Academic Essay Structure
I. Intro
A. *Attention—getter
Give me my
horror movies and no one gets hurt!
B. Intro:
Intro topic as much as necessary (History/Background/Relevant Facts)
**One idea per paragraph please
C.
Opposition: Acknowledge the other
side
1. Their stance on the topic
2. Their reasons
**Present/Identify,
but do not develop
**Remain objective
until you reach your thesis
Fearful world
view; give sickos ideas; desensitize
*D.
Authority: Why is your opinion valid?
You have seen
3,017 horror films
You are a horror
film buff
E. Thesis:
Topic + Claim (supportable)
“What should the reader think/know/do?”
Horror movies provide us with sane options for
dealing with our insane urges and emotions.
*F.
Set-up: Identify the points you will
develop
Safe challenges;
Antisocial urges; Normality
**Your thesis should
be the final sentence in your intro. The
reader is ready for your argument.
II. Body (just a
sample—papers will differ)
A.
Main Point 1: Safe challenges
1. support/evidence/example
2. support/evidence/example
B. Main Point 2:
Antisocial Urges
1. support/evidence/example
2. support/evidence/example
C. Main Point 3:
Normality
1. Sub—point: Not as evil
a. support/evidence/example
2.
Sub—point: Not as crazy
a. support/evidence/example
3.
Sub–point: Not as ugly
a. support/evidence/example
4. Not as
stupid: Not as stupid
III.
Conclusion: Leave the reader thinking
without introducing new ideas.
·
project into future
+/—
·
ask reader to
put self in another’s shoes
·
tell him what to
do with this new knowledge