1. P ARAGRAPH W RITING Chunking

2. -T OPIC S ENTENCE (TS) Definition: A sentence that reveals what the content of the paragraph will address; the main idea (stated) This is the first sentence of any paragraph. When responding to a prompt, you can restate part of the prompt as you TS.

3. C ONCRETE D ETAIL (CD) Definition: Facts, evidence, proof, quotations, or a specific reference from/to a text that helps develop the main idea of the paragraph. All paragraphs should have two CDs. CDs need to be introduced with transitions.

4. T RANSITION Definition: A word or phrase that signals the writer is about to reveal a detail from a text that is not his or her own idea. Transitions help to make a paragraph flow more smoothly. Transitions are usually followed by a comma. Examples: For instance, for example, in addition, additionally, consequently, as a result, furthermore, etc.

5. C OMMENTARY (CM) Definition: interpretation, explanation, analysis, opinion, and/or support that explains why the CD is important and how it connects to the main idea stated in the TS. Your commentary is your own thinking.

6. C HUNK Definition: The combination of concrete details (CD) and commentary (CM). Formula: 1 concrete detail + 2 commentary (or more) This creates a fully developed explanation!

7. C ONCLUDING S ENTENCE (CS) Definition: The sentence at the end of the paragraph that sums up what the paragraph has been about by rephrasing the TS. Concluding Sentence- should be unique from the TS.

8. B UILDING AN E IGHT S ENTENCE C HUNKED P ARAGRAPH Topic Sentence Concrete Detail Commentary Concrete Detail Commentary Concluding Sentence Chunk One Chunk Two

9. C HUNKING M ODEL ~ E BENEZER S CROOGE Topic Sentence (TS): In the movie, A Christmas Carol, Ebenezer Scrooge is a dynamic character. Concrete Detail (CD): For example, Commentary (CM):

10. C HUNKING M ODEL ~ E BENEZER S CROOGE Concrete Detail (CD): Commentary (CM):

11. P ARAGRAPH C HECKLIST Does the topic sentence provide a framework for what is discussed in the rest of the paragraph? Are all of the concrete details mainly factual? Does the commentary include the opinions of the author? Is each chunk (1 concrete detail and 2 commentary) related? Is the proper ratio used? Does the closing sentence provide a summary, restating, or wrap-up of the paragraph?

12. S AMPLE : A B ENIGN - AND U SEFUL - ‘A LL A MERICAN M USLIM ’ Vocabulary to know: Benign- of mild character; a gentle disposition Miniscule- very small Extremists- belief in and support for extreme ideas Boycott- refusing to deal with a person, organization, or country Bigot- a person who won't listen to anyone whose ideas or beliefs are different from his or her own Milquetoast- timid; unassertive Ramadan- 9 th month in the Muslim calendar; strict fasting takes place during the month

13. E IGHT S ENTENCE C HUNKED P ARAGRAPH Topic Sentence Concrete Detail Commentary Concrete Detail Commentary Concluding Sentence S ubject: Deadly plague threatening N. American bats Choose to discuss ONE of the following using the 8 sentence chunked paragraph: O ccasion A udience P urpose T one Main Idea