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to Step 5: Plan the EssayEssay Sentence Outline
Subject:
Favorite Pet
Focused
topic: a dog
Thesis statement: A dog would make a great pet for me because dogs are very loyal, they are easy to train, and they are good company.
First Body Paragraph - Major Point 1
Topic Sentence: One of the great things about a dog is that they are extremely loyal.
Supporting Detail 1a: Dogs are always happy to see you when you come home from school or work.
Expanded Detail: My friend Elise's dog goes crazy whenever she comes home.Expanded Detail: She runs to the door while wagging her tail, jumping up, and turning around in circles.
Supporting Detail 1b: Dogs also seem to be in a good mood, which can really cheer a person up.
Expanded Detail: Unlike some people, dogs don't get mad or yell and complain.Expanded Detail: It doesn't seem to matter to them if your room's not clean or you've gotten a bad grade on a test.
Supporting Detail 1c: Dogs just seem to love you no matter what, and they will also usually play with you when you're feeling bored.
Expanded Detail: You can play fetch and wrestle with a dog.Expanded Detail: And when you're done, a dog will come and sit beside you to make you feel loved.
Concluding Sentence: A dog will be there for you when you need him, something a guinea pig or snake can never be expected to do.
Second Body Paragraph - Major Point 2
Topic Sentence: Another wonderful characteristic of a dog is that they can be trained to do things.
Supporting Detail 2a: A dog can learn basic commands.
Expanded Detail: He can be taught to sit, stay and roll over.Expanded Detail: He can also be taught to come or heel.
Supporting Detail 2b: You can also teach a dog to do funny tricks.
Expanded Detail: My aunt Julia had a dog that could stand on a barrel and roll it across the room.Expanded Detail: I would probably just teach my dog to do simple tricks, such as shake, roll over, or play dead.
Supporting Detail 2c: Of course, one of the best things you can teach a dog is to go to the bathroom outside the house.
Expanded Detail:It takes some work and practice to housebreak a dog, but it's well worth the trouble.
Expanded Detail: Notice I took out an expanded detail here.
Concluding Sentence: Not only is it fun to train a dog to do follow certain commands, it also helps to keep them healthy and safe if a dog learns to do as it's told.
Third Body Paragraph - Major Point 3
Topic Sentence:But the very best reason for me to get a dog is because of the companionship that a dog can offer.
Supporting Detail 3a: A dog is an animal that can easily go places with me.
Expanded Detail: I can take her to the park and when I go on hikes.
Expanded Detail: And she can come with me when I go camping or spend the weekend at Grandma's house.
Expanded Detail: Having a dog along helps a person feel a little bit safer when she's alone, too.Notice that I added a third expanded detail here.
Supporting Detail 3b: Because they're so loyal, dogs tend to stay close to their owner's side.
Expanded Detail: My sister Clarisse's dog sits right next to her on the couch or the bed when she's reading or watching TV.
Expanded Detail: Clarisse talks to her dog, and that dog actually seems to listen to what she has to say.
Supporting Detail 3c:Notice that I eliminated supporting detail 3c and the concluding sentence.
Summary statement : It's clear to me that nothing can compare to a dog's dedication, intelligence, and friendship.