Body Paragraphs

All body paragraphs are 8 sentences long. 1. Topic Sentence: tells reader what your paragraph will be about; answers the prompt 2. Evidence #1 (TLQ): a quote that proves that the topic sentence is correct 3. Explanation explains how Evidence #1 4. Explanation proves the topic sentence 5. Evidence #2 (TLQ): a quote that proves that the topic sentence is correct 6. Explanation explains how Evidence #2 7. Explanation proves topic sentence 8. Concluding Sentence: restates the topic sentence in different words

TLQ: T stands for TRANSITION For example, For instance, Another example is In addition, Moreover, Furthermore, Transitions should be used before any piece of evidence/quote.

TLQ: L stands for LEAD-IN Lead-ins give the reader information about the context of the quote. Reminds the reader what was happening in the story when the quote appears. For example, after the narrator teaches Doodle how to walk, he reflects, …

TLQ: Q stands for QUOTE Your evidence should be a quote—anything taken word-for-word from the text. It does not have to be dialogue, but it might be. The quote should prove your topic sentence. For example, after the narrator teaches Doodle how to walk, he reflects, “They did not know that I did it for myself, that pride, whose slave I was, spoke to me louder than all their voices, and that Doodle walked only because I was ashamed of having a crippled brother” (Hurst 3).

What follows a quote? Add two sentences of EXPLANATION that explain how the quote proves your topic sentence. This is your analysis. For example, after the narrator teaches Doodle how to walk, he reflects, “They did not know that I did it for myself, that pride, whose slave I was, spoke to me louder than all their voices, and that Doodle walked only because I was ashamed of having a crippled brother” (Hurst 3). This shows that the narrator’s motivation was selfish. This also shows that he understands that excessive pride was the cause of his selfishness.

Then do it again… Include a second quote (TLQ), followed by two sentences of explanation about how that quote proves your topic sentence. Finally, finish the paragraph with a concluding sentence that indicates that you have proven your topic sentence.

EXAMPLE PROMPT: What is the theme of “The Scarlet Ibis”? In “The Scarlet Ibis” author James Hurst demonstrates that too much pride can make people act selfishly. For example, after the narrator teaches Doodle how to walk, he reflects, “They did not know that I did it for myself, that pride, whose slave I was, spoke to me louder than all their voices, and that Doodle walked only because I was ashamed of having a crippled brother” (Hurst 3). This shows that the narrator’s motivation was selfish. This also shows that he understands that excessive pride was the cause of his selfishness. Another example of the narrator’s pride was when he designed a development program for Doodle and says, “Once I had succeeded in teaching Doodle to walk, I began to believe in my own infallibility” (Hurst 4). This shows that Doodle’s accomplishment has inflated the narrator’s sense of pride. This also shows that the narrator equates Doodle’s success with his own, thus paving the way for selfish actions. All in all, it is clear that this story is a warning that too much pride can make us act selfishly.