M=Main Idea

Answers the questionSets up the paragraphThe first sentence of the paragraph

E=Evidence or Examples

Information from sources such as books, lectures, readings, etc. that support your main ideaThe stuff you learned or found out about the topicEvidence can be quotes, statistics, factsEvidence that is commonanyone can use it or find it

L-Link

Links the evidence you used to the key idea in your topic sentenceExplains how the evidence supports your topicThe link is what you think or how you relate the evidence to the topicYour link is uniqueit shows your through process and why you chose the evidence you chose

CON=Concluding Statement

The last sentence of your paragraph which summarizes your answer, you evidenceMentions your three pieces of evidence again in a new, short way

Dont forget to use transitions!!!Separates each of your pieces of evidenceOrganizes your paragraph and makes it easy for the reader to followEven more importantlyA great example isThe first good reason isMoreoverOne good example isA second quote isThird but most importantA final good example is

Step OneAnswer the question with a statementDo not start with I think or I feel or I believeDo not start with YES or NOExample: Should high schools require all students to wear uniforms? Why or why not?High schools should require all students to wear uniforms.THIS BECOMES YOUR MAIN IDEA: THE M in MEL-Con

Step TwoIdentify the key idea that you will link your evidence to with your link/explanationThis is the key idea of what you are trying to prove or explainHigh schools should require all students to wear uniforms.NOWfor each example you give, you must link it back to the fact that high school students should be required to wear uniforms

Step ThreeIdentify your first example that you think supports thisTo begin with, uniforms would save parents money.

Step FourLink your example back to your key ideaAn easy way to do this is like this:For example, parents could simply buy two or three inexpensive uniforms. They wouldnt feel any pressure to spend money on designer jeans, name-brand shoes, or other high-priced clothes.

Step FiveRepeat the previous two steps and find another example and link it

Step SixMake sure you use transitions between each exampleTo begin with, uniforms would save parents money.

Step SevenEnd your paragraph with a concluding statement to wrap up your ideasSo, it is clear that all high school students should have to wear uniforms. Uniforms can save families money, enable students to focus more on learning, and help students to get along.

High schools should require all students to wear uniforms. To begin with, uniforms would save parents money. Parents could simply buy two or three inexpensive uniforms. They wouldnt feel any pressure to spend money on designer jeans, name-brand shoes, or other high-priced clothes. Also, students wouldn't have to worry about what to wear. They would get up every morning knowing how theyd be dressed for school. Their attention, then, could be more on learning than on making a fashion statement. Last of all, uniforms would help all students get along. Rich students wouldnt be able to show off by wearing expensive clothes, and poor students wouldnt have any reason to feel shabby. When rich and poor wear the same uniforms, theres a sense that everyone is equal. So, it is clear that all high school students should have to wear uniforms. Uniforms can save families money, enable students to focus more on learning, and help students to get along.

In the School Uniforms paragraph:Circle the main idea (M)Underline each piece of evidence (E)Put a box around each link (L)Highlight each transition wordCircle the concluding statement (Con)

Repeat with the rest of the example MEL-Con paragraphs

The LINK in your MEL-Con paragraph is the most important partThe LINK explains how your example or evidence supports your Main IdeaThe LINK is what you think or how you think

Identify the key word in your main idea (usually an adjective or a verb)Example : The best restaurant in Rolling Meadows is Pappadeaux.Key Word: BEST

Use your key word (or a synonym) to begin your linkThis makes the restaurant the best in the area because

Identify the key word in your main idea (usually an adjective or a verb)Example : In the book The Lord of the Flies, Jack and Ralph have very different styles of leadership.Key Word: DIFFERENT

Use your key word (or a synonym) to begin your linkIn this example, the difference between the two is evident because

Identify the key word in your main idea (usually an adjective or a verb)Example : Romeo, even though he is older than Juliet, proves to be very immature in Shakespeares play.Key Word: IMMATURE

Use your key word (or a synonym) to begin your linkIn this scene Romeo shows how immature he is by acting like