Everyone needs an umbrella sometimes…

The Umbrella Paragraph  The umbrella paragraph is a step up from the essay.  It should have more support, using specific examples from the text.  But….  …the main difference is the topic sentence…

The Umbrella Paragraph  The topic sentence is a generalization of the main idea. You don’t list the three specific ideas in the topic sentence.  For example, instead of saying: In Ben Mikaelsen’s novel Sparrow Hawk Red, the protagonist, Ricky Diaz shows he is a loyal friend to Soledad when he (1) defends her from an angry tourist, (2) offers her supportive advice and (3) takes her out to dinner.

The Umbrella Paragraph  You might say: In Ben Mikaelsen’s novel Sparrow Hawk Red, the protagonist, Ricky Diaz repeatedly shows he is a loyal friend to Soledad.  The specific details come later.

The Umbrella Paragraph  Like the , the is all one paragraph.  It should still contain transition words and plenty of support using specific examples from the text.  The conclusion should still summarize and be “forward looking.”

The Umbrella Paragraph Using examples correctly:  Your examples should support your ideas: First, you must INTRODUCE them with information about what is going on at this point in the story. First, you must INTRODUCE them with information about what is going on at this point in the story. Then, give a clear and specific example to support your thesis argument. Include page numbers (23). Then, give a clear and specific example to support your thesis argument. Include page numbers (23). Finally, you should COMMENT ON your example in your own words. Give more information about the connection between your example and the idea sentence. Finally, you should COMMENT ON your example in your own words. Give more information about the connection between your example and the idea sentence.

The Umbrella Paragraph  Like this : (Idea sentence) (Idea sentence) Ricky is a loyal friend to Soledad when he defends her from an angry tourist. (Introduce example) (Introduce example) Soledad has been washing cars all day to earn money for her younger siblings. After washing the car of a tourist, Soledad asks for a mere 500 pesos. In response, the angry tourist scoffs at her “car wash” and calls Soledad a “little pig” (Mikaelsen 100). The tourist then grabs the young girl’s arm and spins her around. (Integrated support) (Integrated support) This was too much for Ricky to watch. The five hundred pesos only amounted to spare change—nothing to a wealthy tourist. In Soledad’s defense, Ricky seizes a bucket of sewer water and “douse[s] the man” with it (100). (Comment on the example) (Comment on the example) Ricky can’t stand to see his new friend treated with such disrespect. He takes as much as he can bear then breaks, showing where his true values are—in support of his friend.

The Umbrella Paragraph  The conclusion is the same as a : the author’s last name, the title, and an analysis: In Mikaelsen’s novel, Sparrow Hawk Red, Ricky Diaz shows he is a sympathetic and caring character. He not only proves that he will go to any extent to be a loyal friend to Soledad, but he has learned that a “street kid,” like Soledad, deserves as much respect as any one else. Ricky will no longer call a person less fortunate than he a “ratero.”

The Umbrella Paragraph  Remember: Active voice! Active voice! Present tense! Present tense! Third Person! Third Person!