Transcript Writing a Multi-Paragraph Essay

Writing a Multi-Paragraph Essay
The Jane Schaffer way
Writing an Introduction:
 Ideas should go from general to
specific.
 Paragraph should be four to five
sentences including thesis statement.
 Thesis should go at end of
introduction.
Writing an Introduction
 Begin
with something to catch the
reader’s attention, a “hook.” For
example, a question/ anecdote /
interesting or provocative statement
/ famous quote…
Introduction
Introduce the texts – be sure to give the title and
author
◦ Titles of books and longer texts are italicized
◦ Titles of articles, poems, and shorter texts have “Quote
Marks” around them
◦ Capitalize the Main Words of Each Title
If there is more than one text – you have to
introduce both!
 Give a little bit of background information so the
reader knows what you are talking about.
 Beware of too much plot summary.
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Writing a Thesis
Thesis = Answer to prompt + your opinion
 Thesis shows your opinion about an
arguable topic.
 MAP OUT the rest of your essay
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◦ Each supporting detail for your opinion will
become a TOPIC SENTENCE in your body
paragraphs
◦ For example: Throughout her novel, Lee suggests
that injustice is a result [answer to prompt] of
different levels of society [BP 1], fear of those who
are different [BP 2], and pride in ancestry [BP 3].
Example Introduction:
Jealousy is a powerful emotion that can lead to
horrible circumstances. Sometimes, people are not
even aware of what they are doing when they are
doing it, but their emotions take over and make
them do terrible things. In Arthur Miller’s The
Crucible, jealousy and revenge take hold of young
Abigail Williams causing her to wreak havoc on an
entire town. Ultimately, it is Abigail’s actions that
result in the witch trials and the killing of many
innocent people.
Body Paragraphs-Terms to Know
Topic Sentence (TS)
This sentence is the first sentence in
your paragraph and lets the reader know
what the main focus of the paragraph will
be.
It MUST relate to your thesis statement.
Body Paragraph-Terms to Know
Concrete Detail (CD)
◦ This is the stuff from the text– it’s the evidence for your
commentary!
◦ Plot References/Paraphrasing/facts, examples from story
(what happened).
Direct Quote (DQ)
• Must be integrated properly! Needs a lead in or out of the
quote. No drop and plop!
• Include a parenthetical citation AT THE END OF THE
SENTENCE (no matter where the quote went), with
author’s last name and page number. For example:
• (Salinger 44).
Body Paragraph-Terms to Know
Commentary 2x (CM)
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Comes after ALL CD and DQ!!!!
This is the stuff from inside your head!
Your words and explanations.
May be referred to as: analysis,
interpretation, opinion, inference, insight,
reasons, elaboration.
◦ Must be at least twice as long as your
quotes.
◦ Use your Power Verb List here!
Body Paragraph-Terms to Know
Concluding Sentence (CS)
Use your list of transitional words and phrases!
This is the last sentence in your paragraph. Sums it
up and ties back to the topic sentence and your
thesis (As a result,…)
The “Perfect” Body Paragraph
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Sent. #1 -Topic Sentence-TS (Tells the reader
what the paragraph is about).
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Sent. #2 - Concrete Detail-CD (An example
from the text).
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Sent. #3 - Direct Quote-DQ- (From the text,
must be cited).
Sent. #4-6- Commentary- 2x CM (Your analysis
of the quote or evidence).
Sent. #7- Concluding Sentence – CS (Sums it
up and ties back to the topic sentence and thesis).
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What it might look like with 2+ texts
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Sent. #1 -Topic Sentence-TS (Tells the reader what the
paragraph is about).
Sent. #2 - Concrete Detail-CD (An example from the text).
Sent. #3 - Direct Quote-DQ- (From the text, must be cited).
Sent. #4 - Concrete Detail-CD (An example from the other text).
Sent. #5 - Direct Quote-DQ- (From the other text, must be
cited).
Sent. #6-10- Commentary- 2x CM (Your analysis of the quote or
evidence, HOW DOES YOUR EVIDENCE ANSWER THE
PROMPT’S QUESTION?).
Sent. #11- Concluding Sentence – CS (Sums it up and ties back
to the topic sentence and thesis).
