Getting Started

Lets say youre a high school student taking English or a college student stuck in a writing-
intensive core class. Youre going to have to write a paper. Its just a fact of life. So instead of
fighting it, lets just make it as easy as possible.

The outline Im about to give you is simple. Essentially, the format requires just six original
sentences and the rest is nothing more than reiteration and support of the ideas in those original
sentences. Just like the tactics of Brasidas, you forge the rudimentary shape with the introduction
and then all thats left is defense everyone (every word) knows their job.

No longer is the professor grading you in terms of the prompt, because you have redefined the
dynamic on your terms. You have taken the prompt and made it your own. By emphatically
laying out your own rules and track, excellence is achieved simply by following them. You place
the reader in the middle of the square, protected by all sides, and methodically move them
forward, defending doubts and objections as they arise.

Ill go into specific examples soon, but heres a hypothetical outline for a five-page paper:

Introduction

1. Begin with a broad, conclusive hook. This will be the meta-theme of the paper. Example from
a paper on The Great Gatsby: When citizens exhibit a flagrant disregard of morality and law,
societies quickly crumble.

2. Thesis. This needs to specify and codify the hook in relation to the prompt/subject. Ex: This
atmosphere as shown in F. Scott Fitzgeralds The Great Gatsby with blatant corruption and
illegal activity eventually seems to become all but incompatible with a meaningful
incarnation of the American Dream.

3. One sentence laying foundation for first body paragraph. (These are mini-theses for each point
you will argue.) Ex: Though Gatsby was a bootlegger, he was driven by hope and love, rather
than the greed that motivated his status-obsessed guests.

4. One Sentence for second body paragraph. (Just like the sentence you just did)

5. One sentence for third body paragraph.

6. Restate the hook and thesis into a single transition sentence into the first paragraph. The
1920s as the epitome of excess and reactionism symbolized a sharp break in the American
tradition; one that no one seemed to mind.

Notes/Advice: Some say the thesis should go at the bottom of the intro instead of the top, which
I think is a huge mistake. The point of a paper is to make an assertion and then support it. You
cant support it until youve made it.
Body #1

1. Rewrite first body paragraph thesis.

2. Support the mini-thesis with evidence and analysis.

3. Restate body paragraph thesis in the context of thesis as a whole.

Notes/Advice:

-Begin with your strongest piece of evidence

-Introduce quotes/points like this: Broad->Specific->Analysis/Conclusion

-Always integrate the quote, and try to incorporate analysis into the same sentence. As a general
rule never use more than 5-7 of the authors words. Normally you can use even less: It was Jay,
who despite the corruption around him, looked forward to what was described as an orgiastic
future.'

Body #2

1. Rewrite second body paragraph thesis.

2. Support mini-thesis.

3. Restate body paragraph thesis in context of the paragraph above and thesis as whole.

Body #3

1. Rewrite third body paragraph thesis.

2. Support mini-thesis.

3. Restate body paragraph thesis in context of the paragraph above and thesis as whole.

Conclusion

1. Restate hook/meta-theme.

2. Specify this with restatement of thesis once more.

3. One sentence for each body paragraph, surmising its assertion.

4. One sentence for each body paragraph, surmising its assertion.

5. One sentence for each body paragraph, surmising its assertion.

6. Rewrite hook and thesis into a conclusion sentence.

7. Last sentence must transition to a general statement about human nature. The American
Dream and any higher aspiration requires a society that both looks forward and onwards as
well as holds itself to corrective standards.

Thats it. Seriously. It works for a paper of 300 words just as much as it does for one of 300
pages. Its self-generating, self-reinforcing, and self-fulfilling. Could you ask for anything
better?

Just like the tactics of the great generals, by laying out the square in advance with clear, orderly
lines, you insulate yourself from the chaos of improvisation. You mark the boundaries now so
you dont have to later, and excellence is achieved simply by filling them in with your sentences.
Each paragraph is given a singular purpose and its only duty is fulfillment. Like I said earlier,
with this structure you place the reader in the middle of the square, protected by all sides, and
methodically move them forward, defending doubts and objections as they arise. And that is a
great essay.