Language Arts

General Writing Response Format

Informative/Explanatory Essay

Intro. Paragraph:

  1. Title, author, mini summary (1 sentence)

  2. Extended summary (3-5 sentences fully summarizing the story: beginning → middle → end)

  3. Thesis (statement that addresses the assigned topic)

Body Paragraphs:

  1. Topic Sentence (Frame)

  2. The Dance

    • Evidence #1: Direct quote/proof from the text (consider using author’s name/source/citation)

    • Elaboration #1: Discuss/explain what your evidence means. Why does it matter?

    • Evidence #2: Direct quote/proof from the text (consider using author’s name/source/citation)

    • Elaboration #2: Discuss/explain what your evidence means. Why does it matter?

  3. Wrap it up

Conclusion Paragraph:

  1. Restate thesis

  2. Connect philosophically/theologically/anecdotally (brief story)

  3. Wrap it up

Argumentative/Persuasive Essay

Intro. Paragraph:

  1. Hook

    • Question

    • Story

    • Quote

    • Statistic

    • Light exaggeration (no “we’re all gonna die”)

  2. Fluff (Three reasons)

    • 2nd best

    • 3rd best (hide the worst in middle)

    • Save the best for last

  3. Thesis (powerful statement that expresses what you want)

Body Paragraphs:

  1. Topic Sentence

  2. The Dance

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

    • Evidence (Quote with author’s name/source/citation…prove it)

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

    • Evidence (Quote with author’s name/source/citation…prove it)

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

  3. Wrap it up

Counter Argument

  1. Topic Sentence (Some people believe/may argue)

  2. The Dance

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

    • Evidence (Quote with author’s name/source/citation…prove it)

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

    • Evidence (Quote with author’s name/source/citation…prove it)

    • Discuss/Explain (Support the topic)

  3. Wrap it up

Conclusion Paragraph:

  1. Restate topic

  2. Give a solution/philosophy/supporting anecdote (brief story)

  3. Wrap it up

Narrative Story

Story Suggestions:

  1. Pre-write your events, starting with #10. Then work down from the top (#1-9) to fill in your plot points, similar to a storyboard with pictures.

  2. Complete a roller coaster outline like this one or this one. 

  3. Consider the following tips:

    • "Once upon a time…" (but never use those exact words).

    • Thin slicing: choose a very narrow window of time (it's nearly impossible to tell a short story without limiting time to a few hours or a day)

    • Sensory language: Can you draw me in with my senses (things I’d see, hear, smell, taste, or touch)? Use a few from that list to pull the reader in. You definitely don't need to use them all.

How to write a summary:

  1. Read article twice

  2. Tarzan it (highlight the important parts/main story ideas)

  3. Flip the paper over…write down everything you remember

  4. Divide into 3 BME parts for summary (beginning, middle, and end)

  5. Divide your BME’s into 1’s, 2’s, and 3’s

  6. Rewrite into paragraphs (length depends on the original source)

  7. Begin your intro with a title, author, and mini-summary

  8. Once done, proofread twice


Short Answer Response (Think Question Style)

  1. A: Answer the question (frame it)

  2. C: Cite evidence (using the original text) 

  3. E: Explain (elaborate)...talk it out 

  4. Wrap it up

MLA Formatting

https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/research_and_citation/mla_style/mla_formatting_and_style_guide/mla_general_format.html