The first
step you should take in writing a
position essay is writing the outline.
An outline should lead to the following
elements of the essay:
The first
paragraph consists of several
sentences, culminating in a thesis
statement. The thesis statement is
usually one sentence with three points
that are expanded in the second, third,
and fourth paragraphs.
Each of the
second, third, and fourth paragraphs is
about one of the points in your thesis
statement, in the order you stated
them.
Begin each of
these paragraphs with an introductory
sentence to give a general idea of what
the paragraph is about. The second
sentence would then be an example of
the paragraph's main idea. The third
and fourth sentences might provide
supporting examples of the second
sentence. A fifth sentence could
present another example of the
paragraph's main idea. Then the sixth
and seventh sentences would present
supporting examples of the fifth
sentence. The eighth sentence is the
last example of the paragraph's main
idea. The ninth and tenth are
supporting examples of the eighth
sentence. The eleventh sentence is the
conclusion on the topic.
The fifth
paragraph is your conclusion. The very
first sentence should be a restatement
of your thesis statement. The rest of
the fifth paragraph concludes your
essay. Briefly summarize your essay's
main points. Conclude your essay with
one or more of the
following:
- ask a
provocative question.
- evoke a vivid
image.
- call for some
sort of action.
- end with a
warning.
- suggest
results or consequences.