Planning your Informative Essay
Your Name:
Prompt Title:
Thesis/Controlling idea
Example: “Coal is a highly abundant and cheap energy resource ”
Step 1 : In a sentence write your Controlling Idea/Thesis here. (What are you going to explain or tell about?)
Main Ideas (support for your thesis/controlling idea)
Step 2: Main Ideas – State your main ideas. Example: cost of coal, where it is found, how it affects the environment.
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Step 3 : List supporting evidence for each one of your main ideas Evidence may include facts, examples, statistics, quotes or stories. Be sure to cite your sources.
#1 Main Idea
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Supporting evidence and source(s)
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4.
#2 Main Idea
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Supporting evidence and source (s)
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2.
3.
4.
#3 Main Idea
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Supporting evidence and source (s)
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4.
Conclusion
Restate your thesis/controlling idea. Be sure to explain why it is so important. Suggest ways your reader can learn more.