CHEESE BURGER!

(Jane Schaffer) Method of Paragraph Writing

Get Ready to Color Your World!

THE BUILDING BLOCK OF WRITING How to write an effective paragraph Materials: When we write using the Schaffer model we use blue, black, red and green pens.

Blue is for Topic Sentences (TS) Red is for Concrete Details (CD) Green is for Commentary Sentences (CM) Black is for Concluding Sentences (CS)

Schaffer Method for Social Studies

THE BUILDING BLOCK OF WRITING How to write an effective paragraph in Social Studies using the Schaffer model.

Claim / thesis = Topic Sentence (TS) Evidence = Concrete Details (CD) Explanation = Commentary Sentences (CM) Concluding Sentences (CS)

Step 1 – Claim / Thesis

is the top bun of the hamburger  The claim/thesis is the first sentence of the paragraph.

 It is an argument or point you are trying to prove, the central or main idea of your written response.

Step 1 – Claim / Thesis

is the top bun of the hamburger  Example:

Ethnic division contributes to the cause of conflict in the Middle East.

Step 2 Evidence the meat of the hamburger 

Evidence = Support for your claim/thesis

. (facts, quotes, statistics, examples, paraphrases etc. from the text or research to support your claim.



Evidence can’t be argued with

– it supports your point 

Evidence can be direct quotes or paraphrased information



Evidence includes the “stuff from the reading, article, etc.”

Step 2 Evidence the meat of the hamburger 

Example:

In Iraq there are two distinct ethnic groups the Shi’ites and the Sunni’s.

Step 3:

Commentary

Commentary Sentences (CMs) are the hamburger’s “extras” - the tomato, cheese, lettuce, pickle - they make it

delicious!

CMs = Explanation of evidence CMs = how it relates to your claim CMs = holds the argument together CMs = not your opinion – no “I” or “we”

Step 3:

Commentary

Commentary Sentences (CMs) are the hamburger’s “extras” - the tomato, cheese, lettuce, pickle - they make it

delicious!

Example:

Shi’ites and Sunnis have been divided on who should lead Muslim’s since the death of Muhammad in 632.

Step 4: A

Concluding Sentence

(CS) is the bottom bun of the hamburger A CS wraps up the paragraph. It brings the reader back to the original topic without repeating the same words or summarizing.

Step 4: A

Concluding Sentence

(CS) is the bottom bun of the hamburger Example: The differences on who has power over the Muslim population has created tension between two Muslim ethnic groups in the Middle East.

Putting it all together!

Add example paragraph from the different pieces.

Ethnic division contributes to the cause of conflict in the Middle East. In Iraq there are two distinct religious ethnic groups the Shi’ites and the Sunnis. Sunnis believe the most qualified Muslim should lead whereas, Shi’ites believe the leader should be a descendent of Muhammad. Shi’ites and Sunnis have been divided on who should lead Muslim’s since the death of Muhammad in 632.

The differences on who has power over the Muslim population has created conflict between two Muslim ethnic groups in the Middle East.

That was a one chunk paragraph!

What is a chunk?

A combination of CDs and CMs is called a chunk. A chunk is made up of 3 sentences . In the sample we created the stuff “between the buns” makes up the chunk. It includes the meat (red) and the extras (green) .

A chunk can include different

ratios

of CD to CM depending on the mode of writing The ratio is the amount of CD : CM in a body paragraph.

 The typical English class ratio is 1:2 for response to literature and 2:1 for persuasive or expository writing.

 A typical history ratio might be 2:1  A typical Math/Science ratio is 3:0 or 2:1

As Student Writing becomes more sophisticated what happens?

 Students move from a one chunk to a

two chunk paragraph

 Students begin

weaving

What is a two chunk paragraph?

A two chunk paragraph is an extension of the one chunk paragraph. The student simply adds another burger and more condiments. It looks like this…

TS CD CM

Chunk #1

CM CD CM CM CS

Chunk #2