INTRODUCTION PARAGRAPH:
State a brief history/explanation of the Constitution.
Thesis - state the importance of the Constitution and briefly explain three things that the Constitution did to guard against tyranny.
FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH:
The first point you talked about in your thesis should be what this paragraph is about. Start with a topic sentence briefly introducing your reason again and then find some evidence either from an outside source or the Constitution itself. Either "pick a quote directly from your chosen sources" (and cite)*. Or you can use "quote" bits and "interweave" them in your sentences (and cite)**. Or you can paraphrase something you've read, just make sure you give the author credit. After you find your evidence, explain why it's relevant to the topic you're writing about. The analysis should typically be twice as long as your evidence. Now, tie everything and conclude what you've talked about in this paragraph together in one more sentence, maybe stating the purpose one more time.
SECOND BODY PARAGRAPH:
Start with a topic sentence/transition that connects your first body paragraph with this body paragraph to create a seamless flow; don't forget to briefly reintroduce your second topic. In this paragraph, the second point you talked about in your thesis should be further explained in this paragraph. Find your evidence, then explain why it's relevant to the purpose. (See FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH explanation for ideas). Don't forget to conclude and tie everything together in once sentence at the end.
THIRD BODY PARAGRAPH:
Start with a topic sentence/transition that connects your second body paragraph with this body paragraph to create a seamless flow; don't forget to briefly reintroduce your third topic. This paragraph is where the third topic talked in the thesis should be further explained. Find evidence, analyze, conclude.
CONCLUSION:
This can be a very brief paragraph. Recap everything previously talked about and restate how it's all connected to the purpose. Try not to be too repetitive.
* Citing a full quote should look like: "Quote words here" (Last name of author, page number or line number). THE PERIOD GOES OUTSIDE THE PARENTHESIS.
** Citing quote bits should look like: I'm "writing" my sentence and "interweaving" a quote in my sentence (page number or line number). THE PERIOD GOES OUTSIDE THE PARENTHESIS. Make sure it's obvious who you are quoting when using quote bits. There is no need to repeat the author's name in citation if already stated, if not, include in citation.
DON'T FORGET TO ALWAYS GIVE THE AUTHOR CREDIT!!
