RESEARCHED ILLUSTRATION ESSAY
TOPIC:
· 110-A: Removal of US Troops from Iraq
THESIS QUESTION:
· Why should we remove our troops from Iraq?
· Why should we not remove our troops from Iraq?
· 3 best reasons
o most important, significant, relevant or strongest, most persuasive, argumentative
TITLE:
· Short, simple, clear
· Topic + Main Idea
· US Troops Should Be Removed from Iraq
· Reasons not to Remove US Troops from Iraq
INTRODUCTION:
· Introduce the idea
o current event or hot-button topic
o epochal moments in our lives
o of recent news concerning the issue (actions, statements, bills, proposals)
o “everybody” or “most college students” or “most in the 18-20 demographic”
· segue to this issue
o this issue
o this epoch
o this proposal
o “some,” “others”
· introduce your position
o your side
· * “Tip your hat” to other, less significant, minor reasons
o Some reasons we should remove/not remove our troops from Iraq include ….
o This will force you to answer, “Why these three reasons?” in your Thesis
o “Because” they are the most important, most significant, most relevant reasons
· THESIS STATEMENT –
o Topic + Main Idea + Support
o However, the three most important reasons US troops should be removed from Iraq involve ….
o US troops should not be removed from Iraq because _____, _____, and ______.
BODY:
· Each paragraph = 1 reason
· Paragraph structure:
· (1) Name the reason –
o Use a strong Topic Sentence
o Enumerate the reason – use transitional expressions
o Look back and look forward (mention the previous reason/s and then the one for this paragraph)
· (2) Briefly explain the reason
o “In other words” or “That is to say” or “Put simply”
· (3) Illustrate the reason with specific examples or instances
o “For instance” and “For example”
o Use only specific, clear, relevant/germane examples
· (4) Warrant/justify the example
o Repeat the reason (reword the Topic Sentence)
o Conclude the paragraph (Clincher Sentence)
o Perhaps segue to the next reason
CONCLUSION:
· Repeat –
o Ideas from the Introduction
o Tip your hat again to the minor reasons
o Main ideas & reasons
o Thesis
· Take full advantage of your last chance to “sell” (argue, persuade)
· End with an appropriate Clincher Sentence
WORKS CONSULTED:
· Include all the resources you consulted for this project
· Not only those you have cited in the paper
· Use proper MLA format
· List items alphabetically (no numbers)
· Use Reverse Indentation
· WC page:
o Its own, separate page
o Continue the header
o The words “works consulted” =
§ Capitalize the “w” and the “c”
§ Centered
§ No bold
§ No underline
§ No ALLCAPS
§ No quotation marks