Grade 9 Applied English Series of Paragraph 101

What is a Series of Paragraphs? A series of paragraphs is nothing more than a fancy name for an essay An essay is a very structured set of ideas that try to prove a point that the author has decided to write about There are may types of essays but the one thing that they all have in common is that they are all Your goal as a writer is to pretend you are writing to someone who doesn’t believe you, and you are trying to change their mind about a specific topic! Persuasive

How Do I Begin? Step 1: Brainstorm Step 2: Come up with an idea Step 3: Come up with an outline Step 4: Start to write Step 5: Peer edit Step 6: Final draft!

The Structure:

The Structure.. The BIG Picture! (Literally…) The hamburger method is the best way to remember essay structure. You have the top bun that you first “sink your teeth into”, then the juicy, delicious middle where all the “meat” of your essay is, and then the bun on the bottom that holds the entire thing together!

Introduction Structure Hook: There are many different types of hooks. The purpose of the hook is to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to continue reading. It should relate to the reason why you are writing the essay in the first place. Types of hooks include: Quotes Definitions Statements…

Introduction Structure Background Information You provide background information because you are always assuming your reader knows nothing about what you are talking about. You need to give them CONTEXT You include: The TITLE and AUTHOR of the work you are writing about Setting Important or key characters A quick glimpse of key conflicts

Introduction Structure Thesis Statement This is the most important part of an essay. The purpose is to let your reader know exactly what you want your reader to learn by reading your paper. There are two parts to your thesis statement: Topic Opinion The topic tells The opinion tells the reader what the reader what the main idea of your stance is on your essay is. that topic. Ex// Love, war, Ex// … causes the friendship… main character to lose hope

Introduction Structure Thesis Statement After you have brainstormed and created your thesis statement, and you know what you are arguing, you need to create a: Mapping Statement The mapping statement lets your reader know what your three body paragraphs are going to be about. That means you list three ideas in it You write it like a list, where you start off by describing them similarly so it flows well. Make them parallel! Ex//…due to physical, emotional and verbal suffering.

Thesis Statement Example: For example: Pretend your thesis is: In the story,“On the Sidewalk Bleeding” Andy’s identity is lost forever because of the couple, the officer and the jacket. What is the topic? What is the opinion? What are the three parts of the mapping statement? What would paragraph 1 be about? Paragraph 2? Paragraph 3? Thesis Statement

Body Paragraphs In a series of paragraphs, you will have 3 body paragraphs Your three body paragraphs are the three things that you listed in your mapping statement The order that you put them in the mapping statement is the same order you put your body paragraphs in Body paragraphs have a very specific structure. This ensures that you clearly and concisely explain your ideas to ensure your reader understands your thoughts

Body Paragraph Structure Topic Sentence First is the The topic sentence connects to your three ideas in your mapping statement. The first point in your mapping statement is your first body paragraph’s topic sentence, the second idea from it is your second body paragraph, and the third will be the topic sentence for your third body paragraph Your topic sentence provides the topic for the paragraph, and explains how it helps to prove your thesis

Body Paragraph Structure Example: Topic Sentence If you remember, the thesis statement was: In the story,“On the Sidewalk Bleeding” Andy’s identity is lost forever because of the couple, the officer and the jacket. The first topic sentence should include the first idea from the mapping statement, and it should explain how it proves the thesis. An example for the first body paragraph would be: The couple contributes to Andy’s loss of identity since they let him to die, which takes away his chance to turn his life around for the better. (notice the explanation of how the topic proves the thesis)

Body Paragraph Structure Point Next you have a Your point is a supporting detail that helps explain your topic sentence. Your point should be clear and concise. It should not be a part of the plot. For Example: Good One reason why the couple contributed to Andy’s loss of identity is because they acted selfishly. The point here is that the couple was selfish, which supports the idea that they took away his chance of a better life. Notice how this point is not obvious on its own. You need more information as a reader to clarify this idea. Bad because Freddie walked Angela home. This does not show any relationship to the thesis. It does not show any connection between Andy’s loss of identity and the couple.

Body Paragraph Structure Proof Next you have a A proof comes in one of two forms. It is either a: or a The preferred method is to use a quote because a quote does not leave any room for interpretation. We know that a quote shows exactly how it was said originally. The quote should show an example of the point that you just made in the previous sentence(s). Quote Specific Example

Direct Quotations Inserting quotations can be tricky… Both parts of a divided quotation are enclosed in quotation marks. The first word of the second part of the quotation is not capitalized unless it begins a new sentence. Divided: “There would be no one to live for during those coming years,” says Mrs. Mallard, “she would live for herself” (Chopin 38). Use quotation marks to begin and end a direct quotation. In a direct quotation, the words of the speaker are quoted exactly, and the first word of the quotation is capitalized. Direct: Mrs. Mallard states “Free! Body and soul free” (Chopin 38).

Indirect Quotations Quotation marks are never used with an indirect quotation, which reports the meaning of the speaker but not in direct words. Indirect: Mrs. Mallard talks about freedom, in particular, she exclaims she is free in both her mind and body (Chopin 38).

Quotations Always lead up to your quotation by giving the speaker and the situation. Do not assume that the reader knows the exact part of the story that you are quoting. Always follow up your quotation by commenting on, explaining, applying, interpreting, or drawing a conclusion from your quotation. Do not leave the reader to do the work! Never move on to a new point or paragraph immediately after the quotation.

Quotations Short quotations of 1 to 4 lines are put into quotation marks and included, double spaced, in the body of the assignment. They are introduced by a comma (,) unless they are a continuation of a body paragraph sentence; the appropriate punctuation, or none at all, is then used. Quotations are followed by the author’s last name and page reference in parentheses, with no punctuation included, except a period after the closing bracket. For example: (Chopin 38).

