Sometimes, essays seem like they will be impossible to write. It helps to fi
Formal Essay
This is a more advanced form for outlining essays. When you have a clear outline of your essay, you make sure that each of your points serve a purpose. It is okay for this to be a working document as you piece together your essay. It helps to complete this outline before starting your essay and then reference it as you actually write the essay.
Lecture Review
These graphic organizers will be useful for lecture or notes review. They are a great study aid or for use in preparation for a paper or essay. The use of these will help you to distill the important information from your lecture or notes.
Advanced Topic Note Taking
Topic Note-Taking Forms
These forms make taking notes on social studies, science, videos, lectures, or any textbook much easier. Some of the forms have space for drawing pictures or ‘doodling’ notes. Doodles help you visualize and remember what you have heard or read. Be sure to mark important information with a star or asterisk. Using colored pencils or markers also helps retain information.
If you are taking notes from a whole chapter of a textbook, use multiple copies of the forms and staple them together. Continue over multiple forms or sections if you run out of space.
Narrative/Sequential Paragraph
In the United States, we write paragraphs in a basic format. First, we tell you, the reader, what we are going to tell you (main idea or thesis). Then, we provide details that support the main idea. Finally, we restate what we told you (concluding or ‘wrap up’ statement).
Tip
Good writers use a variety of types of sentences in their paragraphs.
Narrative/Sequence Paragraph
This type of paragraph is a group of sentences that specify an order of events, using words like first, next, then, after that, and finally.
Descriptive Paragraph
In the United States, we write paragraphs in a basic format. First, we tell you, the reader, what we are going to tell you (main idea or thesis). Then, we provide details that support the main idea. Finally, we restate what we told you (concluding or ‘wrap up’ statement).
Tip
Good writers use a variety of types of sentences in their paragraphs.
Descriptive Paragraph
This type of paragraph is a group of sentences that work together to describe something specifically. Our descriptive paragraph form gives you the formula to do this easily.
Basic American Paragraph
In the United States, we write paragraphs in a basic format. First we tell you, the reader, what we are going to tell you (main idea or thesis). Then, we provide details that support the main idea. Finally, we restate what we told you (concluding or ‘wrap up’ statement).
TIP
Good writers use a variety of types of sentences in their paragraphs.
Basic American Paragraph
This type of paragraph is a group of sentences that work together to support an idea. It includes a topic sentence, detail sentences and a concluding sentence.
Persuasive/ Argumentative Essay
Persuasive / Argumentative
Here are two graphic organizers to help outline your basic persuasive or argumentative essay. Start with a position or stance on a topic, write down specific reasoning or arguments, and provide evidence that validates your reasons. To strengthen your persuasive paragraph or essay, think of possible counter-arguments that you can invalidate with evidence.