1. Triple-decker Paragraphs
How to Write an Eleven-Sentence Paragraph
A modified Jane Schaeffer paragraph Powerpoint created by Hollie Gustke and modified by Trina Mangione

2. Get Ready to Color Your World!
Materials: When we write, we will use blue, red, and green colored pencils.
BLUE is for Topic Sentences (TS)
and Concluding Sentences (CS).
RED is for Supports (SPT).
GREEN is for Expansion Sentences
(EXP).

3. Step 1: TOPIC SENTENCE
A Topic Sentence (TS) is the top bun of a hamburger.
TS = first sentence of the paragraph.
It shows the main idea.
Usually a mildly controversial
statement--something that you have to
prove.

4. Example Topic Sentence (TS)
In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has traits which help him succeed. .

5. Step 2: Supports SUPPORTS are the meat patties of the hamburger.
Supports are the subcategories that prove your TOPIC SENTENCE

6. 2) For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick.
Example SUPPORT
2) For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick.

7. Step 3: EXPANSION
Expansion Sentences are the “extras” on the hamburger—the tomato, cheese, lettuce, mayo—they make it delicious!
EXP= your analysis, interpretation, explanation, or insight into the text.

8. Example Expansion Sentences (2 EXPs)
3) The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house. 4) This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf.

9. Step 4: CONCLUDING SENTENCE
A concluding sentence (CS) is the bottom bun of the hamburger.
A CS wraps up the paragraph.
It rephrases the main idea.

10. Example Concluding Sentence (CS)
In conclusion, the third
pig outsmarts not only his
brothers but the “big, bad”
wolf as well.

11. TS, SPT, EXP, CS—Now What? CHUNKING
A combination of SPT and EXP is called a chunk.
For an Eleven sentence paragraph, we will use a combination (or “ratio”) of 1:2. That is, for every 1 SPT, you will have 2 EXP.

12. Three layers For an eleven-sentence paragraph, you have three chunks:
Topic sentence
Support (hamburger patty)
Expansion (lettuce)
Expansion (tomato)
Expansion (cheese)
Expansion (pickles)
Expansion (special sauce)
Expansion (catsup)
Concluding sentence

13. One Chunk: 1 SPT + 2 EXP
For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick. The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house. This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf.
Ratio = 1:2

14. Transitions
A good paragraph will also use transition words. These are words or phrases that help readers connect ideas.
Example transitions (LLA 688):
In summary,
For example,
Thus,
Hence,
For instance,
Because of this,
Therefore,
Consequently,
As a result,

15. Now you know how to write a three-chunk paragraph…
Does It Flow?
Now you know how to write a three-chunk paragraph…
LET’S EAT!

16. Step 6: A Whole Paragraph
In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has the traits that help him succeed. For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick. The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house. This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf. Additionally, he is a hard worker. Although it is much easier to build a house out of straw, he chooses the sturdy material. Even though

17. Continued…
laying bricks is time-consuming, he knows it is the better choice. This oldest pig also learns his lessons. He remembers his mother taught him that predators seek out little pigs. Knowing a wolf-attack is likely, he plans out his home construction to prevent tragedy. In conclusion, the third pig’s nature enables him to outsmart not only his brothers, but the “big, bad” wolf as well.

18. Notice the color pattern:
In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has the traits that help him succeed. For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick. The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house. This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf. Additionally, he is a hard worker. Although it is much easier to build a house out of straw, he chooses the material that will hold up. Even though laying bricks is time-consuming, he knows it is the better choice. This oldest pig also learns his lessons. He remembers his mother taught him that predators seek out little pigs. Knowing a wolf-attack is likely, he plans out his home construction to prevent tragedy. In conclusion, the third pig’s nature enables him to outsmart not only his brothers, but the “big, bad” wolf as well.

19. Let’s try our own!!