1. Introduction to Essay Writing
Body Paragraphs and
Quote Sandwiches

2. Learning Target:
I can write a body paragraph that supports my topic sentence using strong details and commentary.

3. Essential Question:
What needs to be in a body paragraph to support my topic sentence?

4. A body paragraph contains these types of sentences:
Topic Sentence: What the paragraph is about/What is being “argued”.
Concrete Detail:
Textual evidence or example: a fact, quote, or info. that supports your topic sentence.
Commentary or explanation:
Inference or analysis, explains why the concrete detail is important, what it means or how it supports your topic sentence. You can use more than one commentary sentence for each concrete detail.
Conclusion Sentence:
Should sum up the main idea of the paragraph. It should not repeat your topic sentence, but describe how the evidence and analysis proves your topic sentence.

5. Textual example or evidence:
1. Topic Sentence:
The character of the boss, in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, is a strict but generous man.
Textual example or evidence:
Use an example from the story that you can use to support what you think Salvador’s personality is.
Inference:
What does the textual evidence mean? What does it reveal or help us understand about Salvador’s character?
Concrete detail
Commentary
Concrete detail
Commentary
Concrete detail
Commentary
8. Conclusion Sentence:
Write a few sentences explaining how the characterization (The boss’s personality), textual examples and inferences help communicate the theme of the short story, Of Mice and Men. Be sure to actually state the theme of the story.

6. A good body paragraph contains:
Topic Sentence:
Concrete Detail:
Commentary:
Conclusion Sentence:

7. Example paragraph:
Topic Sentence: The character of the boss, in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, is a strict but generous man.
Concrete Detail: “He sure was burned when you wasn’t here this morning” (Steinbeck 19).
Commentary: This shows he gets upset when George and Lennie are late.
Concrete Detail: “But don’t you try to put nothing over, Milton. I got my eye on you” (Steinbeck 23).
Commentary: This is an example of him keeping a strict watch over his workers.
Concrete Detail: “Bring a gallon of whiskey right in here and says, ‘Drink hearty boys. Christmas comes but once a year’” (Steinbeck 20).
Commentary: His generosity is revealed when he gives expensive gifts to his workers on holidays.
Conclusion Sentence: This minor character shows that power can easily be used to help or harm the powerless.

8. Quote Sandwiches/Tortas
Introduce the quote: After George explains to the boss why he travels with Lennie, the boss says,
Write and cite the quote: “But don’t you try to put nothing over, Milton. I got my eye on you” (Steinbeck 23).
Analyze the quote: This is an example of him keeping a strict watch over his workers. Once he is suspicious of someone, he makes sure they don’t get away with anything.

9. Essay Practice Writing:
Choose one of the characters you have been dialectical journaling about.
Choose three quotes that reveal that character’s personality.
Using quote sandwiches, show how those quotes support your opinion of what that character is like.
Include a topic sentence and try to relate your character to a theme in the novel in your conclusion sentence.
Be ready to share out loud with your table group and turn it in at the start of next class.