MEAL Paragraph M - main idea, topic sentence, answer E - evidence (quote or proof that your main idea is true) A - analysis (explanation of why the evidence proves your point) L - link/last idea (link/connection back to the main idea)

A MEAL paragraph is a format that helps guide you in your literary analysis writing. It is an acronym for: Main Idea, Evidence, Analysis, Link. A “well developed” paragraph means you ate your MEAL and you’re full and satisfied!

A universal theme from Aesop’s fable, Tortoise and the Hare, reveals a great lesson that I take solace in. Tortoise and the Hare teaches us that it is better to be slow, steady, and thorough above being fast, sloppy and arrogant. I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was nine years old. Although it took long hours of hard work and studying to catch up to my classmates, not only did I catch up, but I became a good student due to this mindset of resilience and grit. The tortoise works very hard to win the race and never gives up, while the hare could not pace himself and acted arrogant. I am not ashamed to be steadfast like the tortoise. Although the ‘hares’ in life can be intimidating, due to this universally known fable, I know that many people must struggle with taking their time accomplishing tasks due to all the harried “hares” in the world surrounding us. This moral helps me focus on my own growth in life. after sentence 2, “This fable relates to me personally because I was diagnosed with dyslexia when I was nine years old, and as a result, I had to work hard to catch up to my classmates. Although I spent many long hours of extra studying, not only did I catch up, but…”

Main Idea - the paragraph's central focus, what you are trying to prove within the paragraph. It let’s the reader get prepared for what your paragraph is going to be about in a general sense.

Evidence - examples that help prove the main idea (and, in a longer paper, the thesis). In an English paper, your evidence is generally made up of quotations from the text, paraphrasing (summarizing in fewer and different words) the text, or occasionally, using an anecdote from your own life experience.

Analysis - This section is the most important part of the paragraph; it is where you explain how and why the evidence proves your central focus/main idea. Last Thought/Linking Sentence - If you're just writing a paragraph, use this sentence to restate the Main Idea (in a different way!).

Evidence Needs Context Do not place a quotation alone as a sentence. Be sure to give some context that explains to the reader how/where the quotation fits into the story and why you have used this evidence to support the main idea. Give the quote background information.