1. Five Sentence Paragraph
Sentence #1 -Topic Sentence – TS
Sentence #2 – Evidence –SAY –starts with For example,
Sentence #3 – Reasoning - MEAN - Expansion
Sentence #4 – Reasoning – MATTER - Expansion
Sentence #5 – Concluding Sentence –Starts with As a result,

2. Topic Sentence–TS - Sentence #1
Paragraph Format
Topic Sentence–TS - Sentence #1
States the purpose of the paragraph/ Makes a claim
Uses/restates the language of the question or prompt
Includes the author’s name and title

3. Say Sentence – Evidence – Sentence #2
A meaningful direct quote that supports the topic or proves the claim
Transition to begin the sentence with the quote: for example, in fact
Must be a direct quote. Words copied directly from the text and put in quotation marks.
Cite evidence using MLA
Example:
For example, “The next day when the principal called me into the office I knew what it would be about” (Salinas 15).
For dialogue – put quotes around the entire selection and then change any dialogue marks to one mark. Below is an example:
For example, “’Why?’ he finally asked. ‘Your grandfather has the money.”’

6. Sentence #3 – Mean Sentence
MEAN: REASONING – you are explaining your reasoning behind using the quote you did to support your topic sentence or prove your claim.
Commentary–Interpretations
What does the author mean?
Explanation in your own words of what the quote means

7. Sentence #4 – Matter Sentence
MATTER - Commentary – explanation that further explains the mean sentence – more logic
Why is this important in real life?
How does this apply to the world around us?
Think philosophically!

8. Sentence #5- Concluding Sentence
Does NOT repeat the topic sentence
Make a statement that connects the claim to a critical thought about the world. You might think, “So what?” What does it teach us? Why do we care about these ideas? Why would an author make certain choices?
Must begin with a transitions like - As a result or In other words

9. Prompts -
How does the first person point of view allow the reader to empathize with the narrator?
What main lesson does the narrator learn throughout the course of the story?
The principal experiences a change. Why does the principal change his mind? Use direct evidence from the story to support your answer.
“Why did they have to change the rules just when it was my turn to win the jacket?” However, the question is not answered. Instead it is followed by the statement “Those were the days of belief and innocence.” What is the author trying to tell us with this question and statement? Use evidence to support your answer.

10. Eight Sentence Chunked Paragraph
Sentence #1 -Topic Sentence – TS
Sentence #2 – Evidence –SAY –starts with “For example,”
Sentence #3 – Reasoning - MEAN - Expansion
Sentence #4 – Reasoning – MATTER - Expansion
Sentence #5 – Evidence –SAY –starts with “In addition,”
Sentence #2 – Evidence –SAY –starts with “For example,”
Sentence #5 Concluding Sentence – Starts with “As a result,”