Paragraph Organization The SIEL Method

Key to Idea Organization S = State it! I = Illustrate it! E = Explain it! L = Link it!

S = State it! Stating it! means 1) giving your reader the main idea of the paragraph, and/or 2) answering the prompt. Example prompt: Analyze what characteristics are required to be a hero based on Rikki-tikki’s behavior in “Rikki-tikki-tavi.” In “Rikki-tikki-tavi” Rikki proves that in order to be a hero, one must have courage, intelligence, prowess, and righteousness.

I = Illustrate it! To illustrate your point or idea, you must give examples from the text to support your point of view. Example: Rikki-tikki clearly shows that one must have courage to be a hero. For example at the end of the story, Rikki follows Nagina into her hole. The narrator tells us that “very few mongooses, however wise and old they may be, care to follow a cobra into its hole” (27). Using “for example” is a great way to include transitions!!!!!

Our paragraph so far…. In “Rikki-tikki-tavi” Rikki proves that in order to be a hero, one must have courage, intelligence, prowess, and righteousness. Rikki-tikki clearly shows that one must have courage to be a hero. For example at the end of the story, Rikki follows Nagina into her hole. The narrator tells us that “very few mongooses, however wise and old they may be, care to follow a cobra into its hole” (27). So we have our State it! and our Illustrate it! Let’s move onto our longest and trickiest part….

E = Explain it! In the explanation part, you must explain to your reader how the quote (Illustrate it!) proves your idea (State it!). This should be twice as long as your Illustrate it!. Example: This quote shows that even if a mongoose is smart and has the experience of a lifetime, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will follow a cobra into it’s hole. It take something more than wisdom or experience; it takes courage. This point is proven when Rikki’s trip down the cobra’s hole ends with his triumph.

L = Link it! Now Link it! is the very last part of your answer or paragraph. So you must decide…are you finished, or do you need to include more examples? The answer is in your prompt and your State it!

Look at your State it! Your State it! said: In “Rikki-tikki-tavi” Rikki proves that in order to be a hero, one must have courage, intelligence, prowess, and righteousness. Are you done? Have you given examples and explanation for intelligence? Prowess? Righteousness? If not…go back to State it!

Your paragraph so far… In “Rikki-tikki-tavi” Rikki proves that in order to be a hero, one must have courage, intelligence, prowess, and righteousness. Rikki-tikki clearly shows that one must have courage to be a hero. For example at the end of the story, Rikki follows Nagina into her hole. The narrator tells us that “very few mongooses, however wise and old they may be, care to follow a cobra into its hole” (27). This quote shows that even if a mongoose is smart and has the experience of a lifetime, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it will follow a cobra into it’s hole. It take something more than wisdom or experience; it takes courage. This point is proven when Rikki’s trip down the cobra’s hole ends with his triumph. Another characteristic a hero must have is intelligence. For example, Rikki-tikki is smart because he thinks before he acts. When he is about to attack Nag, he tells himself he must bite “the head above the hood; and when I am once there, I must not let go” (22). What comes next? Can you complete the next part of your own? (Hint: The next part is green!!!)

Helpful Hint Whether you are proving one characteristic or four, you need to be sure to always include as many examples as possible. If you are proving four characteristics, you need at least one example for each. If you are proving one characteristic, it is always a good idea to give your readers at least three or four examples (illustrations) of that characteristic!!!

Lastly…Link it! When you have completed all the necessary State it!, Illustrate it!, and Explain it!, then you need to link your paragraph back to the main idea. Example: All of the passages above from “Rikki-tikki-tavi” prove that according to Rikki’s behavior, one must possess the qualities of courage, intelligence, prowess, and righteousness to be a hero.