Four Paragraph Essay Graphic Organizer Literary Essay

Introductory Paragraph
This will be the first paragraph in your essay. An introductory paragraph moves from general ideas to your specific focus (thesis).

Theme Statement: hints at, in a general way, the topic of your essay (should grab the attention of your reader)

Harness Statement: this statement links the “theme” statement to the piece of literature (mention author and title)

List Thesis: this sentence now identifies your essay’s focus and the sub-topics (arguments)

Body Paragraphs
Each of your thesis points will become a paragraph in your essay.
Thesis Argument (Body Paragraph)#1 Thesis Argument (Body Paragraph) #2
Topic Sentence (Character 1): Topic Sentence (Character 2):

Point 1: Point 1:
Proof 1: (refer to an incident in the play using direct quotes and Proof 1: (refer to an incident in the play using direct quotes and
citations) citations)

Explanation 1: Explanation 1:

Transition word: Transition word:

Point 2: Point 2:
Proof 2: Proof 2:
Explanation 2: Explanation 2:

Concluding Sentence: Concluding Sentence:

Concluding Paragraph
The concluding paragraph moves from the specific to the general. Therefore, repeat your thesis, and arguments. Then sum up using a clincher.
Repeat thesis using different wording:

Repeat arguments:

Clincher: