1. The building blocks of writing:
An essay is made up of paragraphs
Which is made up of sentences
BUT there are different kinds of sentences that belong in different places:
Thesis Sentence: the main idea or argument of the paper; last sentence of the Introductory Paragraph
Topic Sentences: The main idea of each body paragraph; subdivisions of the thesis statement
Chunks: the series of sentences that present your evidence in support of your topic and thesis sentences

2. A “Chunk” is three related sentences: an Assertion Evidence
and your Commentary on that evidence
Each paragraph must have THREE chunks for good development
American culture can be described as materialistic.
The average American family owns at least one car that is a mirror of their financial status.
The recent Toyota ads for the Camry state that it has great mpg and it’s sold at an affordable price.
What can be inferred is that people would rather spend money on goods other than gas, mainly other material objects that reflect financial standing.
Topic Sentence:
General idea, overall statement
Assertion
Statement that is true that relates to the main idea above
Evidence
Detail, fact, or quote that supports or proves the assertion.
Commentary
An opinion, inference, or conclusion that comes from the
A & E

3. Do this THREE times for each paragraph
Each paragraph has this pattern:
Topic Sentence #1
General idea, overall statement
Assertion #1
Statement that is true that relates to the topic
Evidence #1
Detail, fact, or quote that supports or proves the assertion.
Commentary #1
An opinion, inference, or conclusion that comes from the
A & E
Do this THREE times for each paragraph