How To Write A Paragraph New Terminology New Structure

Topic Sentence : TS page 2 of writing tips.  A Topic Sentence introduces the purpose or main idea of the paragraph.  A TS must have an opinion idea in it, something more than a fact.  A TS may have character names and details but it will directly tell your reader which part of the prompt you are addressing.

Concrete Detail : CD page 2 of writing tips.  A Concrete Detail, or CD is a fact from the story used to prove your point in the TS.  A CD is a quote taken directly from the reading used to support your main idea found in the TS.  Remember, there are no opinion ideas in a CD, fact only.

Lead-Ins page 2 of writing tips.  All CD’s must have a lead-in to surround the CD.  For Example: “ ‘Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?’” (Steinbeck 107).  This doesn’t work, a quote cannot stand alone, it must have a frame that you create.

Lead-Ins page 2 of writing tips  As you get better at writing lead- ins, there will be more sentence frame, and less text.  For example: Carlson shows himself to be completely disconnected from other people when he says: “‘Now what the hell ya suppose is eatin’ them two guys?’” (Steinbeck 107).

Commentary: CM page 3 of writing tips.  Commentary sentences, or CM’s are the most important part of your paragraph.  CM sentences are the ideas that come out of your head about your main idea.  CM sentences are your analysis of the main idea.

Commentary : CM page 3 of writing tips.  CM sentences are where you prove your point with high level analysis.  Be careful not to merely summarize what is happening in the reading, prove something in your commentary.  Provide a SO WHAT in these sentences. Why should your reader care about what your are writing.

Concluding Sentence : CS page 3 of writing tips.  The CS is where you wrap up the main idea of the paragraph.  The CS will sound a lot like the TS.  Often when I am finished with my own paragraph, I find my CS is much more focused and to the point when compared to my TS and I will often switch them.

General Paragraph Structure  TS  CD The CD, CM,CM,CM  CM repetition is called a  CM CHUNK. This is the  CM structure for a one chunk  CS paragraph.

Two-Chunk Paragraph Structure  TS  CD Remember, you can always have  CM more commentary sentences, but  CM you may never have less than three.  CM  CD To add a second chunk, you need to  CM have a second piece of text and  CM continue proving your point.  CM The TS should support two ideas and  CS your chunks should connect.