This document is an essay organizer that provides prompts and checklists to help a student write an argumentative essay arguing that dogs are better pets than cats. The organizer includes sections for brainstorming topics, outlining the introduction, body paragraphs with supporting points, and conclusion. It prompts the student to introduce topics, provide sources for support, and check that each paragraph logically supports the thesis that dogs are better pets. The goal is for the student to fully organize and outline their essay before writing to ensure a clear, well-supported argument.

1. ESSAY ORGANIZER Submit by Email Print Form
SAVE TO YOUR COMPUTER BEFORE TYPING - COMPLETE USING ADOBE READER - SAVE OFTEN.
Your Name Brooke Mitchell
Your Topic Dogs better than cats
Type of Essay
need help choosing?
Persuasive / Argumentative Compare / Contrast Cause / Effect Definition
Informational Interview Descriptive Evaluation Literary Analysis
Division and Classification Narrative Other
BRAINSTORMING
Link to your Mindmap
OR
Free Mind Map Site
Attach your Mindmap illustration file here Mind Meister
Thesis Statement
Need help?
I believe that... dogs are better pets than cats.
Is your thesis narrowly focused?
READ THIS BEFORE MOVING ON
Did you complete the thesis checklist?
Is your language at a high-level?
Your Subtopics
Topic Topic Topic
1 2 3
Are your topics different?
Are your topics interesting?
By discussing these topics, will you be able to prove your thesis true?

2. Topic 1
What is a good sentence to
introduce this topic to your
reader?
Is your language at a high-level?
Support #1
Source
Is your language at a high-level?
Support #2
Source
Is your language at a high-level?
Support #3
Source
Is your language at a high-level?
What is a good sentence to
transition into the next
paragraph? Transition word help
Is your language at a high-level?
QUICK PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST
Is the information arranged from less important to most important?
Does every sentence help support your topic?
Does this information get you a step closer to proving your thesis?
Do you provide sentences of different lengths and complexities in this paragraph?

3. Topic 2
What is a good sentence to
introduce this topic to your
reader?
Is your language at a high-level?
Support #1
Source
Is your language at a high-level?
Support #2
Source
Is your language at a high-level?
Support #3
Source
Is your language at a high-level?
What is a good sentence to
transition into the next
paragraph? Transition word help
Is your language at a high-level?
QUICK PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST
Is the information arranged from less important to most important?
Does every sentence help support your topic?
Does this information get you a step closer to proving your thesis?
Do you provide sentences of different lengths and complexities in this paragraph?

4. Topic 3
What is a good sentence to
introduce this topic to your
reader?
Is your language at a high-level?
Support #1
Source
Is your language at a high-level?
Support #2
Source
Is your language at a high-level?
Support #3
Source
Is your language at a high-level?
QUICK PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST
Is the information arranged from less important to most important?
Does every sentence help support your topic?
Does this information get you a step closer to proving your thesis?
Do you provide sentences of different lengths and complexities in this paragraph?

5. Introduction Paragraph
Need help?
Ask yourself
How can I get my reader's attention?
Imagine your reader knows nothing about your topic. What background information could I give my reader about my
topic?
Why should the reader care to know this information?
What is it you are trying to prove?
Attention Getter
Need help?
What was your attention getter? A Question A Quick Story An Interesting Fact A Quote
A Shocking Statistic An Unusual Statement Other
Background Information
- Introduce your topic, but not
your thesis
- Provide insider details that
would help your reader better
understand your topic, but not
information you are discussing in
your support.
Is your language at a high-level?
Why should your reader care?
Complete this sentence..
It is important that you read
this essay because...
Is your language at a high-level?
Thesis Statement
(paste the one you already
wrote on page 1)
QUICK PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST
Did you avoid referring to yourself or your reader directly?
Would you want to read your paper after reading your introduction?

6. Conclusion Paragraph
Need help?
A conclusion should...
Include a brief summary of the paper's main points. Evoke a vivid image
Suggest results or consequences Wrap it all up for your reader
Leave a lasting impression
Restate your thesis in
a fresh, new way
Is your language at a high-level?
Summarize /
Reflect / Give Final
thoughts on Topic 1
Is your language at a high-level? Did you summarize AND provide a final thought?
Summarize /
Reflect / Give Final
thoughts on Topic 2
Is your language at a high-level? Did you summarize AND provide a final thought?
Summarize /
Reflect / Give Final
thoughts on Topic 3
Is your language at a high-level? Did you summarize AND provide a final thought?
Final Thought
-Contains vivid language
-Compound or Complex sentence
-Leave a lasting impression
-Sums up your essay in one
incredible sentence
Is your language at a high-level?
QUICK PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST
Did you avoid referring to yourself or your reader directly?
Did you feel your conclusion leaves the reader satisfied and impressed?

7. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Copy and Paste your citations you created using Easybib.
-MLA Format
Citations
in
Alphabetical
Order
Paragraph Organization- Read to see where your sentences go in your essay.
Paragraph 1- Introduction Paragraph 3 - Body Paragraph 2 Paragraph 5 - Conclusion
- Attention Getter - Topic Introduction - Thesis Restatement
- Background Information - Support 1 - Summarize/Reflect/Final - Topic 1
- Why should we care sentence - Support 2 - Summarize/Reflect/Final - Topic 2
- Thesis Statement - Support 3 - Summarize/Reflect/Final - Topic 3
- Transition - Strong Final Thought
Paragraph 2 - Body Paragraph 1
Paragraph 4 - Body Paragraph 3 Final page - Bibliography
- Topic Introduction - On a new page
- Support 1 - Topic Introduction - Titled - Bibliography
- Support 2 - Support 1 - Use citations created from Easybib
- Support 3 - Support 2 - MLA Format
- Transition - Support 3 - Alphabetized
Before you submit checklist
Is your paper in Time New Roman font? Do you proofread at least 3 times?
Do you use 12 pt font? Has someone other than you read this paper?
Do you use double space? Did I put everything in my own words to avoid plagiarism?
Do I spell everything correctly? Have I done my best?
Did I check all punctuation and capitalization?
Did I rid my essay of unnecessary qualifiers like "Really" "Just" "Sort of" "Like" and "So"
Do you get rid of BABY WORDS and use a thesaurus to enhance your language? mrdaley@mrdaley.com