Transcript writing a support paragraph

writing a support
paragraph
one fifth of a
spectacular essay
topic sentence
topic sentence
states paragraph topic
and thesis
topic sentence
states paragraph topic
and thesis
topic sentence
states paragraph topic
and thesis
clearly states point of
essay or speech
topic sentence
states paragraph topic
and thesis
Example
Harry Potter is a
courageous hero.
clearly states point of
essay or speech
first supporting sentence
Provides concrete details.
The what from history or
literature.
May be a direct or indirect
quotation
first supporting sentence
Provides concrete details.
The what from history or
literature.
May be a direct or indirect
quotation
first supporting sentence
Provides concrete details.
The what from history or
literature.
May be a direct or indirect
quotation
direct quotation: the
exact words used in a
sentence or sentences
first supporting sentence
Provides concrete details.
The what from history or
literature.
May be a direct or indirect
quotation
direct quotation: the exact words
used in a sentence or sentences
“Inside, just visible, was a baby
boy, fast asleep. Under a tuft of
jet-black hair over his forehead
they [Professors Dumbledore and
McGonagall] could see a
curiously shaped cut, like a bolt of
lightening” (Rowling, Harry
Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
15).
first supporting sentence
Provides concrete details.
The what from history or
literature.
May be a direct or indirect
quotation
indirect quotation: a
paraphrase of the words
used in a sentence or
sentences
first supporting sentence
Provides concrete details.
The what from history or
literature.
May be a direct or indirect
quotation
indirect quotation: a
paraphrase of the words
used in a sentence or
sentences
Professors Dumbledore and
McGonagall look at the
sleeping Harry Potter and
notice the lightning bolt scar
on his forehead (Rowling,
Harry Potter and the
Sorcerer’s Stone 15).
#1 sentence
this sentence provides the
reader with clarification
and commentary
this sentence may also
explain the supporting
sentence
#2 sentence
this sentence provides the
reader with commentary
and analysis
this sentence shows the
reader how the concrete
details provided in the
supporting sentence
supports or proves the
thesis
Concluding Sentence
summarizes ideas in the
paragraph
restates thesis
clearly states point of
essay or speech
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero.
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero.
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone
when “He took a great running jump and
managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s
neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to
save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor,
from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174).
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone
when “He took a great running jump and
managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s
neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to
save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor,
from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174).
First Support—Concrete Details
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero.
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone
when “He took a great running jump and
managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s
neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to
save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor,
from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174).
First Support—Concrete Details
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when
“He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his
arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176)
in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor,
from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First
Support—Concrete Details
Transition into direct quotation
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero.
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone
when “He took a great running jump and
managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s
neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to
save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor,
from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174).
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are
unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione
to move and the troll is moving toward Ron.
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when
“He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his
arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176)
in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor,
from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174).
First Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to
persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the
troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary,
Explanation of Support.
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero.
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when
“He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his
arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176)
in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor,
from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174).
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to
persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the
troll is moving toward Ron.
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running
jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the
troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks
the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived
the troll's attack.
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a
great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the
troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save
Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot
"granite gray" troll (174).
First Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade
the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving
toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump"
forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and
enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll
unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack.
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero.
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a
great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the
troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save
Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot
"granite gray" troll (174).
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade
the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving
toward Ron.
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump"
forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and
enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll
unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack.
B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of
Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of
Gryffindor] in both his hands . . . and drove it to the hilt into the
roof of the serpent's mouth" (320).
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a
great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the
troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save
Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot
"granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade
the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving
toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump"
forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and
enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll
unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack.
Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details
supports or proves the thesis
B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of
Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of
Gryffindor] in both his hands . . . and drove it to the hilt into the
roof of the serpent's mouth" (320). Second Support—Concrete
Details
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero.
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great
running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from
behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor,
from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174).
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror
stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron.
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his
wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a
spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived
the troll's attack.
B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when
fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands . . .
and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320).
1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister,
from a young Tom Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that
lives in The Chamber of Secrets.
2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark
of a true Gryffindor, make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric
Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like the
courageous hero he is.
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump
and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in
order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite
gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken
Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary,
Explanation of Support
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up
the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks
the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. Commentary,
Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis
B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the
basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands . . . and drove it to the hilt
into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320). Second Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a
young Tom Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The
Chamber of Secrets. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support
2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true
Gryffindor, make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the
Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is.
Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the
thesis
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero.
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump
and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in
order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite
gray" troll (174).
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken
Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron.
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up
the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks
the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack.
B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the
basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands . . . and drove it to the hilt
into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320).
