Learning Goals: I can use organizational/formatting structures to develop my writing ideas. Two-Chunk Paragraph   I can cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

Schaffer Paragraph Notes

Topic Sentence (TS) Definition: A sentence that reveals what the content of the paragraph will address—the main idea. This is the FIRST SENTENCE of any paragraph. When responding to a prompt, you can restate part of the prompt as your TS. Example: In the article, “Story of My Life” by Helen Keller and the article “Circling Alaska in 176 Days” by Dan Koeppel, Helen Keller and Andrew Skurka, a long distance solo hiker, have very different exterior lives but are connected on many levels as both faced tremendous difficulties that changed their lives.

Context for TE Definition: A brief bit of background information/summary included before presenting a piece of evidence. Helps prepare your reader to understand the information you will be presenting from the text.

Text Evidence (TE) Definition: Facts, evidence, proof, quotations, or specific references from/to a text that help support the main idea of the paragraph. All paragraphs should have AT LEAST 2 TE. TE needs to be introduced with transitions. Example: For example, Helen Keller “didn’t know that words existed” before learning to communicate.

Transition Definition: A word or phrase that signals the writer is about to reveal a detail from a text that is not his or her own idea. Transitions help to make a paragraph flow more smoothly. Transitions are usually followed by a comma. Examples: For instance, for example, in addition, additionally, consequently, as a result, furthermore, etc.

Commentary (CM) A.K.A. explanation/analysis Definition: Interpretation, explanation, analysis, opinion, and/or support that EXPLAINS WHY THE TE IS IMPORTANT AND HOW IT CONNECTS TO THE MAIN IDEA. Your commentary is YOUR OWN THINKING. Example: Keller’s frustration with her own inability to understand the world imprisoned her. Not only did she battle to overcome her limitations because she could not hear, speak or see, but Keller also battled her physical environment, protesting things and people who initially stood in her way.

Concluding Sentence (CS) Definition: The sentence at the end of the paragraph that sums up what the paragraph has been about by rephrasing the TS. Final sentence—should be unique from TS. Example: These triumphant discoveries were founded in struggle and propelled both individuals to develop a greater sense of purpose in their lives.

Lesson Wrap Up: Uh…how am I going to use this??? I can use organizational/formatting structures to develop my writing ideas. Two-Chunk Paragraph I can cite the textual evidence that most strongly supports an analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn from the text.

Checklist Does the topic sentence provide background and a framework for what is discussed in the rest of the paragraph? Is background/context presented before the evidence is presented? Is the evidence introduced with a transition and signal phrase? Does the commentary include the opinions of the author? Do I have enough commentary (minimum of 2 sentences? Does everything in my paragraph connect to the main idea? Does the closing sentence provide a summary of the paragraph?