1. Establish the setting of the essay. Briefly introduce the reader to the subject.
(Example: “The Civil War, occurring between the years 1861 and 1865, was the most
devastating conflict in American history.”
2. Provide an insightful comment that establishes your basis for analysis.
Example: “In determining whether the Civil War was a revolution in American society,
one must assess the extent to which society was changed by the war.”
3. Provide a partition that establishes three major sub-topics you plan to discuss.
Example: "Politically, the war established the supremacy of the Republican party in
national politics for much of the next fifty years. Socially, the war saw significant gains
in African American rights. And constitutionally, the war established the supremacy of
the federal government over the states."
4. Finish paragraph with a clear thesis statement that establishes the purpose of the essay.
Example: "Thus, the Civil War did, in fact, represent a political, social and constitutional
revolution in America."