The Hook

1. The Hook • This is the very first sentence in your essay • Its purpose is to pique the readers attention to continue reading • Andrew Jackson’s handling of domestic affairs during his administration saved the United States from a civil war. • Americans are responsible for one in four Cherokees dying while moving to Oklahoma during the Trail of Tears. • Andrew Jackson appears to many to be an American hero but his actions suggest he is tyrant.

2. Background Information • This is a brief description of the subject of the essay • The information that you were prompted to define

3. Thesis Statement • This is your claim • What will you be discussing in the essay? • How will you support your claim? • Road map

4. Body Paragraphs! Your paragraph should have at a minimum six sentences. Having the right sequence helps the reader understand the points your are trying to make. It is like a juicy hamburger. The more you add to your paragraph the better it is going to taste.

5. Your Hamburger (Body Paragraph) • Topic Sentence • Should describe or introduce the topic of the body paragraph • Fact • Your fact should be a statement you can defend • Example • The example you choose should justify why you chose your fact. It should tell the reader why your fact is true. • Tie Back • This should tie together the information explained in your paragraph.

6. Conclusion! • Your Conclusion should contain the “so what” of your paper. • You argued three points (body paragraphs), why are your arguments important? • What do you want your final impression to be?

7. More for a Conclusion • Avoid summarizing what you have argued. • This is redundant • Show the reader why your essay matters. • Dig for a deeper meaning. Ask yourself “so what,” about your paper. • Briefly mention your main arguments in your conclusion and use it as a launching point for a bigger point.