2. What should my paragraphs look like? TREES T Topic sentence – A sentence that captures the meaning of the entire paragraph. R Reason – tells why the topic or claim is true. E Evidence – support your claim with a specific example. E Explanation – explain how your example shows your reason to be true. This may take more than one sentence. May begin with “This shows…” or “This illustrates…” S Seal it up with a clincher! Ground your paragraph by drawing a strong conclusion about your topic sentence.

3. T – Topic Sentence  A sentence that captures the meaning of the entire paragraph.  The film and the short story “Ransom of Red Chief” are similar in several interesting ways. First of all, both use Indian names as a way to show how the boy takes control of the men. For example, in both versions, Johnny renames himself “Red Chief” and calls his kidnappers “Snake Eye” and “Black Scout”. “Red Chief” directs his captors' behavior, giving them orders to keep watch and play horse in both stories. The fact that he has the power to rename them and make them play the part shows just how much control the boy has over them all story long! By staying true to these important elements in O. Henry's story, the director created a movie that O. Henry might even enjoy.

4. R - Reason  Tells why the topic or claim is true.  The film and the short story “Ransom of Red Chief” are similar in several interesting ways. First of all, both use Indian names as a way to show how the boy takes control of the men. For example, in both versions, Johnny renames himself “Red Chief” and calls his kidnappers “Snake Eye” and “Black Scout”. “Red Chief” directs his captors' behavior, giving them orders to keep watch and play horse in both stories. The fact that he has the power to rename them and make them play the part shows just how much control the boy has over them all story long! By staying true to these important elements in O. Henry's story, the director created a movie that O. Henry might even enjoy.

5. E - Evidence  Support your claim with a  The film and the short story “Ransom of Red Chief” are similar in several interesting ways. First of all, both use Indian names as a way to show how the boy takes control of the men. For example, in both versions, Johnny renames himself “Red Chief” and calls his kidnappers “Snake Eye” and “Black Scout”. “Red Chief” directs his captors' behavior, giving them orders to keep watch and play horse in both stories. The fact that he has the power to rename them and make them play the part shows just how much control the boy has over them all story long! By staying true to these important elements in O. Henry's story, the director created a movie that O. Henry might even enjoy. specific example.

6. E - Explanation  Explain how your example shows your reason to be true. This may take more than one sentence. May begin with “This shows…” or “This illustrates…”  The film and the short story “Ransom of Red Chief” are similar in several interesting ways. First of all, both use Indian names as a way to show how the boy takes control of the men. For example, in both versions, Johnny renames himself “Red Chief” and calls his kidnappers “Snake Eye” and “Black Scout”. “Red Chief” directs his captors' behavior, giving them orders to keep watch and play horse in both stories. The fact that he has the power to rename them and make them play the part shows just how much control the boy has over them all story long! By staying true to these important elements in O. Henry's story, the director created a movie that O. Henry might even enjoy.

7. S – Seal it with a clincher!  Ground your paragraph by drawing a strong conclusion about your topic sentence.  The film and the short story “Ransom of Red Chief” are similar in several interesting ways. First of all, both use Indian names as a way to show how the boy takes control of the men. For example, in both versions, Johnny renames himself “Red Chief” and calls his kidnappers “Snake Eye” and “Black Scout”. “Red Chief” directs his captors' behavior, giving them orders to keep watch and play horse in both stories. The fact that he has the power to rename them and make them play the part shows just how much control the boy has over them all story long! By staying true to these important elements in O. Henry's story, the director created a movie that O. Henry might even enjoy.