WHAT IS MEL-Con? An Overview

So, why the MEL-CON Paragraph? It will help you with… ORGANIZATION USE OF TRANSITIONS DEVELOPED IDEAS ACCURATE AND VALID EVIDENCE/SUPPORTING DETAILS You will become a BETTER writer!

M= MAIN IDEA (answers the question posed/ takes position) E= EVIDENCE/EXAMPLE (support for position from sources) L= LINK (links the evidence back to main idea) Con= CONCLUDING STATEMENT (summarizes points and restates position)

Phil Pusateri The kids of the 1990's are definitely smarter than the kids of the 1950's. The first statistic to support this idea is a chart created by the U.S. Department of Education which shows ACT scores of kids in 1959 and in 1999. The average score in 1959 was 18.6 and in 1999 it was 21.2. This statistic clearly shows an increase in standard test scores. The ACT is a good measure of a student's capabilities and the increase of scores between 1959 and 1999 of 2.2 means the kids in 1999 know more on the same exact test. Another statistic that supports this statement is also from the same chart. The chart shows that over 80% of all females now attend college in 1999. In 1959, less than 40% went to college. This means that overall, more kids total are going to college. Because more are going, it only makes sense that overall kids in 1999 are smarter than in 1959. More of them are getting an education. Yet another example that shows kids are smarter is the fact that the high school dropout rate in 1999 is 16% lower than in 1959. The chart shows that more kids are finishing school instead of working or having children. This information is another indication that kids are smarter. When more kids are going to school in 1999 for more time, it can only mean that they would have more education. The extra time has to mean that they will automatically be smarter from more exposure. There is no question then that kids in 1999 are much smarter than kids in 1959 because they have higher ACT scores, more girls are going to college, and the high school dropout rate has declined.

Respond to one of the following to practice the MEL-CON paragraph style: What are your goals for Language 9? What is your favorite hobby? What is your worst fear? What really ticks you off? Who has been the most influential person in your life and why? Who is your best friend and why?