Writing Strong Paragraphs The Significant Parts of an Essay

MLA Formatting Top Left: Writer’s full name Teacher’s name Class Date Suzie Jones Ms. Smith English I 4 November 2009

Top Right: Writer’s last name Page number Jones 1 Suzie Jones Ms. Smith English I 4 November 2009 HINT! Go to “insert page number” click “top of page” click “plain number 3” then type in your name in front of the number.

Title: Centered Creatively address topic and subject of essay Do not: bold, underline, italicize, or change size Jones 1 Suzie Jones Ms. Smith English I 4 November 2009 Title Goes Here

Type Double-space 12 point font Legible, standard font Times New Roman 1 inch margins Indent paragraphs Jones 1 Suzie Jones Ms. Smith English I 4 November 2009 Title Goes Here Here is my general statement about my topic. From here, I say some more stuff, then I funnel to the thesis statement. A topic sentence goes here. I support my arguments in this paragraph and I include analysis.

Elements of a Paragraph Topic Sentence Supporting Example(s) Closing Sentence

Topic Sentence Supporting Examples Conclusion will always establish topic of paragraph; provides reader with focus if within an essay – relates back to thesis statement if within an essay – transitions from previous paragraph

Each supports topic sentence and thesis Includes internal transitions leading from one example to the next Incorporates direct evidence from text in the form of a quotation Includes analysis of evidence Explains HOW direct evidence proves topic sentence and thesis Topic Sentence Supporting Example(s) Closing sentence

relates to topic sentence provides insight to the topic discussed if within a single paragraph If within an essay – relates back to thesis if within an essay – does not preview the next paragraph Topic Sentence Supporting Examples Closing Sentence

Examples of Topic Sentences Example Thesis Statement: In “The Most Dangerous Game” Connell portrays the suspenseful mood through the tropical night, Zaroff’s chateau, and the fight in the bedroom. Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 1: Using the image of the dark, tropical night, Richard Connell illustrates the suspenseful mood in the story. Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 2: In addition to the imagery of the tropical night, Connell’s description of Zaroff’s chateau also helps to emphasize the mood of suspense. Remember! Will always establish topic of paragraph; provides reader with focus if within an essay – relates back to thesis statement if within an essay – transitions from previous paragraph

Developing Examples Drawn from conclusions gained from text or story Come from the ideas generated from the reader Should not be repeated but distinctive

Incorporating Direct Evidence Borrowed from text Must be quoted exactly as is written Including punctuation Includes “lead-in” and analysis (more explanation to come!) Cite using parenthetical citations Author’s last name Page number

Examples of Direct Evidence & Citations While Rainsford is on the boat, he attempts “[…] to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness upon the yacht” (Connell 5). Citation using author’s name, page #

Context Provides necessary plot information so quotation makes sense Does not preview exact information from quotation; if it does, the quotation would be repetitive.

Lead-ins & Analysis Lead-ins Necessary to provide smooth transition Includes context If the quote is spoken in the text, the speaker must be identified. Examples: Zaroff says, “…quote goes here...”(author #). When Rainsford jumps from the ship, he is described as “…quote goes here...”(author #).

Analysis Final component for quote incorporation Offers an explanation of HOW quote supports topic sentence and connects to the thesis EXAMPLE: While Rainsford is on the boat, he attempts “[...] to peer through the dank tropical night that was palpable as it pressed its thick warm blackness upon the yacht” (Connell 5). The author’s use of the words “dank,” “palpable,” and “pressed” helps to emphasize the suffocation the characters feel. The word “dank” gives one a feeling of a heavy wetness, which would then weigh on the characters. Something that is “palpable” can be touched, and therefore, if the air is pressing on the characters, they would feel suffocated.

Analysis continued… On one side of Zaroff’s chateau, Connell describes the sea as “lick[ing] greedy lips in the shadows” (Connell 7). The personification of the sea helps to add suspense because it emphasizes that Rainsford’s only option is the chateau; both the jungle and the sea threaten death.

Closing Sentence Remember- relates to topic sentence provides insight to the topic discussed if within a single paragraph If within an essay – relates back to thesis if within an essay – does not preview the next paragraph Topic Sentence for Body Paragraph 1: Connell illustrates the suspenseful mood is illustrated through the image of the dark, tropical night. Closing Sentence for Body Paragraph 1: The feeling of suffocation as well as the inability to see through the night air helps to build the suspense of the story. Avoid: “In conclusion…” and “As you can see…”

Grammar & Style: Basic Checklist Present tense Third person Spell check Avoid excessive pronoun usage Use the apostrophe to mark possession  The author wants readers to reconsider how jealousy rules their lives.  Mme. Loisel borrowed Mme. Forestier’s necklace because she wanted to look good for her husband. She is a shallow person.  The teecher wantz stoodentz to be smart and use spehl check.

Do: Pay attention to sentence structure Vary sentence lengths Pay attention to comma placement and other punctuation Write complete sentences

Avoid: then now that it / thing very get or got positive / negative; good / bad starts to (as a phrase) As you can see, Overall, In Conclusion Utilize – implement “use” instead

Examples of Grammar NO-NOs Montresor then hides the trowel in the niche revealing that he is an insane planner of death. Fortunato then dies. Now, Montresor can be considered crazy. That is why in the short story “Cask of Amontillado,” Montresor is a dark, evil, and sinister man.

Find the errors! Montresser chained Fortianato to a wall then built a brick wall around him, and right before he sealed the wall he put the torch in the last brick hole so that the fire eats all of the oxygen and he suffocates. then that Montresser (sp) chained (vt) Fortianato (sp) to a wall then built (vt) a brick wall around him, and right before he sealed (vt) the wall, he (who?) put (vt) the torch in the last brick hole so that the fire eats all of the oxygen and he (who?) suffocates.