This format is good for writing persuasive and argumentative papersThere are many formats for writing essays. This is just ONE of them and a very common one. This format is not good for writing a summary, narrative, compare/contrast, or cause/effect. Nevertheless, it is a very valuable tool for organizing writing.

Take notes. You will use this format until the end of the year. You will also be

required to use this information on your finals in December and in May. You will be allowed to use these notes if you are still in possession of them.

ABCDE Essay Format

Each letter of the ABCDE Essay format stands for a part of the essay:

A--stands for ATTENTION GRABBER

It is the 1st sentence of your essay

On occasion you will see a question for the Att. Grabber, but for this essay it NOT a because I want you to try something new.

It can be a:• quotation• fact• clever thought

B—Background Information

•Part of the first paragraph

•Provides background information about your topic.

•Must flow smoothly between the A and the C

•Approximately 5-10 sentences long

•Typically the most difficult portion of the essay for a student to write

C—Central Thesis

The central thesis is the last sentence of the first paragraph. It is made up of 2 parts:

• An opinion

• 3 reasons for that opinion

•This is the first sentence we write when we begin an essay

Note that A, B, and C are all in the 1st paragraph ofthe essay

abce

ABC

ABCDE Essay

•There are 3 dividers•They are often called "body Paragraphs"

D--DIVIDERS

abce

ABC

D1D2D3

ABCDE Essay

•Each Divider has a topic sentence. Their topic sentences are made up of the opinion of the thesis and ONE reason from the thesis

D--DIVIDERS

OPINION of thesis 1 REASON

Topic sentence of Divider

D1--Topic sentence

ABC

D2--Topic sentence

D3--Topic sentence

•Each divider has 3 pieces of evidence to support each topic sentence

D--DIVIDERS

D3--Topic sentencea. Evidenceb. Evidencec. Evidence

D2--Topic sentencea. Evidenceb. Evidencec. Evidence

D1--Topic sentencea. Evidenceb. Evidencec. Evidence

D--DividersThe TOPIC SENTENCE of each Divider begins with a transition word such as• First• Second• Third

D2—Second,Topic sentencea. Evidenceb. Evidencec. Evidence

D1—First, Topic sentencea. Evidenceb. Evidencec. Evidence

D3—Third, Topic sentencea. Evidenceb. Evidencec. Evidence

Each example also begins with a transition word such as:

•For example,•Also,•In addition,•Furthermore,

D2—Second,Topic sentenceFor example, EvidenceFurthermore, EvidenceAlso, Evidence

D1—First, Topic sentenceFor example, EvidenceAlso, EvidenceIn addition, Evidence

D3—Third, Topic sentenceFor example, EvidenceIn addition, EvidenceFurthermore, Evidence

D-DIVIDER

E--ENDINGThis is the last paragraph of the essay. It comments on the thesis using at least 4 sentences. DO NOT REPEAT THE THESIS.

•One sentence comments on the OPINION of the thesis

•Another sentence or 2 comments on Reason ONE

•Another sentence or 2 comments on Reason TWO

•Another sentence or 2 comments on s Reason THREE

•Wrap up--2 to 3 sentences. It's clever and says something important about your topic.

D2—Second, Topic sentence a. For example, Evidence b. Furthermore, Evidence c. Also, Evidence

D1—First, Topic sentence a. For example, Evidence b. Also, Evidence c. In addition, Evidence

D3—Third, Topic sentence a. For example, Evidence b. In addition, Evidence c. Furthermore, Evidence

ABC

Ending

This illustrates the format of the ABCDE essay.

We will now figure out how to use this format to write an actual essay.

Important point: Write in

third person unless specifically directed otherwise (which I won’t do).