Jane Schaffer Writing Strategy

How to write an effective paragraph

How to write an effective paragraph • Materials: 1 blue pen, 1 red pen, 1 green pen • • • Blue is for topic sentences ( TS ) and concluding sentences ( CS ) Red is for concrete details ( CD ) Green is for commentary ( CM )

Step 1: Topic Sentence

• A topic sentence (TS) is the top bun of a hamburger • TS – First sentence in the paragraph – Shows the main idea – Usually mildly controversial, something you must prove

Example Topic Sentence ( TS )

1. In the fairy tale Cinderella, the main character feels mistreated.

Step 2: Concrete Details

• • • Concrete details ( CD ) are the meat of the hamburger CD s come from the text – Facts – Quotes – Examples CD s cannot be argued with. They are evidence that support your point.

Example Concrete Detail ( CD )

2. For example, Cinderella must do all the cooking and cleaning for her family.

Step 3: Commentary (

CM

)

• • Commentary ( CM ) are the extras on the hamburger – cheese, lettuce, onion, etc. – they make it delicious CM s are your – Analysis – Interpretation – Insight into the text

Example Commentary Sentences ( 2 CM ) 3. These keep her isolated and friendless. 4. The stepmother is thus able to give Cinderella more work, which prevents her from going to the ball.

Step 4: Concluding Sentence ( CS )

• • • A concluding sentence ( CS ) is the bottom bun of the hamburger CS – Wraps up the paragraph – Rephrases the main idea It should not be identical to the TS

Example Concluding Sentence ( CS )

5. Therefore Cinderella feels abused by the very people who are supposed to love her.

So far… (you don’t have to write this) In the fairy tale “Cinderella,” the main character feels mistreated.

Cinderella must do all of the cooking and cleaning for her family. For example, These chores keep her isolated and friendless. The stepmother is thus able to give Cinderella even more work, which prevents her from going to the ball. Cinderella feels abused by the very people who are supposed to love her.

Therefore,

TS , CD ,

CM

, CS – Now what?

• • • •

CHUNKING

A combination of CD s and CM s is called a “chunk” For English papers and literary analysis (such as this) you will mostly use a combination (or ratio) of 1:2 For every 1 CD you will have 2 CM s

1 Chunk = 1 CD + 2

CM For example, Cinderella must do all of the cooking and cleaning for her family. These chores keep her isolated and friendless. The stepmother is thus able to give Cinderella even more work, which prevents her from going to the ball.

• Ratio = 1:2

Step 5: Final Paragraph

• • Next add your TS and CS The final paragraph looks like this… In the fairy tale “Cinderella,” the main character feels mistreated.

must do all of the cooking and cleaning for her family. friendless. The stepmother is thus able to give Cinderella even more work, which prevents her from going to the ball. abused by the very people who are supposed to love her.

For example, Cinderella These chores keep her isolated and Therefore, Cinderella feels

Upside Down Pyramids

• Keep in mind while you are writing these paragraphs that you are going to start with general ideas and then getting more specific TS CD CM CM

Thesis Statements – Quick Overview • • • You will need a thesis statement or claim, it is the backbone of your paper and states your position What is a claim?

– It is a complete sentence with a subject and a commentary – It is opinion-based and debatable – It must take a position and be supportable (with research/evidence) – It states the topic of your paper – It is specific – It is usually the last sentence in your introduction Do not include information in your paper that does not support your claim in some way

More Guidelines

• • • • • It must not be written in first person Every paragraph must be at least five sentences long, however there can be more as long as the same ratio of two CM 's to every CD is kept Each section ( TS , CD , CM , CS ) is only one sentence in length Do not use the word “you” Do not write in the past tense, only the present

Getting Started

• • • Directions: We will practice writing a short essay in order to get the hang out this. This essay will be about a story you all know and love, The Three Little Pigs

Choosing a Topic Writing your Thesis 5 Paragraph Outline – Short

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Jane Schaffer Essay Format

 guide