2. Introduction paragraph
In the intro paragraph the author gives some
background information on the subject. In her
case, the subject is the buying and selling of
human organs.
3. Your introduction paragraph
Your introduction paragraph should also give
some background, only in your case it will be
about the chapter (or chapters) from The
Things They Carried or another book that
you're writing about.
4. Inquiry Question
The sample essay contains the inquiry
question, "So why are we standing in the way?"
(This is in reference to organ sales).
5. Thesis
The author then goes on to answer her inquiry
question with her thesis, "Governments should
not ban the sale of human organs; they should
regulate it. Lives should not be wasted; they
should be saved."
6. Your thesis
Your thesis will also appear at the end of your
introduction paragraph and answer your inquiry
question.
The big difference is your question will revolve
around a topic related to the story (or stories)
that you're writing about.
7. Body paragraphs
The body paragraphs in the "Organ Sales Will
Save Lives" essay begin with claims about a
specific point the author is making.
- "Dialysis is harsh, expensive, and, worst of all,
only temporary."
- "Kidney transplantation, on the other hand, is
the closest thing to a cure that anyone could
hope for."
- "But those hoping for a new kidney have high
hopes indeed."
8. Your body paragraphs
Your body paragraphs will also begin with
claims.
Your claims will need to work directly towards
making your point and proving your thesis.
The sample essay works gradually because the
author had much more space to work with than
you do.
9. Examples
The body paragraphs in the "Organ Sales Will
Save Lives" essay make extensive use of
examples to prove the writer's point.
"With the sales of organs outlawed in almost
every country, the number of living donors
willing to part with a kidney for free is small."
"A kidney from a living donor can last over
twice as long."
10. Your examples
You also want to use examples. Only you will
have just two sources.
1 - The chapter (or chapters) you chose from
The Things They Carried or another book.
2 - A credible outside source (perhaps
something you found through google from a
newspaper's website, not a blog or wikipedia).
12. Your examples (continued)
Then you will want to follow up the quote or
description with an explanation of how the
quote or description supports and illustrates
your claim. It may seem obvious to you, but it's
not always that way to the reader.
So you're making a quote sandwich:
Claim
Quote (or example, description, etc.)
Explanation
13. Anticipating Objections
In the last paragraph on page 95, the author
considers possible objections.
"Critics fear that controlling the lawful sale of
organs would be too difficult..."
14. Anticipating Objections (continued)
You'll also want to take a paragraph (the one
before your conclusion) to consider possible
objections to your thesis.
You want to make sure to spell out the
argument (or arguments) someone might use
to counter you.
You can (but are not obligated to) refute or
accommodate this counterargument in this
same paragraph.
15. Conclusion
The conclusion paragraph in the "Organ Sales
Will Save Lives" essay explains the importance
of the topic in the "real world."
"In matters of life and death, our stances on
moral issues must be reevaluated. If legalized
and regulated, the sale of human organs would
save lives."
16. Your conclusion
You want to explain the importance of your
topic in the "real world" and possibly briefly
restate your argument.
There is no need to make any new points in the
conclusion, you just want to help the reader
leave your essay remembering your topic and
understanding why it is important.