1. Triple-decker Paragraphs
How to Write a Tasty, Juicy Paragraph
A modified Jane Schaeffer paragraph Powerpoint created by Hollie Gustke and modified by Trina Mangione

2. Note:
You will use the 11-sentence-paragraph model (or some derivation thereof) to write:
literary analyses—these types of writing require a careful, critical look at a work (or works) of literature.
argumentative essays—these types of writing begin with a clear claim that is argued throughout the essay.

3. Get Ready to Color Your World!
Materials: When we analyze writing, we will use 3 colors of highlighters.
First color (yellow) is for Claims and Closing Sentences.
Second color (pink) is for Evidence.
Third color (blue/green) is for Commentary.

4. Step 1: Claim (C) A claim (C) is the top bun of a hamburger.
C = TOPIC sentence of the paragraph. (the first sentence)
It is the main idea that you will prove throughout your paragraph.

5. Example Claim (C)
In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has traits which help him succeed. .

6. Step Two: Evidence
EVIDENCE = Examples from the text, the meat patty of the hamburger.
EVIDENCE proves or supports your CLAIM

7. Example Evidence (E)
In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has traits which help him succeed. For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick.

8. Step 3: Commentary (CM) Commentary =
Explanation - your conclusions, analysis, interpretation, or insight into the text.
CM=are the “extras” on the hamburger—the tomato, cheese, lettuce, mayo—they make it delicious!

9. Example Commentary (2 CMs)
In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has traits which help him succeed. For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick. The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house (1). This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf (2).

10. Step 4: Closing Sentence (CS)
A closing sentence (CS) is the bottom bun of the hamburger.
A CS brings a close to the claim by wrapping up the paragraph.

11. Example Closing Sentence (CS)
In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has traits which help him succeed. For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick. The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house (1). This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf (2). In conclusion, the third pig outsmarts not only his brothers but the “big, bad” wolf as well.

12. Complete (if short) Paragraph
In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has traits which help him succeed. For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick. The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house (1). This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf (2). In conclusion, the third pig outsmarts not only his brothers but the “big, bad” wolf as well.

13. C, E, CM, CS—Now What?
CHUNKING--A combination of E and CM is called a chunk.
We will use a combination (or “ratio”) of 1:2. That is, for every 1 Evidence sentence, you will have 2 Commentary sentences.

14. For an eleven-sentence paragraph, you have three chunks:
Claim
Evidence from Text
Commentary
Closing Sentence
Example of chunking
For an eleven-sentence paragraph, you have three chunks:

15. Transitions Evidence transitions: For example, For instance,
In the story,
Commentary transitions:
Thus,
Because of this,
Therefore,
Consequently,
This shows that

16. Now you know how to write a three-chunk paragraph…
Does It Flow?
Now you know how to write a three-chunk paragraph…
LET’S EAT!

17. Step 6: A Whole Paragraph
In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has the traits that help him succeed. For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick. The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house. This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf. Additionally, he is a hard worker. Although it is much easier to build a house out of straw, he chooses the sturdy material. Even though

18. Continued…
laying bricks is time-consuming, he knows it is the better choice. This oldest pig also learns his lessons. He remembers his mother taught him that predators seek out little pigs. Knowing a wolf-attack is likely, he plans out his home construction to prevent tragedy. In conclusion, the third pig’s nature enables him to outsmart not only his brothers, but the “big, bad” wolf as well.

19. Notice the color pattern:
In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has the traits that help him succeed. For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick. The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house. This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf. Additionally, he is a hard worker. Although it is much easier to build a house out of straw, he chooses the material that will hold up. Even though laying bricks is time-consuming, he knows it is the better choice. This oldest pig also learns his lessons. He remembers his mother taught him that predators seek out little pigs. Knowing a wolf-attack is likely, he plans out his home construction to prevent tragedy. In conclusion, the third pig’s nature enables him to outsmart not only his brothers, but the “big, bad” wolf as well.

20. Let’s try our own!!