EAP OUTLINE NOTES

INTRODUCTION

Make it creative

Provide background for your argument. To do so, use:

  • anecdote (a brief story)
  • colorful language, sensory details, figurative language (simile, metaphor, personification)
  • strong verbs
  • pose a challenging question

Relate an engaging anecdote. Example: the story of Lady the cat.

Provide sensory details. Examples: sleek ermine coat; pale-green eyes; scuffed blue jeans; freckled, ruddy face; thickly cabled forearms

Use strong verbs. Examples: drooped, glanced, cast, transforming, compelled, nodded, filtering, whisk

Use figurative language. Examples: like a queen of silent film with one last swoon left in her; like demolition experts

Author’s Claim

Explain, summarize, paraphrase author’s claim. (Don’t just quote it.)

The purpose is to prove you understand what he/she is saying.

Attributive Tag

Include an attributive tag introducing Bilger and his article

  • Attributive Tag = author/title reference
  • Ex: “Bilger, author of ‘The Last Meow,’ claims that…argues that….states that”….etc.

Thesis (Position Statement)

Conclude your introduction by taking a stand in response to the author’s claim

(Do you agree, disagree, or both?)

Optional – in thesis or elsewhere in intro paragraph, identify the main reasons for your opinion (which will be developed in bodies)

BODY PARAGRAPHS

Persuade and Convince You are Right

How will you convince the reader to agree with you? How will you persuade them you are right/that your thesis is true? Turn your thesis into a question. Now answer it by…..

-Identifying the main reasons/logic/main ideas (topic sentences)

-Supporting each “answer” (reason/logic/main idea) with ORE or by raising HEL!

  • (ORE/HEL = evidence/concrete examples to prove your reason or further explain your reason’s importance)
  • Literature/Readings are best
  • Observations/History is second best(sometimes also the best – if strong!)
  • Experiences are the weakest (but if used well can still earn a high score)

-Be sure to state why any of this matters!!! (Why is the evidence and reasoning important?)

Counter-argument (if time)

One reason opponents may disagree; argue back with logic/reasoning or HEL/ORE

CONCLUSION

Provide a “call to action.” (What can your readers do about this issue?)

-Revisit the question you posed in your introduction, and remind readers why they should agree with your position.

-Create a “frame” for your essay, just as Bilger did, by concluding the anecdote that you created for your introduction and then reflecting on its importance or posing additional questions that leave the reader thinking.

-Counter argument