1. MEL-Con

2. What is MEL-Con? M=Main Idea “Answers” the question
Sets up the paragraph
The first sentence of the paragraph

3. What is MEL-Con? E=Evidence or Examples
Information from sources such as books, lectures, readings, etc. that support your main idea
The “stuff” you learned or found out about the topic
Evidence can be quotes, statistics, facts
Evidence that is common—anyone can use it or find it

4. What is MEL-Con?
L-Link
Links the evidence you used to the key idea in your topic sentence
Explains how the evidence supports your topic
The link is what you think or how you relate the evidence to the topic
Your link is unique—it shows your through process and why you chose the evidence you chose

5. What is MEL-Con? CON=Concluding Statement
The last sentence of your paragraph which summarizes your answer, you evidence
Mentions your three pieces of evidence again in a new, short way

6. Transitions Don’t forget to use transitions!!!
Separates each of your pieces of evidence
Organizes your paragraph and makes it easy for the reader to follow
Even more importantly
A great example is
The first good reason is
Moreover
One good example is
A second quote is
Third but most important
A final good example is

7. The Steps Step One Answer the question with a statement
Do not start with “I think” or “I feel” or “I believe”
Do not start with YES or NO
Example: Should high schools require all students to wear uniforms? Why or why not?
High schools should require all students to wear uniforms.
THIS BECOMES YOUR MAIN IDEA: THE M in MEL-Con

8. The Steps
Step Two
Identify the key idea that you will link your evidence to with your link/explanation
This is the key idea of what you are trying to prove or explain
High schools should require all students to wear uniforms.
NOW—for each example you give, you must link it back to the fact that high school students should be required to wear uniforms

9. The Steps
Step Three
Identify your first example that you think supports this
To begin with, uniforms would save parents money.
Step Four
Link your example back to your key idea
An easy way to do this is like this:
For example, parents could simply buy two or three inexpensive uniforms. They wouldn’t feel any pressure to spend money on designer jeans, name-brand shoes, or other high-priced clothes.

10. The Steps
Step Five
Repeat the previous two steps and find another example and link it
Step Six
Make sure you use transitions between each example
To begin with, uniforms would save parents money.
Step Seven
End your paragraph with a concluding statement to wrap up your ideas
So, it is clear that all high school students should have to wear uniforms. Uniforms can save families money, enable students to focus more on learning, and help students to get along.

11. The Full MEL-Con Paragraph
High schools should require all students to wear uniforms. To begin with, uniforms would save parents money. Parents could simply buy two or three inexpensive uniforms. They wouldn’t’ feel any pressure to spend money on designer jeans, name-brand shoes, or other high-priced clothes. Also, students wouldn't have to worry about what to wear. They would get up every morning knowing how they’d be dressed for school. Their attention, then, could be more on learning than on making a fashion statement. Last of all, uniforms would help all students get along. Rich students wouldn’t be able to show off by wearing expensive clothes, and poor students wouldn’t have any reason to feel shabby. When rich and poor wear the same uniforms, there’s a sense that everyone is equal. So, it is clear that all high school students should have to wear uniforms. Uniforms can save families money, enable students to focus more on learning, and help students to get along.

12. The Full MEL-Con Paragraph
In the “School Uniforms” paragraph:
Circle the main idea (M)
Underline each piece of evidence (E)
Put a box around each link (L)
Highlight each transition word
Circle the concluding statement (Con)
Repeat with the rest of the example MEL-Con paragraphs

13. Writing Good Links
The LINK in your MEL-Con paragraph is the most important part
The LINK explains how your example or evidence supports your Main Idea
The LINK is what you think or how you think

14. Writing Good Links
Identify the key word in your main idea (usually an adjective or a verb)
Example : The best restaurant in Rolling Meadows is Pappadeaux.
Key Word: BEST
Use your key word (or a synonym) to begin your link
This makes the restaurant the best in the area because…

15. Writing Good Links
Identify the key word in your main idea (usually an adjective or a verb)
Example : In the book The Lord of the Flies, Jack and Ralph have very different styles of leadership.
Key Word: DIFFERENT
Use your key word (or a synonym) to begin your link
In this example, the difference between the two is evident because…

16. Writing Good Links
Identify the key word in your main idea (usually an adjective or a verb)
Example : Romeo, even though he is older than Juliet, proves to be very immature in Shakespeare’s play.
Key Word: IMMATURE
Use your key word (or a synonym) to begin your link
In this scene Romeo shows how immature he is by acting like…