The key components to a well developed paragraph! Paragraph Pieces! The key components to a well developed paragraph!

The topic sentence TS: Topic Sentence Here, you identify the essential proposition you intend to prove. Topic sentence needs to support your thesis statement. Topic sentence is an opinion statement, not a quote or fact.

Context CX: The “Context” comes first because it is necessary to give your reader contextual background information prior to giving evidence. Context sets the reader up to understand the concrete details.

Concrete Details CD: Concrete Detail This is evidence to support your proposition…this is your proof. The “Concrete Detail” is specific, often word-for-word evidence illustrating evidence of your proof. Can appear as quotes (cited properly) or paraphrased information. BE SPECIFIC!

The Commentary Cm: Commentary This is where your critical thinking emerges. I tend to thinking of it in three segments: Review: What did your CD just state? You may need to explain or interpret what it the evidence is saying. Connect: Tie your CD to your TS… how does your evidence prove your point? Extend: What is the broader significance of your point and your evidence? Answer “so what?”