Paragraph structure for writing about literature

General Hints When writing about literature, always write in the present tense. When writing about literature NEVER use “you.” Write in the third person (“the reader” ) or Write in the first person (“I”) if given permission by the teacher.

Topic Sentence The first sentence States the topic and your opinion/insight on the topic Includes genre, author’s name and title of the short story, book or article The setting of the short story “The Most Dangerous Game” by Richard Connell contributes to the suspense of the story.

Sentence #2 (concrete detail) Concrete detail (example or quotation) from the story that explains or proves your opinion. If you use a quotation, make sure to attach it to a sentence. Example: When Rainsford falls off the ship, the water around Ship Trap Island feels “blood warm.”

Sentence #3(Commentary) Explain the concrete detail in the previous sentence. Explain how the detail supports or proves the opinion in the topic sentence. Example: “This description of the water around the island gives the reader a feeling of mystery and threat.

Sentence #4 Another concrete detail (example or quotation) that supports the idea or insight stated in your topic sentence. Example: The shoreline of Ship Trap Island, with sharp rocks and tall cliffs, also suggests that the island is not a friendly place.