UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SANTA CRUZ
Here is a very simple template you can use to begin your essays and outlines for Psych 80B and, indeed, for most other classes:
Basic TRIAC Outline for Essays
(Thesis; Restatement of the thesis with detail and
key terms; Illustration (examples); Argument (or
explanation); Conclusion)
1) Start with the title of your essay, which should contain the topic on which you are writing.
2) Thesis paragraph (T): State the main point(s) you are making in your essay. Then give a little detail about what you are going to talk about. For this example, we'll say you have 2 main points or topics.
3) Restatement (R) of each main point you listed in #2, followed by:
a) Illustration, where you provide examples for each main point and
b) Argument, where you argue for each main point or explain it.
Point 1, Illustration,
Argument
Point 2, how
it's related to point 1, Illustration, Argument
and so on...
This 3-a-b sequence forms the body of your essay, and is made up of illustrations and arguments, or comparisons, scenes, anecdotes, explanations. Start this section with a topic sentence, stating what you're going to talk about--mentioning your first main point again. Keep the paragraph focused on the main point. Remember to support what you say with evidence or detail. Use as many paragraphs as you need for each main point. Each paragraph will have illustrations and argument
Repeat the above for each main point. For each main point after the first one, state how it's related to the points you've made above. When you're finished, ask yourself whether or not you are happy with the order of your paragraphs, and if the order seems logical and effective.
4) Conclusion (C): Now you sum up what you've said
and argued for. Mention the main points again, what you've demonstrated
with them, and state your thesis statement again--to show you've
proved it, made it credible, and recognize the lesson you've learned
or realization you've made.
Remember that the number of explanatory paragraphs in the "body"will vary with the number of main points you choose to deal with (two or three for a 5-page paper; three to seven for a 10-page paper).
Want more specifics and other options?
Another Essay Template
Introduction
Get the reader's attention by asking a leading question; relay
something enticing about the subject in a manner that commands
attention. Start with a related quote, alluring description, or
narration.
State the thesis--the causes and effects to be discussed; comparison
of subject X and subject Y; your position on the issue; your proposal
if applicable; and the main points that will develop your argument.
Body
First Point, Assertion, Explanation
Supporting evidence (examples, facts, statistics, quoted authorities,
details, reasons, examples)
Supporting evidence
Second point, Assertion, Explanation
Support (as above)
Your ideas (if applicable)
Address opposing viewpoints
Conclusion
Show how explanations (causes) are logical, producing the
effects discussed; review subject X and subject Y; reiterate your
assertion and proposition (if applicable). Reemphasize your thesis
in a fresh way, showing how your have achieved your purpose. If
you intend to draw a conclusion about one subject over the other,
emphasize that point.
Deal with opposing views unless done above.
Appeal to the reader to see how you have come to a logical conclusion.
Make a memorable final statement.
Some other things to consider:
Writing Process Tips
Select your subject and decide on your point of view:
· cause and effect,
· compare and contrast,
· persuasive,
· or some other viewpoint.
The thesis is your statement of purpose. The thesis should be one sentence in length. This is the foundation of your essay and it will serve to guide you in writing the entire paper. Don't begin to write your essay until you have a clear thesis. And remember that a thesis statement must contain both the topic and a POINT. That is, a subject (the "what") and your position (the "so what").
Gather all factual information using guidelines for documentation and works cited.
Consider all potential main points, rating them in order of importance or relevance to the thesis.
Assemble collected facts to support each explanation.
Prepare an outline arranging the main points in the best order for the desired effect. The purpose of an outline is to make your task easier. As you write your outline, ask yourself whether each idea serves to clarify and strengthen the thesis. Insert your specific information into the outline structure given above.
Write a rough draft of the essay, saving at least two copies to your hard disk or onto a floppy diskette. Print it out. Lay the paper aside.
Proofread later with a fresh perspective; the computer can
check spelling errors easily. Be aware that sometimes a word is
correctly spelled but used incorrectly in a particular sentence.
It is still important to proofread after the spell check. Print
the final copy.
TEMPLATE PROVIDED BY: Lane Millet, terrance@phoenixwritingservices.com
http://www.phoenixwritingservices.com