A strategy for shaping paragraphs and essays Ms. Geller’s Class Fall 2013

  TS: Topic Sentence : This one sentence introduces the topic of the body paragraph. It is the first sentence in a body paragraph.  CD: Concrete Detail : a fact, reference, or source that supports the main topic of the body paragraph.  CM: Commentary : This is your opinion, point of view, or explanation as to why the CD is important to the main topic of the paragraph and essay. Body Paragraph Terms

  CS: Concluding Sentence: One sentence that wraps or sums up the topic of the body paragraph and transitions into the next paragraph.  Chunk: consists of 1 CD and 2 CM. You will have multiple chunks in one paragraph. Body Paragraph Continued

 Example of Shaping Template TS: CD: CM: (This shows that…) CM: (This also shows that…) (This is important because…) (This is because) CS:(As a result…)

  In Homer’s Odyssey, Odysseus is a strong leader even in the most difficult circumstances (TS). When the Cyclops eats two of his men, Odysseus does not panic; instead, he cleverly offers the hungry Cyclops a bowl of strong wine (CD). He must have been horrified and disgusted by the Cyclops’s actions, but he was able to control his emotions and think quickly. This shows that, as a soldier, he knew he had to be prepared for anything (CM). A true leader must be strong enough to prepare for the worst, even while hoping for the best (CS). Example

Griffin 1 Peter Griffin Ms. Geller 9 th Lit/Comp 19 August 2013 Title of Piece Indent each paragraph. Use 12-point Times New Roman font. Double space. Use one inch margins. If writing by hand, use one side of the paper only.

 Tasks for Part I of the Odyssey Movie Use the Shaffer method to write a paragraph in response to the following question: Which plays a bigger role in preventing Odysseus from returning home on time—his own hubris (pride/arrogance), or his crewmen’s weakness and impulsivity?