Essay Brainstorm Form

1) Read the essay question and think about your answer. You need to find three main ideas about that answer.
Example 1: “What is your favorite food? Why?”
Answer: Barbecue
Main ideas: Nutritious
Delicious
Easy to make
Example 2: “What are your favorite vacation spots? Why?”
Answer: My favorite vacation spots
Main ideas: Samaipata
Sucre
Salar de Uyuni

2) With each main idea, write a short argumentative paragraph. Each one of these paragraphs should have around 80 words.
Consider that the three supporting point sentences should be as short as possible, because the corresponding example
sentences tend to be longer. Remember to use different transition words and expressions.

3) It is a good idea to link these three body paragraphs, so that the last sentence of the first main idea paragraph links to the
second main idea; the last sentence of the second main idea paragraph links to the third main idea; and the last sentence of the
third main idea paragraph recalls the first point.

4) Write a short introduction paragraph and a short concluding paragraph to begin and to finalize the essay. Each of these
paragraphs should have two or three sentences. The introduction should go from a general background towards the specific
essay topic, and the conclusion should move away from the specific answer towards a general closure.

PROPOSED
SECTION SENTENCE
SIZE
Background 10 words
INTRO Focus 10 words
Thesis Statement 10 words

Main Idea 1 5 words

Supporting Point 1a 5 words
Example 15 words
BODY Supporting Point 1b 5 words
1 Example 15 words
Supporting Point 1c 5 words
Example 15 words
Conclusion/Transition 15 words

Main Idea 2 5 words

Supporting Point 2a 5 words
Example 15 words
BODY Supporting Point 2b 5 words
2 Example 15 words
Supporting Point 2c 5 words
Example 15 words
Conclusion/Transition 15 words

Main Idea 3 5 words

Supporting Point 3a 5 words
Example 15 words
BODY Supporting Point 3b 5 words
3 Example 15 words
Supporting Point 3c 5 words
Example 15 words
Conclusion/Transition 15 words
 Thesis Restatement 10 words
CLOSURE Action 10 words
Clincher 10 words

5) Remember that each one of these five paragraphs must have its indentation. It is suggested that you skip one line between
paragraphs and use justified alignment. A TOEFL academic essay should have around 300 words in total.