion Expla in your second supporting idea so that the reader knows you know.

Proof Cite your proof from the text(s) to support your idea. Make sure that the proof

matches the idea.

Justification Add a s ta tement to suggest your agreement / d isagreement w ith the view in m

of supporting your thesis.

Transition Link your supporting idea to the next supporting idea with transitional words

Genera l Length 2 supporting idea sta tement should about five sentences in length .nd

Statement #4 Link Statement Begin this sentence with transitional words that connect it back to the previo

3 Supporting Idea sentence(s).rd

Sentence(s)

Explana tion Expla in your th ird supporting idea so that the reader knows you know.

Proof Cite your proof from the text(s) to support your idea. Make sure that the proof

matches the idea.

Justification Add a s ta tement to suggest your agreement / d isagreement w ith the view in m

of supporting your thesis.

Transition Link your supporting idea to the next supporting idea with transitional words

Genera l Length 3 supporting idea sta tement should about five sentences in length .rd

Statement #5 Link Statement This is a statement focussing on the topic and identif ies the three major /

Conclusion concepts, supporting ideas in the order they appear in the paragraph.

Sentence

Sum mary If this is a s tand alone paragraph then this sentence sum marizes the paragra

and contains a thoughtful statement for the reader. If this paragraph is a part

an essay (and not the conclusion) then instead of a thoughtful statement,

transitional words are used to point the reader to the next paragraph.

General Length The concluding sentence is generally one sentence but can be two if required

Roger Blake, 2004. All Rights Reserved. Used with Per