Think of this as an outline of the argument that you will be making in your essay. Except for the title, every sentence on this assignment will be an argument.

The title must be the "Why?" question that your thesis answers.

I. Thesis statement that answers the"Why?" question

A. First smaller argument that will prove I. to be correct and how it will prove I. to be correct.

B. Second smaller argument that will prove I. to be correct and how it will prove I. to be correct

C. Third smaller argument that will prove I. to be correct and how it will prove I. to be correct

and so on.

Include at least 4 topic sentences. You might consider whether you have any words that suggest analysis in these sentences. Also, make each topic sentence clearly express how it supports the thesis. In your final paper this may be a little awkward, but for the purposes of this assignment indicate precisely how the paragraph will prove the thesis.

PURPOSE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT

You get to formulate your argument a substantial amount of time before your final essay is due in class. This will lead to a better grade on your final paper. The other purpose is that you get to envision each of your paragraphs not as a collection of information, but as arguments in support of your larger argument, and you lay out for yourself (and the professor) what you need to prove in order to prove the thesis. This will result in far more interesting and sophisticated written work.