The Essay Mrs. Snyder Oct 17, 2017

Terminology for Parts of an Essay Introduction Thesis Body Paragraph Topic Sentence Concrete Detail Direct Quote Commentary Concluding Paragraph Concluding Sentence

Essay A piece of writing that gives your thoughts (commentary) about a subject All essays should be at least five paragraphs: introduction, body paragraphs, conclusion

Essay Form Layout Paragraph #1: Introductory Paragraph (40+ words) Paragraph #2: First Body Paragraph (100+ words) Paragraph #3: Second Body Paragraph (100+ words) Paragraph #4: Third Body Paragraph (100+ words) Paragraph #5: Concluding Paragraph (40+ words)

The Perfect Paragraph (Schaffer Method) TS= Topic Sentence: this is the main idea of your paragraph; what you are trying to prove or describe in your paragraph. In literary analysis, this will include the author, genre, and title of the text. CD= Concrete Detail: This is a specific example from the story that supports your topic sentence. This helps to prove that the topic is true. It usually starts with “For example” or “For instance”. DQ= Direct Quote: This is a quote taken from the story that directly supports your CD. It also helps prove your topic sentence. It MUST be integrated and cited properly using MLA in-text citation.

The Perfect Paragraph, continued CM x 2= Commentary: This is your analysis or explanation. Where you explain how the CD and the DQ prove your TS. You may bring up another example, but don’t use another quote! There should be two CMs in your paragraph. They should all connect to your TS. Commentary means your opinion, interpretation, insight, analysis, personal response, feeling, evaluation, explication, and reflections about a concrete detail in an essay. CS= Concluding Sentence: This statement must tie back to your TS and help readers know you have finished your paragraph.

Introduction The first paragraph in an essay It includes the thesis at the end

What is a thesis? A sentence with a subject and an opinion (also called commentary) A thesis provides the focus for your essay Thesis Sentences Example: California is the best state of all for a vacation. Example: Culver City High School is a wonderful place to go to school. Example: The best movie ever made is Star Wars: A New Hope.

Introduction Paragraph Sentence #1: all commentary. Starts with a theme or themes. “This is a book about….” Sentence #2: says more about sentence #1. This is all commentary. Sentence #3: the thesis. Starts with “In (name of work),….” This makes sense after sentences #1 and #2. There is no concrete detail in this paragraph.

Body Paragraph A middle paragraph in an essay. Develops a point you want to make in supporting your thesis.

Body Paragraph Format Sentence 1 TS Topic sentence Sentence 2 CD First sentence of concrete detail Sentence 3 DQ Direct Quote that supports sentence 2 Sentence 4 CM Commentary on sentence 2 and 3 Sentence 5 CM More commentary on sentence 2 and 3 Sentence 6 CS Concluding Sentence

Conclusion Paragraph The conclusion is the last paragraph in the essay.  It is all commentary.  It does not repeat key words from anywhere in the essay.  It gives a finished feeling to the paper.