Paragraph Organization The SIEL Method

Key to Idea Organization S = State it! I = Illustrate it! E = Explain it! L = Link it!

S = State it! Stating it! means 1) giving your reader the main idea of the paragraph, and/or 2) answering the prompt. Example prompt: Analyze what characteristics are required to be a hero based Aragorn’s character in Lord of the Rings. In Lord of the Rings, Aragorn proves that in order to be a hero, one must have courage, intelligence, humility, and the ability to heal.

I = Illustrate it! To illustrate your point or idea, you must give examples from the text to support your point of view. Example: Aragorn clearly shows that one must have courage to be a hero. For example, Aragorn attempts to turn around and fight the Balrog even though the creature is far more powerful than he is (Fellowship of the Ring). Using “for example” is a great way to include transitions!!!!!

Our paragraph so far…. In Lord of the Rings, Aragorn proves that in order to be a hero, one must have courage, intelligence, humility, and the ability to heal. Aragorn clearly shows that one must have courage to be a hero. For example, Aragorn attempts to turn around and fight the Balrog even though the creature is far more powerful than he is (Fellowship of the Ring). So we have our State it! and our Illustrate it! Let’s move onto our longest and trickiest part….

E = Explain it! In the explanation part, you must explain to your reader how the quote (Illustrate it!) proves your idea (State it!). This should be twice as long as your Illustrate it!. Example: Aragorn’s action shows that he is not afraid to fight; he will even fight a creature that he has no chance of winning against if it means saving his friends. Gandalf may have told him that “swords are no more use here” but that does not decrease the amount of courage Aragorn showed in wanting to fight the Balrog (Fellowship of the Ring).

L = Link it! Now Link it! is the very last part of your answer or paragraph. So you must decide…are you finished, or do you need to include more examples? The answer is in your prompt and your State it!

Look at your State it! Your State it! said: In Lord of the Rings, Aragorn proves that in order to be a hero, one must have courage, intelligence, humility, and the ability to heal. Are you done? Have you given examples and explanation for intelligence? Humility? Ability to heal? If not…go back to State it!

Your paragraph so far… In Lord of the Rings, Aragorn proves that in order to be a hero, one must have courage, intelligence, humility, and the ability to heal. Aragorn clearly shows that one must have courage to be a hero. For example, Aragorn attempts to turn around and fight the Balrog even though the creature is far more powerful than he is (Fellowship of the Ring). Aragorn’s action shows that he is not afraid to fight; he will even fight a creature that he has no chance of winning against if it means saving his friends. Gandalf may have told him that “swords are no more use here” but that does not decrease the amount of courage Aragorn showed in wanting to fight the Balrog (Fellowship). Another characteristic a hero must have is intelligence. For example, Aragorn is extremely smart in knowing that the Black Riders are looking for the hobbits in the village of Bree. He fills the hobbits’ bed with feather pillows to make the Black Riders think the hobbits are there when, in actuality, they are safe in another room (Fellowship). What comes next? Can you complete the next part of your own? (Hint: The next part is green!!!)

Helpful Hint Whether you are proving one characteristic or four, you need to be sure to always include as many examples as possible. If you are proving four characteristics, you need at least one example for each. If you are proving one characteristic, it is always a good idea to give your readers at least three or four examples (illustrations) of that characteristic!!!

Lastly…Link it! When you have completed all the necessary State it!, Illustrate it!, and Explain it!, then you need to link your paragraph back to the main idea. Example: All of the events above prove that according to Aragorn’s behavior in The Lord of the Rings, one must possess the qualities of courage, intelligence, humility, and the ability to heal to be a hero.