Body Paragraph Structure Your Topic Sentence: The couple contributes to Andy’s loss of identity since they let him to die, which takes away his chance to turn his life around for the better. Your Point: The couple acts selfishly instead of trying to save Andy’s life. An Example of a Proof: When they see him on the ground and realize he is bleeding they say, “I don't want to get mixed up in this. He's a Royal. We help him, and the Guardians'll be down on our necks. I don't want to get mixed up in this, Angela” (Hunter 2). Notice how the connection between this quote and the point you made is not necessarily obvious. It requires some explanation on your part. That brings us to the next part of paragraph structure.

Body Paragraph Structure Explanation Next you have You need to create a sentence, after you have provided support for your topic sentence, that takes the time to explain how your point and proof relate to your thesis statement. For Example: The fact that the couple is afraid to help Andy shows that they care more about themselves than another person dying. Since they let him die, Andy loses his chance to change his life for the better.

Body Paragraph Structure Concluding Sentence Lastly, you have a There are two parts to a concluding sentence. First you need to: Restate your topic sentence in a different way Then you need to: Transition into your next topic sentence For Example: Although the couple plays a role in taking away Andy’s chance at a new life, the officer also contributes to Andy’s loss of identity.

Body Paragraph : Final Product Thesis: In the story,“On the Sidewalk Bleeding” Andy’s identity is lost forever because of the couple, the officer and the jacket. First Body Paragraph: Firstly, the couple contributes to Andy’s loss of identity since they let him to die, which takes away his chance to change who he is and have a better life. One reason why the couple contributed to Andy’s loss of identity is because they acted selfishly. When they see him on the ground and realize he is bleeding they say, “I don't want to get mixed up in this. He's a Royal. We help him, and the Guardians'll be down on our necks. I don‘t want to get mixed up in this, Angela” (Hunter 2). Therefore, the fact that the couple is afraid to help Andy shows that they care more about themselves than another person dying. Since they let him die, Andy loses his chance to change his life for the better. Although the couple plays a role in taking away Andy’s chance at a new life, the officer also contributes to Andy’s loss of identity.

Conclusion The conclusion is meant to bring it all home! It is the wrap up section of your essay. It follows the following format

Conclusion First: Restate Thesis (differently from how it was stated in your introduction) Second: Summarize Paragraph 1 Third: Summarize Paragraph 2 Fourth: Summarize Paragraph 3 Fifth: Leave a Final Thought – Like Jerry Springer!

Transitions Transitions are words or phrases that connect ideas. Transitions help the reader clearly understand relationships in your writing such as time, space, emphasis, example, contrast, comparison, effect and addition. In a proper paragraph, transitions are incorporated to create fluency in your writing and to connect your ideas/sentences. For example: Firstly, Secondly, Lastly, Finally For example, For instance, Thus, As a result, Consequently In addition to, Similarly In contrast, Rather, Yet, But

Transitions

Transitions Transitions are meant to be like a road map for your reader. They help tell them which ideas are new, and which ones are connected. They also help your ideas flow and sound better together. There are some key places to put transitions in an essay to really help guide your audience: At the beginning of each new body paragraph At the beginning of each new point At the beginning of each new explanation At the beginning of each closing sentence Look at your paragraph again…

Body Paragraph : Final Product Thesis: In the story,“On the Sidewalk Bleeding” Andy’s identity is lost forever because of the couple, the officer and the jacket. First Body Paragraph: Firstly, the couple contributes to Andy’s loss of identity since they let him to die, which takes away his chance to change who he is and have a better life. One reason why the couple contributed to Andy’s loss of identity is because they acted selfishly. When they see him on the ground and realize he is bleeding they say, “I don't want to get mixed up in this. He's a Royal. We help him, and the Guardians'll be down on our necks. I don‘t want to get mixed up in this, Angela” (Hunter 2). Therefore, the fact that the couple is afraid to help Andy shows that they care more about themselves than another person dying. Since they let him die, Andy loses his chance to change his life for the better. Although the couple plays a role in taking away Andy’s chance at a new life, the officer also contributes to Andy’s loss of identity.

MLA Format – The Basics MLA Format is the format used in English and other Arts programs. There are some key elements of MLA format to remember when you develop an essay. You need to go through them like a checklist to ensure that your format is correct. It is meant to help guard against plagiarism

MLA Format STRUCTURE The entire essay need to be double spaced There should be no extra spaces between paragraphs. You simply go to the next available line to start your next paragraph (sticking to your double space structure). Make sure your line-spacing defaults are all set to “0”. Your entire essay should use 1 inch margins. Indent each new paragraph

MLA Format You do not need a title page. Instead, the first page of your essay has a very specific set up…

MLA Format ESSAY DETAILS At the top of the page, on the left side, you put the following information in this order: Your FULL name Your teacher’s name Your Course Code The date, using the following format: Day Month Year Do not use commas and do not write the “4th” For Example: John Smith ENG 1P1 Mrs. Jones 30 May 2012

MLA Format TITLE You need to have a creative title that connects to the meaning of your essay Your title should have no bolding, no underling and no italics It should be centered It should go on the next available line following your name, teacher, course code and date details

MLA Format HEADER At the top of the page, you have to input a header Insert page numbers and choose the option so they are aligned right After that, on the left side of the page number, write your last name The final product looks like this:

MLA Format The very last part of MLA format is the Works Cited page Go to a new page after you have reached the end of your essay At the very top of the page, center the words : Works Cited At the next available line, you will put your citations for the books or other works you used. A book citation uses the following format: