Paragraph Structure

 An Assertion must:  Indicate the specific topic you are going to discuss (What an author is doing )  Indicate what your observation or conclusion about the topic is All paragraphs must contain an assertion. Assertion is another term for Topic Sentence or Thesis Statement.

Sample Assertions Strong Assertion  In a brilliant effort to encourage her readers to agree with her challenging argument, Mairs establishes strong ethos early in the essay. Weak Assertion  Nancy Mairs is disabled, which establishes her ethos for her essay.

Check your Assertion!

 Examples are specific  Quotes should be kept short  Choose examples that clearly demonstrate your assertion The Next Step: Examples Examples come from the text

Sample Examples Strong example  In the first paragraph, Mairs introduces herself to her audience in blunt terms: “I am a forty-three year old woman crippled with MS.” Weak example  She tells us she is disabled when she says “I am a forty- three year old woman crippled with MS.”

Check your example(s)!!

 Commentary connects the example to the assertion  Commentary should elaborate on what you learned in SOAPStone  Commentary reveals your understanding of the piece The Final Step: Commentary Commentary may be called analysis or explanation Commentary reveals the effect of the author’s choice

Commentary Strong commentary  This direct approach immediately puts the reader at ease; the author is not going to try to make her audience feel badly about her condition. Weak commentary  Her use of the word “crippled” reminds us that she is disabled, which is the topic of her essay.

Check your commentary!!