1. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph Do you enjoy cheeseburgers? Lets assume for the sake of this exercise, you do! Think for a moment about the ingredients of this greatest of American inventions. (Actually, the concept of the “burger” was German in origin, but as Americans, we feel free to take credit for other’s achievements. What are the primary building blocks for this culinary delight?

2. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph Obviously, the core of the burger is the patty of meat, normally beef, but also can be turkey, soy or veggie. You also need some type of bread, roll, bun or English Muffin to “hold” it. Then there are any number of accoutrements available to provide more flavor to your burger. Essentially, the two basics are the patty and the bun. But, does that simple combination seem appetizing to you?

3. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph Depending upon your guest’s, or your own personal taste, we generally avoid providing a burger that is devoid of any cheese, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, tomato…(You get the picture) Providing just the patty and the bun is also known as the “bootleg burger.” To make the experience as enjoyable as possible, care must be take to build a tantalizing taste treat.

4. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph Just as you can construct a cheeseburger, so to can you create a paragraph. Considering that these paragraphs are for someone else’s consumption, (mine), there are some key things you need to consider when creating your paragraphs. If you can master the construction of the paragraph, your writing will improve greatly. Remember, that the paragraph is the smaller version (microcosm) of the essay (macrocosm).

5. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph Again, the burger two basic elements: the bun and the burger This, technically, is a burger. But it is bootleg, unappetizing, and difficult to digest. If you were served one of these, you probably would be disappointed. A paragraph contains some basic elements as well. Two basic elements would be the introductory and concluding sentences and a main idea that is being presented.

6. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph  The introductory and concluding sentences provide a basic framework that allows your reader to “grasp” the the paragraph, just as the bun allows you to grasp the burger.  The central idea of the paragraph is the “patty”. The more simplistic and poorly constructed this idea is, the more difficult it will be for me to “digest” your paragraph.  Hence, building a proper Cheeseburger and writing a concise and interesting paragraph have some elements in common.

7. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph Cheeseburger Needs a top and bottom bun to allow the eater to grasp it. Failure to so creates difficulty for the eater to consume it properly. The eater is the reader Paragraph Needs a topic sentence and a concluding sentence to allow your reader to “grasp” the basic idea presented in your paragraph. The reader is the eater

8. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph  Cheeseburger  Needs a patty!  This is the heart of the burger, and is the essential substance of the burger.  It must be properly formed and cooked for your eater.  Paragraph  Needs a central idea.  That is the heart of the paragraph.  It must be properly thought out, and presented in an “appetizing” manner for your reader.

9. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph  Cheeseburger  Do not include two patty’s on one bun!  This will give me a “Big Mack Attack.”  Further, your single patty must be substantial.  In other words, make your patty a “fatty.”  Paragraph  Do not include two main ideas in one paragraph.  This will give me a “Big Mack Attack.”  Chances are if you include two main ideas, you will not develop,both of them properly.  Make your “patty” a “fatty”

10. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph Cheeseburger Needs condiments and other ingredients to add flavor to the burger. Adding Mustard, ketchup, mayonaise, tomatoes increasxe the likelhood that your guest, me, will enjoy the burger more. Paragraph Needs supporting details to clarify and substantiate the major idea that you have presented These details, facts, examples make your paragraph more understandable. You cannot rely simply on your opinion to win over your reader.

11. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph To re-cap, the structure of the paragraph actually mirrors the structure of the essay. It does not mater if your essay is five paragraphs long for a freshmen global class, or a hundred page paper that is your senior thesis in College. The basic format remains the same. The better you are able to understand the parallel between these two, the greater the possibility that you will be able to write in a concise and interesting manner.

12. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph The Paragraph Topic Sentence: Provides the reader with a basic idea of what the paragraph will focus on. Provides a critical key word or phrase that identifies the main idea of the paragraph The Essay Introduction: provides the reader with a general idea of the focus of the essay. Provides a key word or phrase that identifies the topic clearly, and allows the reader too anticipate what is to follow.

13. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph The Paragraph The body of the paragraph is constructed to include details, facts and examples that further support the main idea you have introduced in the topic sentence These serve to give your ideas veracity, or truth. The Essay Body paragraphs will support the main idea that you presented in the introduction. They are like columns that support the roof of a structure.

14. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph The Paragraph The Concluding Sentence will wrap up the paragraph. It serves as a reminder of for the reader that you have addressed the issue properly. This leaves the reader with a satisfied feeling. The Essay The Conclusion will wrap up the essay. It provides the reader with an opportunity to think back on what they have read. If done properly, the reader will leave the essay feeling satisfied

15. The “Cheeseburger” Paragraph Let’s summarize: Building the paragraph will allow you to build the essay Look to the cheeseburger as your guide, and remember to provide the reader with: Something to hang on to (Top and Bottom) A substantial burger Tasty and numerous additions to the basic burger to add flavor