1. The Supported Opinion Paragraph (PEE Paragraph)

2. How To Write an SOP 1. General statement 2. Societal statement
3. Introduce the author and text
4. Thesis (main idea, answers the question)
5. Transition word
6. PEE #1 (Point-Example (quote)-Explanation)
7. Transition word
8. PEE #2 (Point-Example (quote)-Explanation)
9. Concluding sentence

3. Exemplar
Write a Supported Opinion Paragraph answering the following question:
“Which examples of irony are evident in “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl?”

4. General Statement This should be about the TOPIC
Should be GENERAL, meaning you do not mention the name of the text, the author or any of the characters
Example:
Irony is the use of words to indicate the opposite of the word’s meaning. There are three types of irony: dramatic, verbal and situational.

5. Societal Statement This is where you connect your topic to society
Do not use the word “society” in your statement
This should indicate to the reader why your topic is relevant, or how people are affected by your topic
Example:
Irony is usually used for humourous effect.

6. Thesis WHAT WHY This is where you give your opinion
You cannot merely state a fact. You must say what you think, and why.
You can answer “why?” with two or three reasons
Example:
The short story, “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Ronald Dahl, has many different examples of irony. Specifically, it has examples of situational, dramatic and verbal irony.
WHAT
WHY

7. Transition words
To improve your writing you need to make sure that your ideas stick together or have coherence and that the gap between ideas is bridged smoothly.
One way to do this is by using transitions - words or phrases or techniques that help bring two ideas together
Certain words help continue an idea, indicate a shift of thought or contrast, or sum up a conclusion.

8. Transition Words
For continuing a common line of reasoning:
To signal conclusion:
Consequently Furthermore Additionally In addition Moreover Because Besides that In the same way following this further Pursuing this further
Therefore
This
Hence
In final analysis
In conclusion
In final consideration
Indeed

9. Transition Words
Transitional chains, to use in separating sections of a paragraph which is arranged chronologically:
first... second... third... (don’t use)
generally... furthermore... Finally
in the first place... also... Lastly
in the first place... pursuing this further... Finally
to be sure... additionally... Lastly
basically... similarly... as well

10. Point – Evidence – Explanation (PEE)
1 sentence; directly from your thesis
Evidence
Quotation taken directly from the text
MUST be referenced
Example: “……..” (Dahl 6).
Explanation
Should be 3-5 sentences in length
Must explain how your evidence proves your point
Do not let the evidence speak for itself

11. PEE
Example:
In the story, Dahl creates conflict by using situational irony. He does this in the inciting incident by having Patrick tell Mary that he is leaving her: “Of course I’ll give you money and see you’re looked after. But there needn’t really be any fuss. I hope not anyway” (Dahl 3). Patrick says this after he tells Mary some very bad news. This is an example of situational irony because from the beginning of the story, Mary is described as being very loyal and devoted to Patrick. She cooks, cleans, and looks after him. Therefore, the reader would not have any idea that Patrick would leave her, thus making this situation ironic.

12. Integrating Quotations
Short quotations (less than 3 lines of text) are embedded within the paragraph
Example:
The irony is evident from this quote: “ …and there was more whispering, and through her sobbing she heard a few of the whispered phrases— ‘…acted quite normal… very cheerful… wanted to give him a good supper… peas… cheesecake… impossible that she… ’” (Dahl 6).

13. Integrating Quotations
Longer quotations (more than 3 lines of text) are formatted differently than shorter quotations
Indented 1” on either side of the paragraph
Single-spaced
Do not use quotation marks
Example:
Because of the dramatic irony, the reader is fully aware of the situation as the police officers try to come to a conclusion.
“In fifteen minutes he was back with a page of notes and there was more whispering, and there was more whispering, and through her sobbing she heard a few of the whispered phrases— ‘…acted quite normal… very cheerful… wanted to give him a good supper… peas… cheesecake… impossible that she… ’ After a while, the photographer and the doctor departed and two other men came” (Dahl 16).
This demonstrates…..

14. No Floating Quotes! Make sure you always introduce your quote.
NO: In the story, Dahl creates conflict by using situational irony. He does this in the inciting incident by having Patrick tell Mary that he is leaving her. “Of course I’ll give you money and see you’re looked after. But there needn’t really be any fuss. I hope not anyway” (Dahl 3).
YES: In the story, Dahl creates conflict by using situational irony. He does this in the inciting incident by having Patrick tell Mary that he is leaving her: “Of course I’ll give you money and see you’re looked after. But there needn’t really be any fuss. I hope not anyway” (Dahl 3).
YES: He does this in the inciting incident by having Patrick tell Mary that he will take care of her and feels that because he will be giving her money “there needn’t really be any fuss” (Dahl 8).

15. Conclusion Should sum up the ideas in your paragraph
Do not simply restate your thesis
Leave the reader with something to think about.
Answer the question “So What?”
Example:
“Although Christopher may be more difficult to raise than other children, Mr. Boone loves his son and has been rewarded for all this hard work with a son who is loving, intelligent and honest.”

16. MLA Format General Guidelines: Type on white 8.5” x 11” paper
Double-space everything
Use 12 pt. Times New Roman font
Leave only one space after punctuation
Set all margins to 1 inch on all sides
Indent the first line of paragraphs one half-inch

17. MLA Format No title page Double space everything
In the upper left corner of the 1st page, list your name, the course, your instructor's name, and date
Center the paper title (use standard caps but no underlining, italics, or bold)
From page 2 (and onward) create a header in the upper right corner at half inch from the top and one inch from the right of the page (include your last name and page number)

18. What is wrong with this example??
Sample first page
English
Building a Dream
During the 2000 football season, the Purdue Boilermakers won the Big Ten Confrence Title, earned their first trip to the Rose Bowl in thiry-four years, and played every game in front of a sold-out crowd. Looking ahead…
What is wrong with this example??

19. Supported Opinion Paragraph #1
Topic: “
Should we feel sympathy for Mrs. Maloney in “Lamb to the Slaughter” by Roald Dahl?”
Use a min. of 2 and max. of 3 direct quotations
Follow the format taught in this lesson

20. How am I being marked? Knowledge Thinking
Discusses question using accurate information from text
Formulates a thesis based on given topic
Paragraph is structured according to SOP lesson
Thinking
Analyses quotations to prove thesis throughout paragraph.

21. How am I being marked? Communication Application
How is your spelling and grammar?
Are you being clear and concise (avoid vague statements) ?
Formal language used?
Application
Transitions used to connect points to thesis
Quotations well chosen and integrated into paragraph?