Outline, Intro, Body Paragraphs, and Works Cited Page
The Correct Format for your Essay
Your Outline will look something like this:
1. Intro Paragraph
 Explanation of plot or background of novel / author, if necessary
 Transition statement to thesis statement
 Thesis statement
2. Body Paragraph #1
 1st sentence = Topic Sentence
 Two Quotes
 Commentary / Explanation of Quotes
3. Body Paragraph #2
(repeat format)
4. Body Paragraph #3
(repeat format)
5. Conclusion – what should the reader have learned from your essay?
Example Outline
I.
Introduction
A. Explanation of plot or background of novel / author, if necessary
B. Transition statement to thesis statement
C. Thesis statement: In F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby, the dangers of an exponentially
advancing technology are depicted in through the imagery and symbolism of the vehicles and in
the setting of the Valley of Ashes.
II.
Body Paragraph #1 = Vehicles - Symbolism in Colors
A. Yellow – Flashy, but impractical
B. Blue – More conservative than yellow, but showy
III. Body Paragraph #2 = Vehicles – Automobiles as symbols of chaos
A. Gatsby’s “deathmobile”
B. Car Accident at Gatsby’s party
C. Jordan as a careless driver
IV.
Body Paragraph #3 = Valley of Ashes
V.
Conclusion
Introductory Paragraph
 Give a brief (2-3 sentences) explanation of the plot.
 If applicable, give background on the novel, author, or historical context.
•
Is there any information from the author’s life that pertains to the novel? What was the author’s
purpose in writing the novel? What was America like when the novel was written?
 Provide a transition sentence that connects the plot/background with the thesis.
 State the thesis as the last sentence of the introduction. Needs to have the author, work, and the opinion you
will prove.
Having trouble getting started? Ease into your topic. Remember:
 4-5 sentences total; Last sentence is Thesis Statement.
 Background on the novel, author, or time period, or interesting facts about the 1920s.
 Explain your theme or position and why it’s applicable or relates to the book.
 What is your opinion of the book? Why do you have this opinion? Explain!
Body Paragraphs
A well-written, sufficient analysis body paragraph must include the following:
 Topic Sentence which relates directly to your thesis sentence.
 First sentence CANNOT be a quote.
 At least 2 (probably 3) pieces of evidence/examples/quotes from the text or outside sources, also known as
Concrete Details.
 When quotes are used, they must be incorporated and documented correctly.
 Each piece of evidence must be explained with at least 2 sentences of Commentary.
 A concluding and/or transitional sentence.
 Last sentence CANNOT be a quote.
Body Paragraph Outline
This is the bare minimum for a body paragraph. You don’t have to follow this format, but this format is easy and you
can’t go wrong with it.
1. Topic Sentence – what is the main idea of this paragraph?
2. Concrete Detail #1 (quote)
3. Commentary Sentence #1 – what is this quote saying? Why is this quote important?
4. Commentary Sentence #2 – How does this quote prove your point? How does it relate to your topic
sentence? What do we learn from this evidence? What do we learn about the characters, theme, etc?
5. Concrete Detail #2 (quote)
6. Commentary Sentence #1 – follow the same pattern as above
7. Commentary Sentence #2
8. Concluding/Transitional Sentence – What did we learn in this paragraph? How did this entire paragraph
relate to and support your thesis?
FORMAT for Works Cited Page
1. All entries are in Alphabetical Order by Author's last name
2. First line is against the margin; all other lines are indented. (A works cited entry is the exact opposite of a
paragraph.)
3. NOT double spaced, but skip a line between entries
4. Entries are NOT numbered
Works Cited Page
Works Cited format for the Book
Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. New York: Scribner, 1925.
Works Cited format for the ON-LINE PERIODICAL DATABASE (3 Lit. Crit. Articles)
Author's last name, first name. "Title of article." Original source of article. Day Month Year: Page(s). Product
name, Day Month Year (date accessed).
Examples for ON-LINE PERIODICAL DATABASE (3 Lit. Crit. Articles)
Dickstein, Morris. “Fitzgerald: The Authority of Failure.” Critical Insights: F. Scott Fitzgerald. Oct. 2010: 288- 305.
Ebsco, 2 Apr. 2015.
Sklenar, R. “Anti-Petronian Elements in The Great Gatsby.” F. Scott Fitzgerald Review. Sep. 2008: 121-128, vol. 6.
Literary Reference Center, 2 Apr. 2015.
HOW TO CORRECT the Source Citation for your ON-LINE PERIODICAL DATABASE (3 Lit. Crit. Articles)
Source Citation
Will, Barbara. "The Great Gatsby and the obscene word." College Literature 32.4 (2005): 125+. Literature
Resource Center. Web. 31 Mar. 2015.
How to Fix it
Will, Barbara. "The Great Gatsby and the Obscene Word." College Literature. V. 32. Is. 4. 2005: Literature
Resource Center. Web. 31 Mar. 2015.
Source Citation
Giltrow, Janet, and David Stouck. "Style as Politics in The Great Gatsby." Studies in the Novel 29.4 (Winter 1997):
476-490. Rpt. inTwentieth-Century Literary Criticism. Ed. Linda Pavlovski. Vol. 157. Detroit: Gale, 2005. Literature
Resource Center. Web. 31 Mar. 2015.
How to Fix it
Giltrow, Janet, and David Stouck. "Style as Politics in The Great Gatsby." Studies in the Novel. Vol. 29. Is. 4.
Winter 1997: 476-490. Rpt. In Twentieth-Century Literary Criticism. Ed. Linda Pavlovski. Vol. 157.
Detroit: Gale, 2005. Literature Resource Center. Web. 31 Mar. 2015.