English 1302

1.    Sentence one provides the name of the author, the genre (essay, novel, etc.) and title of the work with the date, a concise appropriate verb (claims, posits, argues) followed by a “that” phrase in which the thesis of the work is stated (either paraphrased or quoted).

2.    Sentence two provides an explanation of how the author goes about supporting his/her thesis.

3.    Sentence three states the purpose of the piece (which may reflect the thesis, but should also include the writer’s motive – why is she/he writing this piece?) This is accomplished with an “in order to” phrase.

4.    Sentence four explains the author’s intended audience and how the author positions him or herself with that audience.