Paragraph and Paper Planning: Using a Writing Blueprint Created and Offered by Student Support Services at Troy University (Main Campus)

Workshop Objectives Teach participating students to follow a basic paragraph blueprint (template). Teach students a basic essay blueprint. Help students expand paragraphs and retain the focus of their paragraphs. Teach students the persuasive power of evidence. Provide students a practice exercise. Provide students with supplemental study materials.

A Blueprint? Definitions: A model A construction guide A detailed plan of action A Writing Blueprint is a Writing Model, Guide, Plan of Action or system. Writing is a construction activity.

Why Use a Blueprint? Unity: All sentences in paragraph and essay refer to the main idea, topic and thesis. Coherence: Sentences and paragraphs are logically organized and follow a definite plan of development. Development: Every idea in the paragraph or essay is explained and supported through evidence and examples. A Blueprint helps writers stay on task as writers strive for...

A Basic Paragraph Blueprint I.Topic Sentence I.Supporting sentence 1 -- Supporting evidence 1 Supporting sentence 2 -- Supporting evidence 2 Supporting sentence 3 -- Supporting evidence 3 III. Concluding sentence

Basic Parts of a Paragraph Topic Sentence – General statement of paragraph’s main idea. It is not the thesis. Supporting statement – More specific statement that puts a burden of proof on the writer Supporting details or examples – Evidence which satisfies the burden of proof Concluding Sentence – a restatement of the topic sentence

An Essay Blueprint Three Essay Parts I. Introduction – starts broadly, usually with a topic sentence. Narrows to the thesis statement. II. Body– Explores and details the thesis. Each body paragraph needs a topic sentence that is related to the thesis. III. Conclusion – Restates the thesis. May summarize body paragraphs contents.

Part 1: Essay Introduction Introduction includes: A General Topic Sentence Clarification of topic sentence with a few other supporting sentences. Thesis sentence = Your Opinion of the Topic

Example of... A General Thesis Statement Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird should be a required reading for high school students. A Blueprinted Thesis Statement (indicate what body paragraph topic sentences are about) Certainly, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird should be required reading for high school students interested in literature, forensic speech, history or social sciences. (The reader may then expects the writer to discuss how students interested in each subject can benefit from reading the novel.)

Part 2: Essay Body Supply a topic sentence for Each Body Paragraph in the Essay. Topic sentences should relate to your Thesis sentence. Transition words help establish reading order and show logical connections. Evidence appeals to an audience by adding credibility and persuasive power to the writing.

Example of... A Topic Sentence for a Body Paragraph (Remember to Indent First Sentences of Paragraphs.) Student Support Services (SSS), a Federal TRIO program, helps participating college students achieve their academic goals through its offering of academic tutoring.

Example of... (1) Supporting Sentence, (2) Detail, and (3) Example With (4) Transitions... SSS participants may request academic tutoring for general studies English, mathematics and science. Moreover, SSS offers basic study skills and basic computer applications tutorials. After learning in SSS to use the Microsoft PowerPoint computer application, one Troy University participant designed his first-ever PowerPoint presentation for one of his general studies course. Thereafter, he made an outstanding presentation to his class.

Part 2: Essay Conclusion Conclusion (usually) includes: The Restated (differently worded) Thesis may start the conclusion. Statements related to essay’s main points may be appropriate. A memorable ending. An Evaluative statement may be appropriate

Supplemental Material Take a few minutes to study the supplemental materials packet that accompanies this presentation. (Paragraph Construction; Essay Blueprinting; Evidence and Thesis Blueprinting) Ask staff for clarification, if necessary. Please continue to next slide.

Practice Exercises Complete practice exercise 1 – Identifying Paragraph parts. See Handouts – Evidence page – At bottom of handout, read and complete writing activity. Write on Paragraph outline sheet and turn in Paragraph to SSS staff.

Presentation developed by: Rebecca C. Money, English/Reading Specialist Student Support Services; Shackleford Hall Annex; Troy University; Troy, AL Phone: ; PPT dev: 2007/01-04 Program Coordinator: Buffie M. Edwards Troy University Troy, Alabama Student Support Services Center for Student Success 109 Shackelford Hall Annex Troy University; Troy, AL Phone:

Conclusion... SSS hopes this presentation has given you some useful information. Feel free to suggest any other topics that you would like to see presented. Stop in the Office located in 109 Shackelford Hall Annex or Phone: Have a great learning experience here at Troy University.