P.I.E. Paragraphs

P = Point What is the point or main idea of this paragraph? What claim is being made? Is it supporting the thesis? Often, the point is the TOPIC SENTENCE.

I = Information How is the point supported with specific data, examples, experiences, or other factual material? The information is the evidence used to support/develop the point.

E = Explanation What does the provided information mean? The explanation is the writer’s analysis, elaboration, evaluation of the point and information given, connecting the information with the point (topic sentence) and the thesis.

Example Paragraph (missing the Explanation) Thesis: College is not a waste of time and money. A college degree will give you a better chance at getting a job. For example, I work part-time at an office and the company was looking for a new graphics designer. My boss had me throw out all of the applicants who did not have college degrees. When my brother was applying for a position as an office assistant, he expected to get an interview because he had some experience working in an office. But he did not get an interview. His friend who had a college degree, despite not having much work experience, did get an interview.

Identify the PIE Point – underlined Information – in brackets [ ] Explanation – in parentheses ( ) Additional revisions – in bold

Example Paragraph Revised Thesis: College is not a waste of time and money. A college degree will give you a better chance at getting a job. [For example, I work part-time at an office and the company was looking for a new graphics designer. My boss had me throw out all of the applicants who did not have college degrees.] (This led me to conclude that a degree was essential.) [When my brother was applying for a position as an office assistant, he expected to get an interview because he had some experience working in an office. But he did not get an interview. His friend who had a college degree, despite not having much work experience, did get an interview.] (Even for an assistant position, many employers require a college degree because it shows a higher level of thinking that many people do not get with just work experience.)

Example Paragraph (missing the topic sentence and explanation) Thesis: The media has harmed the self-esteem of young girls by using sexist images. Some sexist commercials include those for Giggle Wiggle. For instance, in the Giggle Wiggle commercial, four people play the game—two boys and two girls. During the game, only the boys move the game pieces, shouting enthusiastically when they’ve made the right moves, while the girls, basically motionless, smile vacantly and watch the boys. At the end of the game, one of the boys wins and gleefully shouts, “I win! I win!” while clapping his hands. Only then does a girl jump up and speak her one line, “Oh wow!”

Example Paragraph Revised Thesis: The media has harmed the self-esteem of young girls by using sexist images. In many children's television commercials, girls rarely see images of themselves in active or winning situations. [In "What are TV Ads Selling to Children" John J. O'Connor claims that in these ads girls are portrayed as inferior to boys. Some of these commercials include those for Giggle Wiggle. For instance, in the Giggle Wiggle commercial, four people play the game—two boys and two girls. During the game, only the boys move the game pieces while shouting enthusiastically. The girls are basically motionless and smile vacantly and watch the boys. At the end of the game, one of the boys wins and gleefully shouts, "I win! I win!" while clapping his hands. Only then does a girl jump up and speak her one line, "Oh wow!“] (In this commercial, as in others, the girls were not the central characters but part of the support network for the winners, the boys. In fact, I never saw a girl win a game in any of the children's commercials I viewed. These subtle statements in commercials can lead a young girl to believe she is not as good as the boys.)

Writing Activity Look at your body paragraphs in an essay you are writing. Underline the Point, put the Information in brackets [ ], and put the Explanation in parentheses ( ). If your paragraphs are missing any of these things, rewrite the paragraphs to make sure they include all 3 things.