P.E.A. PARAGRAPHS

P OINT -E VIDENCE -A NALYSIS The Point-Evidence-Analysis Paragraph is a simple paragraph structure that can be used for any type of writing. It consists of three parts:

A P OINT Your “point” should be an argument, something that needs to be supported or illustrated with specific evidence or details. Your point should be directly related to your document’s overall thesis statement or purpose.

S OME E VIDENCE Following the point, there should be immediate evidence to illustrate or defend the point you just stated. In this case, evidence is quoted or paraphrased material from your sources

T HE A NALYSIS Following your evidence, you need to provide some sort of insight or further discussion of your ideas and how they support your thesis statement. direct connection You need to establish a direct connection between your paragraph and your thesis statement.

POINT Today, Americans are too self-centered. Even our families don’t matter as much anymore as they once did Today, Americans are too self-centered. Even our families don’t matter as much anymore as they once did. Other people and activities take precedence, as James Gleick says in his book Faster, “We are consumers on the run…the very notion of the family meal as a sit down occasion is vanishing. Adults and children alike eat…on the way to their next activity” (148). Sit down meals are a time to share and connect with others; however’ that connections has become less valued, as families begin to prize individual activities over shared time, promoting self- centeredness over group identity.

EVIDENCE Other people and activities take precedence, as James Gleick says in his book Faster: “We are consumers on the run…the very notion of the family meal as a sit down occasion is vanishing. Adults and children alike eat…on the way to their next activity” (148). Today, Americans are too self-centered. Even our families don’t matter as much anymore as they once did. Other people and activities take precedence, as James Gleick says in his book Faster: “We are consumers on the run…the very notion of the family meal as a sit down occasion is vanishing. Adults and children alike eat…on the way to their next activity” (148). Sit down meals are a time to share and connect with others; however’ that connections has become less valued, as families begin to prize individual activities over shared time, promoting self- centeredness over group identity.

ANALYSIS ). Sit down meals are a time to share and connect with others; however, that connection has become less valued, as families begin to prize individual activities over shared time, promoting self- centeredness over group identity. Today, Americans are too self-centered. Even our families don’t matter as much anymore as they once did. Other people and activities take precedence, as James Gleick says in his book Faster, “We are consumers on the run…the very notion of the family meal as a sit down occasion is vanishing. Adults and children alike eat…on the way to their next activity” (148). Sit down meals are a time to share and connect with others; however, that connection has become less valued, as families begin to prize individual activities over shared time, promoting self- centeredness over group identity.

C OLOR C ODE Pink is used for both the topic sentences and the thesis statement of a longer paper. Pink is used for a topic sentence alone. Green—the ground we stand on. This is your evidence. Yellow—the light. This sheds the light on your evidence by explaining it. Pink is in SyncGreen and Yellow

P RACTICE 1 Point: Joe has a crush on Beth. Evidence: He said she’s awesome. He blushes when he’s near her and he talks about her all the time. He flirts with her. Analysis: Analysis: These actions are usually indicative of someone who’s got a crush on someone else.

P RACTICE Point: Jim cheated on the math test. Evidence:Analysis:

P RACTICE Point: In The Lord of the Flies, Golding uses the conch to symbolize civilization and order. Evidence: Piggy gets the conch and says, “I got the conch, I got the right to speak.” The boys immediately became quiet and listened to him. Analysis: The conch causes the boys to follow the rule that only one person will speak at a time. Since civilization is based on rules, the conch stands for civilization.

E VIDENCE However, scientists have found that the earth has warmed only one degree over the past century (Caruba). Scientists argue that these holes may be a natural occurrence (Caruba). The EPA reports that since 1970, air quality has steadily improved (”The Environment”). Environmentalists have over exaggerated global warming. With the drastic number of fires, floods, tornado, and droughts, they are quick to blame the rising temperatures on pollution. However, scientists have found that the earth has warmed only one degree over the past century (Caruba). A century ago there were not the automobiles and factories there are today, so perhaps pollution is not the cause. So if pollution is not contributing to global warming, then what is? Scientists have known about hole in the protective ozone layer for decades. Environmentalists blame the hole on pollution. The hole then admits harmful UV rays. This then causes global warming. Scientists argue that these holes may be a natural occurrence (Caruba). They are supposed to happen, just like leaves falling off the trees in autumn. In fact, pollution and the depletion of the ozone layer seem to have little effect on our air. The EPA reports that since 1970, air quality has steadily improved (”The Environment”). Obviously, the environmentalists are not looking at scientific fact when it comes to global warming.

A NALYSIS A century ago there were not the automobiles and factories there are today, so perhaps pollution is not the cause. They are supposed to happen, just like leaves falling off the trees in autumn. Obviously, the environmentalists are not looking at scientific fact when it comes to global warming. Environmentalists have over exaggerated global warming. With the drastic number of fires, floods, tornado, and droughts, they are quick to blame the rising temperatures on pollution. However, scientists have found that the earth has warmed only one degree over the past century (Caruba). A century ago there were not the automobiles and factories there are today, so perhaps pollution is not the cause. So if pollution is not contributing to global warming, then what is? Scientists have known about hole in the protective ozone layer for decades. Environmentalists blame the hole on pollution. The hole then admits harmful UV rays. This then causes global warming. Scientists argue that these holes may be a natural occurrence (Caruba). They are supposed to happen, just like leaves falling off the trees in autumn. In fact, pollution and the depletion of the ozone layer seem to have little effect on our air. The EPA reports that since 1970, air quality has steadily improved (”The Environment”). Obviously, the environmentalists are not looking at scientific fact when it comes to global warming.