writing a support paragraph one fifth of a spectacular essay

topic sentence

states paragraph topic and thesis

topic sentence states paragraph topic and thesis

topic sentence states paragraph topic and thesis clearly states point of essay or speech

topic sentence states paragraph topic and thesis clearly states point of essay or speech Example Harry Potter is a courageous hero.

first supporting sentence Provides concrete details. The what from history or literature. May be a direct or indirect quotation

first supporting sentence Provides concrete details. The what from history or literature. May be a direct or indirect quotation

first supporting sentence Provides concrete details. The what from history or literature. May be a direct or indirect quotation direct quotation: the exact words used in a sentence or sentences

first supporting sentence Provides concrete details. The what from history or literature. May be a direct or indirect quotation direct quotation: the exact words used in a sentence or sentences “Inside, just visible, was a baby boy, fast asleep. Under a tuft of jet-black hair over his forehead they [Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall] could see a curiously shaped cut, like a bolt of lightening” (Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone 15).

first supporting sentence Provides concrete details. The what from history or literature. May be a direct or indirect quotation indirect quotation: a paraphrase of the words used in a sentence or sentences

first supporting sentence Provides concrete details. The what from history or literature. May be a direct or indirect quotation indirect quotation: a paraphrase of the words used in a sentence or sentences Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall look at the sleeping Harry Potter and notice the lightning bolt scar on his forehead (Rowling, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone 15).

#1 sentence this sentence provides the reader with clarification and commentary this sentence may also explain the supporting sentence

#2 sentence this sentence provides the reader with commentary and analysis this sentence shows the reader how the concrete details provided in the supporting sentence supports or proves the thesis

Concluding Sentence summarizes ideas in the paragraph restates thesis clearly states point of essay or speech

example I.Harry Potter is a courageous hero.

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174).

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details Transition into direct quotation

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron.

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support.

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack.

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands... and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320).

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands... and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320). Second Support—Concrete Details

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands... and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320). 1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets. 2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor, make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is.

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands... and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320). Second Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor, make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands... and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320). 1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets. 2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor, make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is. C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts Professor Dumbledore's plan of "'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing] Sirius!'" into action (396).

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands... and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320). Second Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor, make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts Professor Dumbledore's plan of "'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing] Sirius!'" into action (396). Third Support—Concrete Details

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands... and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320). 1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets. 2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor, make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is. C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts Professor Dumbledore's plan of "'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing] Sirius!'" into action (396). 1. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore know Sirius Black has been wrongly accused of murdering "thirteen people with a single curse" (38); however, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, believes Black guilty and plans on executing Black. 2. Harry's courage is unmistakable when he travels back in time several hours with Hermione, avoids making mistakes that would endanger his and Hermione's future selves, flies the hippogriff Buckbeak up to the seventh floor of Hogwarts castle, liberates Sirius Black from the office he is being held, and watches Buckbeak and Black fly off to safety.

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands... and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320). Second Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor, make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts Professor Dumbledore's plan of "'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing] Sirius!'" into action (396). Third Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore know Sirius Black has been wrongly accused of murdering "thirteen people with a single curse" (38); however, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, believes Black guilty and plans on executing Black. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Harry's courage is unmistakable when he travels back in time several hours with Hermione, avoids making mistakes that would endanger his and Hermione's future selves, flies the hippogriff Buckbeak up to the seventh floor of Hogwarts castle, liberates Sirius Black from the office he is being held, and watches Buckbeak and Black fly off to safety. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands... and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320). 1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets. 2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor, make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is. C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts Professor Dumbledore's plan of "'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing] Sirius!'" into action (396). 1. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore know Sirius Black has been wrongly accused of murdering "thirteen people with a single curse" (38); however, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, believes Black guilty and plans on executing Black. 2. Harry's courage is unmistakable when he travels back in time several hours with Hermione, avoids making mistakes that would endanger his and Hermione's future selves, flies the hippogriff Buckbeak up to the seventh floor of Hogwarts castle, liberates Sirius Black from the office he is being held, and watches Buckbeak and Black fly off to safety. D. Harry Potter's concern for others, bravery, and courage allow him to save Hermione Granger from the troll, rescue Ginny Weasley from Tom Riddle and the basilisk, and rescue Sirius Black from the Dementors, making Potter the hero of J. K. Rowling's series.

example I. Harry Potter is a courageous hero. Topic Sentence A. Potter’s courage is evident in Sorcerer’s Stone when “He took a great running jump and managed to fasten his arms around the troll’s neck from behind” (Rowling 176) in order to save Hermione Granger, a fellow Gryffindor, from the twelve foot "granite gray" troll (174). First Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry and his best friend Ron Weasley are unable to persuade the terror stricken Hermione to move and the troll is moving toward Ron. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Without Harry's courageous and heroic "great running jump" forcing his wand up the troll's nose, distracting the troll and enabling Ron to perform a spell which knocks the troll unconscious, the trio would never have survived the troll's attack. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis B. Harry Potter's courage is also evident in The Chamber of Secrets when fighting the basilisk he "raised the sword [of Gryffindor] in both his hands... and drove it to the hilt into the roof of the serpent's mouth" (320). Second Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry must save himself and Ginny Weasley, his friend Ron's little sister, from a young Tom Riddle and the basilisk with its "murderous stare" (290), that lives in The Chamber of Secrets. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Harry's "daring, nerve, and chivalry" (Sorcerer's Stone 118), a trademark of a true Gryffindor, make it possible for him to pull the sword of Godric Gryffindor from the Sorting Hat, kill the basilisk, and save Ginny like the courageous hero he is. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis C. In The Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter illustrates his courage when he puts Professor Dumbledore's plan of "'fly[ing] Buckbeak up to the window and rescu[ing] Sirius!'" into action (396). Third Support—Concrete Details 1. Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Professor Dumbledore know Sirius Black has been wrongly accused of murdering "thirteen people with a single curse" (38); however, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, believes Black guilty and plans on executing Black. Clarification, Commentary, Explanation of Support 2. Harry's courage is unmistakable when he travels back in time several hours with Hermione, avoids making mistakes that would endanger his and Hermione's future selves, flies the hippogriff Buckbeak up to the seventh floor of Hogwarts castle, liberates Sirius Black from the office he is being held, and watches Buckbeak and Black fly off to safety. Commentary, Analysis, Show the reader how the concrete details supports or proves the thesis D. Harry Potter's concern for others, bravery, and courage allow him to save Hermione Granger from the troll, rescue Ginny Weasley from Tom Riddle and the basilisk, and rescue Sirius Black from the Dementors, making Potter the hero of J. K. Rowling's series. Concluding Sentence