The ACE ParagraphThe ACE Paragraph

Getting StartedGetting Started

The ACE Paragraph OutlineThe ACE Paragraph Outline

This is an outline for a single paragraph of This is an outline for a single paragraph of explanation, argument, persuasion, or analysis.explanation, argument, persuasion, or analysis.

Remember that your writing requires all the parts of a Remember that your writing requires all the parts of a good argument or explanation: a statement of your good argument or explanation: a statement of your main point, an introduction to your evidence, the main point, an introduction to your evidence, the specific evidence itself, and an explanation of how specific evidence itself, and an explanation of how the evidence supports your main point.the evidence supports your main point.

I. TOPIC SENTENCE: States both I. TOPIC SENTENCE: States both the topic of the paragraph and the the topic of the paragraph and the main point you want to make about main point you want to make about

the topic.the topic.

I. Summer vacation is always I. Summer vacation is always great, but this year was really great, but this year was really special.special.

A. Introduce the A. Introduce the first reason or first reason or example example that supports your main that supports your main

point.point.

A. This summer got off to a super start A. This summer got off to a super start when I became the proud owner of my when I became the proud owner of my first car -- a 2005 Acura Integra!first car -- a 2005 Acura Integra!

1. Provide a 1. Provide a specific example or specific example or detail detail as evidence or support.as evidence or support.

1. My grandparents promised to 1. My grandparents promised to pay for the cost of my first car pay for the cost of my first car and and insurance for a year if I insurance for a year if I had all “A’s” last semester and had all “A’s” last semester and a fulltime job this summer.a fulltime job this summer.

2. 2. Explain how Explain how the quote or the quote or example supports your main point.example supports your main point.

2.2. It was really cool to be able to It was really cool to be able to drive my friends around on drive my friends around on weekends.weekends.

B. Transition to B. Transition to another reason or another reason or exampleexample that supports your main point. that supports your main point.

B. Another highlight of my B. Another highlight of my summer was the trip my youth summer was the trip my youth group took to San Antonio.group took to San Antonio.

1. Provide 1. Provide a specific example or a specific example or detail detail as evidence or support.as evidence or support.

1. After holding fundraiser like bake 1. After holding fundraiser like bake sales and garage sales for a year, sales and garage sales for a year, we raised enough money to charter we raised enough money to charter busses for a week trip to Texas.busses for a week trip to Texas.

2. 2. Explain how Explain how the quote or the quote or example supports your main point.example supports your main point.

2. We had a great time at the Alamo, 2. We had a great time at the Alamo, Sea World, and on the Riverwalk; Sea World, and on the Riverwalk; at night, we slept at a local church at night, we slept at a local church and went to their services.and went to their services.

C. Transition to C. Transition to a third reason or a third reason or exampleexample that supports your main point. that supports your main point.

C. At the end of the summer, I C. At the end of the summer, I was really excited because my was really excited because my parents let me stay at home parents let me stay at home when they went out of town. when they went out of town.

1. Provide 1. Provide a specific example or a specific example or detail detail as evidence or support.as evidence or support.

1. In the past, my parents have 1. In the past, my parents have either hired a babysitter or sent me either hired a babysitter or sent me to my grandparents when they went to my grandparents when they went out of town.out of town.

2. 2. Explain how Explain how the quote or the quote or example supports your main point.example supports your main point.

2. This time, they let my friend Susie 2. This time, they let my friend Susie come over for the weekend—with her come over for the weekend—with her parents permission. We didn’t even parents permission. We didn’t even have any parties while they were gone.have any parties while they were gone.

D. Write a concluding sentence (or D. Write a concluding sentence (or two) that two) that explains how all three of explains how all three of the examples above support your the examples above support your

topic sentence.topic sentence.

D. After having such a great summer D. After having such a great summer earning money, getting my first car, earning money, getting my first car, having a blast on vacation, I having a blast on vacation, I know know this this is going to be a great school year. The is going to be a great school year. The best part of the summer was earning best part of the summer was earning my parents’ trust and knowing they my parents’ trust and knowing they think I’m responsible enough to stay think I’m responsible enough to stay home alone. home alone. YEAH!!!YEAH!!!