Task 4: Thesis & Essay

*This essay requires at least three secondary sources.

See Appendix D (D.2) in Course Materials
What can be done to improve college
What is the problem you want to write about? graduation rate?

What are possible solutions to this problem?

Why will these solutions work?

THESIS – combine the above: One solution to the problem + 2-4 reasons it will
work.

Before drafting, let’s brainstorm.

Reason 1 Reason 2 Reason 3

Provide one example

supporting this reason.

Provide another
example supporting
this reason.

Provide another
example supporting
this reason.

Let’s find at least three

sources to support
your reasons.

WGU Library: Course

Information at bottom
of course page

NEXT PAGE – DRAFTING GUIDE

 Let’s Draft the Essay!
As you write, try to avoid personal pronouns: I, me, my, you, your
Introduction Paragraph
First Body Paragraph
Visit Appendix D (D.2) in your Course Materials for
information about paragraph structure and
development
Second Body Paragraph
Third Body Paragraph
Background (4+ sentences): Set up the problem and
build toward thesis.
Show why this problem is important. Why do we
need to solve it?
Thesis statement – should be last sentence of
introduction
Topic Sentence: one sentence stating the 1st reason
from thesis
2-4 sentences: Provide examples that support the first
reason
2-4 sentences: Follow examples with explanations of
how they support this reason
Last sentence: connect back to the thesis and provide
closure to paragraph
Topic Sentence: one sentence stating the 2nd reason
from thesis
2-4 sentences: Provide examples that support the
second reason
2-4 sentences: Follow examples with explanations of
how they support this reason
Last sentence: connect back to the thesis and provide
closure to paragraph
Topic Sentence: one sentence stating the 3rd reason
from thesis
2-4 sentences: Provide examples that support the
third reason
2-4 sentences: Follow examples with explanations of
how they support this reason
Last sentence: connect back to the thesis and provide
 closure to paragraph

Fourth Body Paragraph You’ll only write a fourth paragraph if you have four
reasons in your thesis.

Conclusion Thesis Statement – restate the thesis as the first

sentence of the conclusion
*do not add new ideas here
Summarize your 1st body paragraph (1-2 sent)

Summarize your 2nd body paragraph (1-2 sent)

Summarize your 3rd body paragraph (1-2 sent)

Closing sentence to wrap it all up

Add your source into a body paragraph where it serves as an additional example supporting your
reason.

Appendix B in your Course Materials is an excellent resource for APA formatting.