Introduction
First sentence: topic of the essay → fast food
[background information on the topic]
•
For this topic:
Basic definition of fast food Prevalence of fast food in urban areas today Reason that this topic should be discussedTHESIS: debatable opinion, topic of each body paragraph
Fast food is beneficial because of its convenience, cheap price, and large industry.
• X: debatable opinion → fast food is beneficial (vs. fast food is detrimental)
A: body paragraph #1 → convenience B: body paragraph #2 → cheap price C: body paragraph #3 → large industryBody
Topic sentence: topic of the body paragraph, debatable opinion
[three-step analysis]
1. Identify the example
•
Specify a piece of information
→ e.g. well-known or historical fact, expert opinion, academic research, statistics
•
Use a quote when applicable, and include proper citation
2. Explain the significance
•
Analyze the effect or implication of this information
3. Connect to the thesis
•
Analyze the way this information contributes to the debatable opinion
Repeat the above steps for every example in the body paragraph
A: Convenience
Fast food has a beneficial effect on society because it is convenient.
•
A1: Take-out
1. Unlike traditional restaurants, fast food restaurants allow customers to take out meals.
2. Busy people can eat at work or eat at home without having to cook.
3. This function benefits busy members of society.
•
A2: Takes less time than regular restaurants
•
A3: Easy to find
B: Cheap price
•
B1: Affordable for students
•
B2: No tip
•
B3: Can be exported to other countries
C: Large industry
•
C1: Creates jobs
•
C2: Improves the economy
•
C3: Can be exported to other countries
Conclusion
Restate the thesis
[broader ideas about this topic]
•
Consider the opposing view, and explain why it is problematic
→ In what ways would fast food be considered detrimental? Why is this view problematic?
•
Examine a larger significance of the topic
→ Why is fast food so prevalent today? What does the popularity of fast food indicate about modern society?