11-Sentence Paragraph Outline



ENG3U

The 11-Sentence Paragraph

This is an outline for a single paragraph or a paragraph in an essay. Knowing how to properly structure a single paragraph is the key to writing an effective essay. Paragraphs are the building blocks of essays.

There can be some variation within this outline. Students who feel comfortable with organizing an effective paragraph need not try to stick to this outline too closely. Your paragraph does not actually need to be exactly 11 sentences. But you must make sure you introduce, provide evidence and explain each point that you make to support the topic of your paragraph. You must also properly conclude your paragraph.

1. Topic Sentence: States both the topic of the paragraph and the main point you want to make about that topic.

2. Introduce the first reason or example that supports your main point.

3. Provide a quote or specific example as evidence or support.

4. Explain how the quote or example supports your main point. Do not leave your reader to make the connection between the example you provide and your point. Make your point through your explanation.

5. Transition to the second reason or example that supports your main point.

6. Provide a quote or specific example as evidence or support for the second reason.

7. Explain how this quote or example supports your main point.

8. Transition to a third reason or example to support your main point.

9. Provide a quote or specific example as evidence or support.

10. Explain how this quote or example supports your main point.

11. Write a concluding sentence (or two) that explains how all three of the examples above support your topic sentence. In a multi-paragraph paper or essay, the last sentence should relate the whole paragraph to the thesis of the essay and help transition to the next paragraph.

In a multi-paragraph essay, each body paragraph would follow this outline.

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