beat the clock Developing a First Draft A first draft will start with an introduction paragraph, which you worked on last week. As we learned, the introduction should provide an overview of the essay’s focus, indicate how you’ll develop the ideas, and include your thesis statement. Last week, you also wrote your thesis statement, so you already have the final sentence of your introductory paragraph. With your introduction as the first paragraph, you’re ready for the body paragraphs. To develop the content, review your thesis statement, which is a summary of key points. Then you can map out one body paragraph per key point. In other words, the first body paragraph should focus on key point one, the second body paragraph on key point two, and the third body paragraph on key point three. Each body paragraph should also include supporting evidence from the article. Just keep in mind that the majority of each body paragraph should be in your own words. Quotes or paraphrases should support your ideas but not take the place of them. What should your body paragraphs not do? Don’t include separate paragraphs for audience, writing choices, purpose, and context. Integrate awareness of these into the body paragraphs, but don’t call them out directly. Instead, develop the three key points identified in the thesis statement. After your body paragraphs, you will draft a conclusion. The conclusion will tie everything together and leave your reader with a strong impression of your ideas. The conclusion is where you drive home the importance of your analysis. The outline below can help you organize your ideas for each paragraph of the essay. The Roman numerals represent paragraphs, and the capital letters represent content within the paragraphs. Introduction paragraph Draw in the reader. Provide an overview of the topic. Present the core idea or thesis statement, which lists your three key points. First body paragraph Restate the first key point (this is the topic sentence of the paragraph). Provide follow-up analysis of the