1. The Multi-Paragraph Essay
Arp I.S.D. English Language Arts Dept.
Prepared by Melissa Freeman
Prepared by Melissa Freeman

2. Terminology
Have your students take notes on the following terminology. Explain that it may not make a lot of sense right now, but it will become clear as we begin to practice.
Prepared by Melissa Freeman

3. Essay
A piece of writing that gives your thoughts (commentary) about a subject.
All essays you will write in this unit will have at least four paragraphs: an introductory paragraph, two body paragraphs, and a concluding paragraph.

4. Introduction Also called the introductory paragraph.
The first paragraph in an essay.
It includes the thesis, most often at the end of the paragraph.

5. Body Paragraph A middle paragraph in an essay.
It develops a point you want to make that supports your thesis.

6. Conclusion Also called the concluding paragraph.
The last paragraph in your essay.
It may sum up your ideas,
…reflect on what you said in your essay,
…give more commentary about your subject,
…or give a personal statement about the subject.

7. Conclusion (cont.)
Your conclusion is ALL commentary and does NOT include concrete detail.
It does NOT repeat key words from your paper and especially NOT from your thesis and introductory paragraphs.
It gives a finished feeling to your whole essay.

8. Thesis A sentence with a subject and opinion. (opinion = commentary)
This comes somewhere in you introductory paragraph and most often at the end.

9. Pre-Writing
The process of getting your concrete details down on paper before you organize your essay into paragraphs.
You can use any or all of the following: bubble clusters, spider diagrams, outlines, line clustering, or columns.
Insert your own lesson or slides explaining various types of visual organizers.
Prepared by Melissa Freeman

10. Concrete Details ~ CD
Specific details that form the backbone, skeleton, framework, or core of your body paragraphs.
Synonyms for concrete detail include facts, specifics, examples, descriptions, illustrations, support, proof, supporting evidence, quotations, paraphrasing, or plot references.
Insert your own lesson or slides that explain these or other synonyms that you may use for CD.
Prepared by Melissa Freeman

11. Commentary ~ CM
Your opinion or comment about something; NOT concrete detail.
Synonyms for commentary include opinion, insight, analysis, interpretation, inference, personal response, feelings, evaluation, explication, and reflection.
Insert your own lesson or slides that explain these or other synonyms that you may use for CM.
Prepared by Melissa Freeman

12. Topic Sentence ~ TS The first sentence in the body paragraph.
This must have a subject and opinion (commentary) for the paragraph.
It does the same thing for a body paragraph that the thesis does for the whole essay.

13. Concluding Sentence ~ CS
The last sentence in the body paragraph.
It is ALL commentary,
…does not repeat key words,
…and gives a finished feeling to the paragraph.

14. Shaping the Essay The step that is done after pre-writing…
…and before the first draft of an essay.
It is an outline of your thesis,
…topic sentences,
…concrete details,
…and commentary ideas.

15. First Draft The first version of your essay.
Also called the rough draft ~ RD.

16. Final Draft The final version of your essay.
The last step before “publishing.”

17. Peer Response
Written responses and reactions to a partner’s paper.

18. Chunk One sentence of concrete detail (CD)…
…and two sentences of commentary (CM).
It is the smallest unified group of thoughts that you can write.

19. Weaving
Blending concrete details (CD) and commentary (CM) in a body paragraph.
You can do this AFTER you master the format.

20. Ratio
The ratio of one part concrete detail (CD) to two parts commentary (CM).
At least two points of commentary for every point of concrete detail in a body paragraph.
CD:CM
1 : 2+

21. Ratio
If a body paragraph has a 1:1 ratio, teachers say that the student got off to a good start but did not elaborate enough on the commentary.
If a literature paper has a 1:0 ratio, we call that a book report…
…or an “and then” paper.
“And then I went to the mall, and then I bought a pair of jeans. Then I went out with my friends.”

22. Ratio
“And then” papers are the dullest kinds of narratives to read.
As soon as students use a 1:2+ ratio, teachers are happier with the results.
And Then

23. Word Counts The minimum length per paragraph to earn a “C.”
Insert your criteria for minimum number of words, sentences or paragraphs.
Prepared by Melissa Freeman

24. CD vs. CM The same as FACT vs. OPINION
Insert your lesson about the difference between fact and opinion.
Prepared by Melissa Freeman

25. Commentary
Writing commentary means giving your opinion, interpretation, insight, analysis, explication, personal reaction, feelings, evaluation, or reflection about a topic.
Commentary is the higher level of thinking that makes an essay interesting to read.
Insert your lesson about these terms or your own terms that are synonymous with commentary.
Prepared by Melissa Freeman

26. Restrictions of Literature Commentary
Students may not use I, me, my, we, us would, should, could, may or might in their essays.
These words encourage them to leave the story and become “preachy.”
Example: “I hope I have a friend like George some day.”
Or, “They should have just gone on their separate ways.”
Such commentary does not strengthen student writing.

27. This shows that… Need help producing commentary?
Start your commentary with:
“This shows that _________________.”
The result is always commentary.
You can always change your phrasing during revision!

28. This shows that…
“In Of Mice and Men, George Milton looks out for Lennie’s welfare. For example, he tells Lennie not to say anything to Curley in the ranch house. This shows that he understands how easily Lennie gets into trouble without realizing it. This shows that he wants to keep Lennie out of harm’s way by shielding him from contact with strangers.”

29. Writing a Thesis
A thesis is a general sentence with a subject and an opinion (commentary).
Example: Australia is the best country of all for a vacation.
In this sentence, Australia is the subject.
The rest of the sentence tells the writer’s opinion, or commentary, about it—that it’s the best country for a vacation.

30. Writing a Thesis ~ Practice
For each of the following sentences, underline the subject once and the opinion (commentary) twice.
Fishing is fun to do when I’m with my dad.
English is my favorite class.
It’s exciting going to a new school.
Tacos are my favorite food.
I like radio station Q106 the most.

31. Writing a Thesis ~ Practice
Fishing is fun to do when I’m with my dad.
English is my favorite class.
It’s exciting going to a new school.
Tacos are my favorite food.
I like radio station Q106 the most.

32. Writing a Thesis ~ Practice
Write a thesis sentence of your own.
First you need to think of some subjects you know something about.
--getting braces
--bicycling
--homework
I recommend coming up with subjects that go with what you are currently reading.
Prepared by Melissa Freeman

33. Writing a Thesis ~ Practice
The next step is to write a thesis for your subject.
Getting braces was one of the best things that could have happened to me.
You can have them turn this process in for a grade.
Prepared by Melissa Freeman