1. Essay
A coherent piece of writing that gives your thoughts about, and educated analysis of, a subject.

2. Jane Schaffer Formulaic Writing Method
A method of writing essays that addresses the basic requirements of most essays required for school

3. Jane Schaffer Formulaic Writing Method
Before we begin the formula for essay writing, we need to understand the basic structure of a paragraph
• It is helpful to have common language around parts of the paragraph
• We also all have different learning styles, so the terms are color coded as well

4. Jane Schaffer Style One-Paragraph Two-Chunk
1. Topic Sentence
2. Concrete Detail
3. Commentary CHUNK
4. Commentary
5. Concrete Detail
6. Commentary CHUNK
7. Commentary
8. Concluding Sentence

5. One Paragraph Jane Schaffer-style
Topic Sentence (EDUCATED OPINION)
Main idea
Mildly controversial (or arguable)
Something you have to prove
Las Vegas is one of the most surreal cities in the world.
TS = TOPIC SENTENCE

6. One Paragraph Jane Schaffer-style
Concrete Detail
Support for your topic sentence
Fact
Can’t be argued with, and/or can be backed up
For instance, the center of the city is full of different kinds of buildings including a two-thirds scale Eiffel Tower, a giant black glass pyramid, a scaled-down replica of the New York skyline, and a faux Medieval castle.
(CD) = CONCRETE DETAIL

7. One Paragraph Jane Schaffer-style
Commentary
Your explanation of the concrete detail
Your personal insight
Your analysis
The whole place reminds me of a big amusement park like Disneyland with its different “lands.”
It’s as if each building was constructed in isolation without any consideration of the other buildings.
(CM) = COMMENTARY
(CM) = COMMENTARY

8. One Paragraph Jane Schaffer-style
Concluding Sentence
Wraps up the paragraph
Rephrases the main idea
Las Vegas is such a strange city, it is hard to believe it exists unless you actually go there and experience it for yourself.
(CS) = CONCLUDING SENTENCE

9. One Paragraph Jane Schaffer-style
How many “chunks” are there in this paragraph?
(TS) Las Vegas is the most surreal city anywhere in the world.
(CD) For instance, the center of the city is full of different kinds of buildings including a two-thirds scale Eiffel Tower, a giant black glass pyramid, a scaled-down replica of the New York skyline, and a faux Medieval castle.
(CM) The whole place reminds me of a big amusement park like Disneyland with its different “lands.”
(CM) It’s as if each building was constructed in isolation without any consideration of the other buildings.
(CD) In addition, this center is surrounded by a sprawl of suburbs housing close to two million people and stretching out into the desert.
(CM) I always wonder what made so many people want to live in such an inhospitable place.
(CM) All those people and houses almost seem as if they traveled across the wasteland and gathered to pay homage to the weird buildings in the center.
(CS) Las Vegas is such a strange city, it is hard to believe it actually exists unless you actually go there and experience it for yourself.

10. One Paragraph Jane Schaffer-style
Same sentences in paragraph form:
(TS) Las Vegas is the most surreal city anywhere in the world. (CD) For instance, the center of the city is full of different kinds of buildings including a two-thirds scale Eiffel Tower, a giant black glass pyramid, a scaled-down replica of the New York skyline, and a faux Medieval castle. (CM) The whole place reminds me of a big amusement park like Disneyland with its different “lands.” (CM) It’s as if each building was constructed in isolation without any consideration of the other buildings. (CD) In addition, this center is surrounded by a sprawl of suburbs housing close to two million people and stretching out into the desert. (CM) I always wonder what made so many people want to live in such an inhospitable place. (CM) All those people and houses almost seem as if they traveled across the wasteland and gathered to pay homage to the weird buildings in the center. (CS) Las Vegas is such a strange city, it is hard to believe it actually exists unless you actually go there and experience it for yourself.

11. One Paragraph Jane Schaffer-style
Sample paragraph on Harry Potter.
Hand out two-chunk sample
Highlight the Topic Sentence in blue
Highlight the Concrete Detail in red (pink)
Highlight the Commentary in green
Highlight the Concluding Sentence in blue
Circle transitions
On your own first, then correct with the teacher

12. One Paragraph Jane Schaffer-style
Sample paragraph order
Hand out sample
Rearrange the eight sentences in the correct order based on the Jane Schaffer style. Look for transitions to help with the order.
Use the quarter sheet paper to write down the correct order (this will be graded)
Sit quietly and read until everyone is finished, then we will correct in class

13. Homework Write a 2 chunk paragraph Topic:
Pick a hero from literature or a movie. What makes them a hero and why.
Ex.
Aladin, from Disney’s Aladin, is a hero because he is brave and in the end, becomes selfless.

14. One Paragraph Jane Schaffer-style (this will be assigned NEXT WEEK)
On your own, write a “two-chunk” paragraph about a location of your choice that you think is unique and special. It could be the most beautiful city you have ever seen (or the poorest, the richest, smallest, largest, etc), or the most entertaining or peaceful place you have visited. Model your paragraph after the sample paragraph shown in the previous slide. Do some research about your topic to make sure you have concrete details* to support your topic sentence.
*it is difficult to find CD’s to support ‘beautiful’ but not impossible, so do the research before selecting your city and topic

15. Paragraph Requirements
Typed
1 1/2 - Double Spacing
12 Font
Times New Roman
Creative Title