1. Connecting Reading-Thinking-Writing
R-T-W Project
Connecting Reading-Thinking-Writing

2. Building a Strong Paragraph

3. Critically Read Your Source(s)
Check for Headings/Subheadings (this is the author helping you with main ideas)
While you are reading, list important ideas from the source(s)

4. Critically think about and choose the three most important ideas from your list
Write the three most important ideas as phrases: 1. 2. 3.

5. Create one topic sentence that captures the three main ideas.
Consider using a complex sentence, using connecting words like “even though”, “as a result of”, “which” or other connecting words listed on the Essay Writing Guide.

6. Create a CER for each main idea
Claim=simple sentence of a main idea
Evidence=a quote from a source that supports or explains the main idea
Rationale=elaboration of the quote, often using more information from the source

7. CER #1 Claim (main idea #1 in a simple sentence)
Evidence (a quote supporting main idea #1)
Rationale (elaboration of the quote, possibly giving more information from the source

8. CER#2 Claim (main idea #2 in a simple sentence)
Evidence (a quote supporting main idea #2)
Rationale (elaboration of the quote, possibly giving more information from the source

9. CER#3 Claim (main idea #3 in a simple sentence)
Evidence (a quote supporting main idea #3)
Rationale (elaboration of the quote, possibly giving more information from the source

10. Concluding Sentence
Restate your topic sentence

11. The Paragraph Cut and paste
your topic sentence,
CER #1,
CER #2,
CER #3,
your concluding sentence.
Add transitions (you can add “First” before your first CER, “Second” before your second CER, and “Third” before your third CER.