1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a
young Tom Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The
Chamber of Secrets.
2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true
Gryffindor, make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the
Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is.
C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts
Professor Dumbledore's plan of "'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing]
Sirius!'" into action (396).
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and
managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save
Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First
Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to
move and the troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's
nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious,
the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how
the concrete details supports or proves the thesis
B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he
"raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands . . . and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the
serpent's mouth" (320). Second Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom
Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets.
Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support
2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor,
make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the
basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader
how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis
C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts Professor
Dumbledore's plan of "'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing] Sirius!'" into action
(396). Third Support—Concrete Details
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero.
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and
managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save
Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174).
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to
move and the troll is moving toward Ron.
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's
nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious,
the trio would never have survived the troll's attack.
B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he
"raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands . . . and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the
serpent's mouth" (320).
1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom
Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets.
2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor,
make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the
basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is.
C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts Professor
Dumbledore's plan of "'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing] Sirius!'" into action
(396).
1. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore know Sirius Black has been wrongly
accused of murdering "thirteen people with a single curse" (38); however, Cornelius Fudge,
Minister of Magic, believes Black guilty and plans on executing Black.
2. Harry's courage is unmistakable when he travels back in time several hours with Hermione,
avoids making mistakes that would endanger his and Hermione's future selves, flies the hippogriff
Buckbeak up to the seventh floor of Hogwarts castle, liberates Sirius Black from the office he is
being held, and watches Buckbeak and Black fly off to safety.
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his
arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor,
from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the
troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting
the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have
survived the troll's attack. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the
thesis
B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the
sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands . . . and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320).
Second Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom Riddle and the
basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets. Clarification, Commentary,
Explanation of Support
2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor, make it
possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like
the courageous hero he is. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves
the thesis
C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts Professor Dumbledore's plan of
"'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing] Sirius!'" into action (396). Third Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore know Sirius Black has been wrongly accused of
murdering "thirteen people with a single curse" (38); however, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, believes
Black guilty and plans on executing Black. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support
2. Harry's courage is unmistakable when he travels back in time several hours with Hermione, avoids making
mistakes that would endanger his and Hermione's future selves, flies the hippogriff Buckbeak up to the seventh
floor of Hogwarts castle, liberates Sirius Black from the office he is being held, and watches Buckbeak and Black
fly off to safety. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero.
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and
managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save
Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174).
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to
move and the troll is moving toward Ron.
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's
nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious,
the trio would never have survived the troll's attack.
B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he
"raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands . . . and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the
serpent's mouth" (320).
1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom
Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets.
2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor,
make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the
basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is.
C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts Professor
Dumbledore's plan of "'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing] Sirius!'" into action
(396).
1. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore know Sirius Black has been wrongly
accused of murdering "thirteen people with a single curse" (38); however, Cornelius Fudge,
Minister of Magic, believes Black guilty and plans on executing Black.
2. Harry's courage is unmistakable when he travels back in time several hours with Hermione,
avoids making mistakes that would endanger his and Hermione's future selves, flies the hippogriff
Buckbeak up to the seventh floor of Hogwarts castle, liberates Sirius Black from the office he is
being held, and watches Buckbeak and Black fly off to safety.
D. Harry Potter's concern for others, bravery, and courage allow him to save Hermione Granger
from the troll, rescue Ginny Weasley from Tom Riddle and the basilisk, and rescue Sirius Black
example
I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence
A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his
arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor,
from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the
troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support
2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting
the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have
survived the troll's attack. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the
thesis
B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the
sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands . . . and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320).
Second Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom Riddle and the
basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets. Clarification, Commentary,
Explanation of Support
2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor, make it
possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like
the courageous hero he is. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves
the thesis
C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts Professor Dumbledore's plan of
"'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing] Sirius!'" into action (396). Third Support—Concrete Details
1. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore know Sirius Black has been wrongly accused of
murdering "thirteen people with a single curse" (38); however, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, believes
Black guilty and plans on executing Black. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support
2. Harry's courage is unmistakable when he travels back in time several hours with Hermione, avoids making
mistakes that would endanger his and Hermione's future selves, flies the hippogriff Buckbeak up to the seventh
floor of Hogwarts castle, liberates Sirius Black from the office he is being held, and watches Buckbeak and Black
fly off to safety. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis
D. Harry Potter's concern for others, bravery, and courage allow him to save Hermione Granger from the troll,
rescue Ginny Weasley from Tom Riddle and the basilisk, and rescue Sirius Black from the Dementors, making
Potter the hero of J. K. Rowling's series. Concluding Sentence