1. ESSAY ORGANIZER Submit by Email Print Form
SAVE TO YOUR COMPUTER BEFORE TYPING-COMPLETE USING ADOBE READER-SAVE OFTEN
Your Name John Papotnik
Your Topic Tikal-The Ancient Mayan City
Type of Essay
Persuasive / Argumentative Compare / Contrast Cause / Effect Literary Analysis
Informational Interview Descriptive Evaluation Research Other
Division and Classification Narrative Definition Personal
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Thesis Statement
Need help?
I believe that... anyone who can visit Tikal should seize that chance, because it is really a beautiful place and is truly enjoyable.
* READ - Quick Note Is your thesis narrowly focused?
You should test whether or not it is a thesis
statement by imagining the words, "I believe that" Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
before the thesis statement.
Those three words are not actually part of the
thesis statement.
Your Subtopics
Topic Topic Topic
The History of Tikal What Is Tikal Size of Tikal
1 2 3
Most Important Topic / Strongest 2nd Most Important Topic 3rd Most Important Topic / Weakest
Are your topics completely different?
Are your topics interesting?

2. Topic 1 The History of Tikal
What is one good sentence
to introduce this topic to Wouldn't it be interesting to learn about an ancient abandoned city?
your reader?
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Support #1
Tikal was founded in 600 B.C. This glorious city with several amazing temples where
1-5 sentences
priests once resided, was founded and built by the Mayans.
Need a transition word?
Source www.belizex.com/tikal
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Support #2
The Mayans built huge water canals that are able to hold several millions of gallons of
1-5 sentences
water in order to supply the entire civilization of the Mayans in the city of Tikal.
Need a transition word?
Source www.tikalpark.com/generalinfo
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Support #3
The Mayans then abandoned this beautiful place for no obvious reason. No one knows
1-5 sentences
where they went, but why would they leave this wonderful place?
Need a transition word?
Source www.belizex.com/tikal
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
What is one good sentence to
transition into the next paragraph?
Need a transition word?
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
QUICK PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST
Is the information arranged from less important to most important?
Does every sentence help support your topic?
Does this information get you a step closer to proving your thesis?
Do you provide sentences of different lengths and complexities in this paragraph?

3. Topic 2
What is one good sentence
to introduce this topic to
your reader?
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Support #1
1-5 sentences
Need a transition word?
Source
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Support #2
1-5 sentences
Need a transition word?
Source
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Support #3
1-5 sentences
Need a transition word?
Source
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
What is one good sentence to
transition into the next paragraph?
Need a transition word?
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
QUICK PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST
Is the information arranged from less important to most important?
Does every sentence help support your topic?
Does this information get you a step closer to proving your thesis?
Do you provide sentences of different lengths and complexities in this paragraph?

4. Topic 3
What is one good sentence
to introduce this topic to
your reader?
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Support #1
1-5 sentences
Need a transition word?
Source
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Support #2
1-5 sentences
Need a transition word?
Source
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Support #3
1-5 sentences
Need a transition word?
Source
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
QUICK PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST
Is the information arranged from less important to most important?
Does every sentence help support your topic?
Does this information get you a step closer to proving your thesis?
Do you provide sentences of different lengths and complexities in this paragraph?

5. Introduction Paragraph
Need help?
Ask yourself
1) How can I get my reader's attention?
2) Imagine your reader knows nothing about your topic. What background information could I give my reader about
my topic?
3) Why should the reader care to know this information?
4) What is it you are trying to prove?
Attention Getter
1 Sentence
Need help?
What was your attention getter? A Question A Quick Story An Interesting Fact A Quote
A Shocking Statistic An Unusual Statement Other
Background Information
2-5 Sentences
- Introduce your topic, but not
your thesis
- Provide insider details that
would help your reader better
understand your topic, without
providing information you are
discussing in your support.
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Why should your reader care?
Complete this sentence..
It is important that you read this
essay because...
*Read - Quick Note
"It is important that you read this essay because"
is a way to help you word this sentence and those
9 words should not be copied and pasted into
your essay.
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Thesis Statement
(paste the one you already
wrote on page 1)
QUICK PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST
Did you avoid referring to yourself or your reader directly?
Would you want to read your paper after reading your introduction?

6. Conclusion Paragraph
Need help?
A conclusion should...
1) Include a brief summary of the paper's main points.
2) Suggest results or consequences
3) Leave a lasting impression
Restate your thesis in
a fresh, new way
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Summarize / Reflect / Give
Final thoughts on Topic 1
1-3 Sentences
Need a transition word?
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Summarize / Reflect / Give
Final thoughts on Topic 2
1-3 Sentences
Need a transition word?
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Summarize / Reflect / Give
Final thoughts on Topic 3
1-3 Sentences
Need a transition word?
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
Final Thought
1 Sentence
-Contains vivid language
-Compound or Complex sentence
-Leave a lasting impression
-Sums up your essay in one
incredible sentence
Need a transition word?
Is your language at a high-level? What does high-level language mean?
QUICK PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST
Did you avoid referring to yourself or your reader directly?
Did you feel your conclusion leaves the reader satisfied and impressed?

7. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Copy and Paste your citations you created using Easybib
You will be able to copy and paste this onto your Bibliography page.
Citations
in
Alphabetical
Order
Paragraph Organization- Copy and Paste your sentences in the correct order
Paragraph 1- Introduction Paragraph 3 - Body Paragraph 2 Paragraph 5 - Conclusion
- Attention Getter - Topic Introduction - Thesis Restatement
- Background Information - Support 1 - Summarize/Reflect/Final - Topic 1
- Why should we care sentence - Support 2 - Summarize/Reflect/Final - Topic 2
- Thesis Statement - Support 3 - Summarize/Reflect/Final - Topic 3
- Transition - Strong Final Thought
Paragraph 2 - Body Paragraph 1
Paragraph 4 - Body Paragraph 3 Final page - Bibliography
- Topic Introduction - On a new page
- Support 1 - Topic Introduction - Titled - Bibliography
- Support 2 - Support 1 - Use citations created from Easybib
- Support 3 - Support 2 - MLA Format
- Transition - Support 3 - Alphabetized
Before you submit checklist
Is your paper in Time New Roman font? Do you proofread at least 3 times?
Do you use 12 pt font and double space? Has someone other than you read this paper?
Do I spell everything correctly? Did I put everything in my own words to avoid plagiarism?
Did I check all punctuation and capitalization? Have I done my best?
Did I rid my essay of unnecessary qualifiers like "Really" "Just" "Sort of" "Like" and "So"
Do you get rid of BABY WORDS and use a thesaurus to enhance your language?
mrdaley@mrdaley.com