ESSAY OUTLINE TEMPLATE

JOSIANA-MONIKA PREVILON

Note: The thesis statement and the topic sentences should be complete sentences. All
support (in introduction, body, conclusion) SHOULD NOT be in complete sentences.

Introduction

Hook: “When the large man dumped me in the water, he held me under ” (par 51)= reminder of
injustices to indigenous women

Background information: (bibliography) The narrator Darlene Naponse is… Throughout history,
have suffered, systematically, mentally and physically. demonstrated strength and Naponse
showcases it throughout her writings.

Thesis statement: In her short story (title) , Naponse uses literary devices, such as metaphors,
to highlight the importance of discussing issues regarding Indigenous women in Canada.

Body paragraph 1

First,

Topic sentence: The element of water is mentioned throughout the story as a way to portray the
strength that Indigenous women face around the world, specifically in Canada.

Supporting point 1: The element of water serves as a metaphor for the spiritual connection of
indigenous women.

Supporting detail: “I understood that under the water, aliens were speaking to me (Par 43 ). “the
water was speaking to (her)”. (Par 43 )

Supporting point 2: There is a powerful meaning behind the title, “She Is Water”.

Supporting detail: The author uses violence to showcase water: “When the large man dumped
me in the water, he held me under (par 51).

“the pickerel came and sang an ancient song (and) (as) (t)he tiny molecules of bacteria perfectly
arranged themselves on (her) body (par 51).”

Body paragraph 2

Second,
Topic sentence: Naponse puts an immense emphasis on how unfairly indigenous peoples are
treated.

Supporting point 1: Their river that they loved and cherished deeply was polluted.

Supporting detail : “Thirty-five years later, an implausible number of puked-out liters of toxic
waste in Lake Dark, the company closed its doors, yet it never cleaned up a drop of their hate.”
(Par 1) hate towards indigenous peoples, seems to be just as bad.

Supporting point 2: Bodies keep on being found but no answers given.

Supporting detail : “Her parents closed their eyes and were never seen again ” (Par 8).

Body paragraph 3

Third,

Topic sentence: There is strength and guidance in nature, even through dark times.

Supporting point 1: The main character gets assistance from nature and the totem animals.

Supporting detail: “I asked the fish, the ants, the eagle, the crows, and Davis to help me
breathe” (par 56). = deep spiritual connection + support

Supporting point 2: She finds peace and companionship in nature

Supporting detail : “They floated with me” (par 56) = deep bond with the natural world

Conclusion

In conclusion,

Restatement of the thesis statement (in different words): In the short story “She Is Water”,
Naponse uses literary devices to show how important and urgent it is to address indigenous
struggles.

Briefly summarize the arguments in the body paragraphs:

Water = spiritual connection

Unfairness = pollution + death

Nature = strength + guidance

Concluding sentence : Let’s protect each other and make peace together.