1. Writing the body paragraphs
Literary Analysis

2. the structures of an essay and a paragraph are parallel
Introduction/
Thesis Statement
Topic Sentence/ Main Idea
Body
Evidence and Analysis
Conclusion
Link/Transition to Next Paragraph

3. M-Main Assertion E-Evidence A-Analysis L-Link to Main Assertion
Meal plan for writing
M-Main Assertion E-Evidence A-Analysis L-Link to Main Assertion

4. Main idea
Just as an effective essay focuses on one main idea (the thesis statement), an effective paragraph should also focus on one main idea (the topic sentence).
The writer should locate the topic sentence for each paragraph (usually the first sentence) and then, paragraph by paragraph, verify that each topic sentence accurately and effectively describes and emphasizes the main idea that is supported and analyzed in that paragraph.

5. evidence
Just as an effective essay provides evidence to support the main idea, an effective paragraph should also provide evidence to support the main idea or claim.
The writer’s topic sentence is typically a claim related to the thesis statement; therefore, each topic should be supported by relevant and credible evidence.
Evidence typically includes summaries, paraphrases, quotations, definitions, and examples from primary and secondary sources.
Be sure to verify that relevant, credible evidence is presented to support the claim.

6. analysis
Just as an effective essay provides analysis to explain and connect the evidence to the thesis, an effective paragraph should also provide analysis to explain and connect the evidence to the topic sentence or claim.
Evidence alone does not speak for the writer. Evidence is not analysis.
Analysis is the writer’s perspective on the evidence that may not be immediately evident to the audience.
If the writer expects the audience to be persuaded or convinced, to recognize the connections and relationships between the writer’s claims and the evidence, then the writer should verify that the analysis is present and is revised to accurately explain how the evidence should be interpreted and how that evidence is connected to the paragraph’s main idea.

7. link
Just as an essay ends with a conclusion that links all of its main points, a paragraph should close by linking the topic sentence to the main idea in the next paragraph.
The writer should verify that each paragraph’s conclusion is revised to link the current paragraph’s main idea to the next paragraph’s main idea.
This foreshadowing prepares the audience for the next main idea and for what might be expected from the writer’s research.

8. Main assertion

9. Sample Topic Sentences
Guy Montag’s entire life was turned upside down the moment he met Clarisse McClellan.
The first seeds of doubt in his job and life were planted in Montag’s mind following his encounter with Clarisse after work one evening.
Throughout his ten years as a firefighter, Montag had accumulated quite the hidden library in his house.
One of the less obvious ways that Clarisse changed Montag was in the way he viewed his wife, Mildred.
Although equally important as the development of Montag, the development of Mildred was accomplished by Clarisse in a very different manner.
As the cornerstone for the whole novel Clarisse’s thoughts and beliefs are introduced almost immediately.

10. Sample Topic Sentences
The novel opens with a description of Montag and his job as a fireman.
Montag begins his transition from stern fireman to caring book lover when he meets his neighbor, Clarisse.
Montag remains cool and collective on the outside as he deals with conflicting thoughts on the inside.
Montag’s character transformation is slowed because the process is only safe internally.
Montag becomes fundamentally different from the population.
Later, Montag faces a much more difficult decision. He must choose between abandoning his mission to do what is right, or to murder his boss.
Somehow avoiding the massive manhunt that ensued, Montag meets up with several other outcasts by society’s standards.

11. M-Main Assertion E-Evidence A-Analysis L-Link to Main Assertion
Meal plan for writing
M-Main Assertion E-Evidence A-Analysis L-Link to Main Assertion

12. Example #1
(A) Perhaps the largest symbol within Fahrenheit 451 is the symbol of fire. (B)The use of fire as a symbol in literature is generally one of a few things. (C) Commonly, fire symbolizes destruction and disaster which happens to be a key component of this novel. (D) The symbolism of fire being such a destructive force is described by Montag, the main protagonist, as he recalls, “…he flicked the igniter and the house jumped up in a gorging fire that burned the evening sky red and yellow and black”(1). (E) When fire is left to have a will of its own, or when someone reckless or with the intent of spreading the destruction is left with fire then fire is going to do what it does naturally: burn. (F) As the book progresses, the reader begins to understand that absolutely no one is safe from the destruction of the flames. (G) Whether it be a woman who had done nothing wrong but love books, or a firefighter that strayed down the path that society deemed “wrong”, everyone was subjected to the flames that have ruined so many lives before. This is, of course, only one way that the fire was conceived.

13. Example #2
(A) The novel opens with a description of Montag and his job as a fireman. (B) His only task at work is to burn the printed books left in the futuristic world. Montag is passionate about his work. When burning books, “[he] grin[s] the fierce grin of all men singed and driven back by flame” (2). (C) In the beginning, Montag is just like everyone else. He works a seemingly normal job, and goes home to his wife at the end of the day. (D) Montag possesses all the traits of normality in his society. (E) Montag is one of the many conformers in his society. (F) He looks and, more importantly, thinks like everyone else. (G) The other firemen were even “mirror images of himself” (30). The opening passage, if nothing else, serves as a comparison point for Montag. (H) Montag changes drastically over the course of the novel. When the new Montag is juxtaposed to his former self, the character changes are easy to see.

14. Body Paragraph Format
(A)Transitional word/phrase/idea plus a topic sentence about the first point you want to make about your thesis
(B,C,D,E,F,G) Detail/support/example showing what you mean by the topic sentence or proving your assertion/analysis in your topic sentence
(H) Closing sentence: Reflection back on how that example or source proved your point