Paragraph Writing Outline

Part #1: The Topic Sentence

“What I want to say is… ___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________ .
1. Be sure to cover the Main Idea of your paragraph in the Topic Sentence.

2. Use a General (Shorter assignments), Clueing, or Specific (Longer assignments) Topic

Sentences depepending on the assignment you are doing.

Part#2: The Body of the Paragraph

Use the following formula for each for each paragraph

1. Lead-Off Sentence/ Claim: Provide 1 main idea/detail that will support the topic

sentence of your paragraph.

2. Follow-Up Sentence/ Evidence: Provide a fact, quote, paraphrase, or some example

to make your point to the reader more clear/valid.

3. Explanation: Show the connection between your detail/ evidence and the topic

sentence- do not assume your reader will be able to do so on his/her own.

*** You may or may not need to provide more than one Main Idea/Detail & Explanations

depending on the content and practical constraints of your paragraph.

Part Three: The Conclusion/ Clincher Sentence

“What I want my audience to understand after reading my essay is … ______________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________
 Paragraph Writing Outline

.
Part #1: The Topic Sentence

“What I want to say is… ___________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

Part#2: The Body of the Paragraph

Main Idea/Detail #1 Lead-Off Sentence:

_______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

Follow-Up Sentence/ Evidence #1 Sentence:

_______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

Main Idea/Detail #2 Lead-Off Sentence:

_______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

Follow-Up Sentence/ Evidence #2 Sentence:

_______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

Main Idea/Detail #3 Lead-Off Sentence:

_______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

Follow-Up Sentence/ Evidence #3 Sentence:

_______________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________ .

Part Three: The Conclusion/ Clincher Sentence

“What I want my audience to understand after reading my essay is …

_____________________________________________________________________________________
 Paragraph Writing Outline
______________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________ .