Organization 101 Deyanira Caceres – Graduate Writing Consultant

Introductions Body Paragraphs Conclusions Transitions Integrating Evidence What we will talk about today:

Introductions Follow an “upside down” organizational structure Start with the “General” topic and end with your THESIS STATEMENT From the general, get more and more specific with every sentence General Specific

Introduction Example Apples are a great source of nutrition for the human body. Green apples specifically carry higher levels of vitamins and minerals. The skin of green apples has been known to provide advantages such as fiber and vitamin A. Current research trends suggest that potassium may be an added bonus for consumers of green apples. Based on this research, I argue that the skin of green apples has the most potassium of any apple variety. Based on this finding, nutritionists shall promote this fruit for potassium deficient individuals.

Introduction Example Apples are a great source of nutrition for the human body. Green apples specifically carry higher levels of vitamins and minerals. The skin of green apples has been known to provide advantages such as fiber and vitamin A. Current research trends suggest that potassium may be an added bonus for consumers of green apples. Based on this research, I argue that the skin of green apples has the most potassium of any apply variety. Based on this finding, nutritionists shall promote this fruit for potassium deficient individuals.

Body Paragraphs STRONG TOPIC SENTENCE Give the main idea of paragraph Include a transition between the main idea of the last paragraph and the current one. 2. EVIDENCE INTRO AND SETUP Provide any context or background information needed to understand the upcoming evidence

Body Paragraphs 3. EVIDENCE Hard facts found from research   3. EVIDENCE Hard facts found from research Use in the form of quotes, paraphrasing or summarizing Make sure to CITE here! 4. ANALYSIS Provide interpretations and analytical points that find the deeper meaning beyond the surface. This is probably the most important part of your paragraph.

Body Paragraphs 5. CONNECTIONS Connect this paragraph to the whole paper Help the reader understand your thinking process. Why did you write this paragraph? Prove your main thesis statement. How does it fit with the whole paper?

Conclusions In terms of structure, conclusions go from specific to general (the opposite of Introductions!). The Dos Start with recapping your thesis statement Larger Context: How does your thesis comment on the larger themes in your study? Larger Themes: Identify ways your thesis connects to the larger themes of your subject Consider the “so what” question Specific General

Conclusions The Do Nots for Conclusions Do not merely repeat the ideas of your paper Do not provide evidence, especially in the form of quotes. Do not just rephrase your introduction Do not introduce a brand new idea Do not add your own biased opinions Do not add broad generalizations Do not forget to write a conclusion!

Transitions between Sections There are two kinds of Transitions: 1. Between paragraphs or sections 2. Between smaller ideas or sentences. Transitions between Sections Require a clause or a full sentence; one key word is not enough! Identify the ways one set of ideas (the main idea from paragraph 2) connects to another (the main idea from paragraph 3). Ex. In addition to the nutritional content of an apple’s flesh, the skin provides necessary minerals and fiber.

Transitions between Sentences Place these transitions towards the beginnings of sentences. Here are some examples of effective one-word transitions: Examples: For agreements/additions/similarities one can use: - as well as, in the same way, similarly etc. For oppositions/limitations/contradictions one can use: - at the same time, while, besides etc. For cause/condition/purpose one can use: - in order to, granted, given that etc. For examples/support/emphasis one can use: - with this in mind, for this reason, in this case

Integrating Evidence Evidence comes in the form of quotes, paraphrases, and summaries. They should all be used to support a statement that one is trying to get across to the reader.   Quote: “When seen at all, mothers are presented without a hint of ethnicity, regional affiliation, color, or economics” (Smith 424). Paraphrase: If they appear, mother characters in Disney movies are given no identifying markers of race, class or location (Smith 424). Summary: Disney movies promote stereotypical views of marginalized groups when they use accents as a shortcut to characterization (Smith 424).

The Quote Sandwich 1) Introduction of the quote To integrate quotes in your paper use a three-step process:    1) Introduction of the quote 2) Add the quote and its citation 3) Explain the quote This three-part structure is called a “quote sandwich” because the quote is “sandwiched” between an intro and an explanation. Make sure to include both pieces of bread and the meat of your idea!

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