Example of Body Paragraph
In The Crucible, hysteria is used to initiate false
accusations. In Act I of the play, Rev. Hale questions
Tituba about her influence on the girls’ involvement in
witch craft. Hale inquires, “You have sent your spirit out
upon this child, have you not? Are you gathering souls
for the Devil?” (Act I. Scene I.). Reverend Hale’s
questioning encourages Abby to respond hysterically,
which then gives the girls the permission to do so as
well. As shown, the hysteria of Abby and the girls begins
the false accusations of witchcraft for many innocent
people.
Example of another body paragraph

A primary impact of war is the guilt and regret soldiers carry out of the
war. In his novel, O’Brien writes about the man he killed, and how he still
sees him “ ______” (O’Brien 111). Here, readers see how he struggles to
forgive himself, and tries to imagine what would have happened had he not
thrown a grenade that killed this man. He cannot stop remembering this
experience, and the guilt stays with him. Likewise, Ron Kovic, the main
character from Born on the 4th of July, yells at his mom that “we killed
women and children” and drinks as a way to cope with his guilt for such
acts (Stone). In addition, he visits the grave and the family of the man he
killed in a friendly-fire casualty, in order to release some of the guilt he has
for this mistake. Finally, veteran John Smith said in an interview that, “I can’t
forget the face of some of the people,” which is a sign of lingering guilt.
Although their method of coping is different – O’Brien writes to deal with
his guilt, Kovic drank and raged, Smith seems fine but has trouble with his
memories – all three soldiers carried a considerable amount of guilt after
the war.
Writing a Conclusion
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Like Intro, just three to five sentences.
All CM, no CD.
Do NOT repeat your thesis statement or
introductory paragraph, RESTATE it using different
words.
Reflect what your essay said and provide closure,
moving this time from specific to general.
Try to relate your thesis to the world at large.
Do NOT add any new information!
FOR THIS ESSAY:
◦ Give Holden advice. If you were his therapist, what next
steps would you suggest he/his family take?
Quotation Verbs
When introducing a
quotation, choose a
verb that best
reflects what you
want to say with the
material you have
chosen to quote. The
following is a list of
alternatives to the
word “says”
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demonstrates
objects
adds
defends
maintains
argues
assumes
Quotation Verbs
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disputes
remarks
challenges
establishes
shows
claims
specifies
compares
feels
contrasts
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concludes
illustrates
suggests
stresses
contends
introduces
questions
justifies
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presents
believes
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Transition Words or Phrases
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To improve your writing you need to make
sure that your ideas, both in sentences and
paragraphs, stick together or have
coherence and that the gap between ideas
is bridged smoothly. One way to do this is
by using transitions - words or phrases or
techniques that help bring two ideas
together. Transitional words and phrases
represent one way of gaining coherence.
Transition Words or Phases
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Certain words help continue an idea,
indicate a shift of thought or contrast,
or sum up a conclusion. Check the
following list of words to find those that
will pull your sentences and
paragraphs together.
Transition Words or Phrases
For continuing a
common line of
reasoning:
 consequently
clearly, then
furthermore
additionally
and
in addition
moreover
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in the same way
following this
further
also
pursuing this
further
in the light of
the... it is
because
besides that
easy to see that
Transition Words or Phrases
To change the line of reasoning
(contrast):
 However
On the other hand
Yet
Nevertheless
On the contrary
Transition Words or Phrases
For opening a
paragraph initially
or for general use:
• Admittedly
Assuredly
Certainly
Granted
No doubt
Nobody denies
Obviously
Of course
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Undoubtedly
Unquestionably
Generally speaking
In general
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To be sure
In this situation
Transition Words or Phrases
To restate a point within a paragraph
in another way:
In other words
 Point in fact
 Specifically
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Transition Words or Phrases
Transitional chains, to use in separating
sections of a paragraph which is
arranged chronologically:
 first... second... third...
generally... furthermore... finally
in the first place... also... lastly
in the first place... pursuing this further...
finally
to be sure... additionally... lastly
basically... similarly... as well
Transition Words or Phrases
To signal a conclusion:
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Therefore
Hence
In final analysis
In conclusion
Lastly
Finally
A Few More Tips!
Do not use first person.
 State your position and then support it
with evidence from the text.
 Describe plot elements using literary
present tense and active voice.
 Avoid informal, conversational
expressions that are, u know, like, well, so,
lol, idk, etc.
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