Ideal for essay questions or test questions that require a paragraph answer

THE ONE-IDEA PARAGRAPH

THESIS (TAG + general focus)

Idea

Example

Commentary

CONCLUSION

One-Idea Paragraph

The one-idea paragraph begins with a THESIS which consists of the Tag and General Focus.

Thesis = Tag + General Focus

The TAG includes the following:T = title of workA = author of workG = genre (romance, tragedy, comedy, etc.)

The General Focus is the main idea of the paragraph, and it answers a question.

** THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT SENTENCE! **

THESIS

Thesis Example

QUESTION: Was Scrooge a miser?

Charles Dickens illustrates Ebenezer Scrooge as a lonely character who exhibits miserly behavior in his classic fantasy A Christmas Carol.

Title = A Christmas Carol Author = Charles Dickens Genre = fantasy Focus = Scrooge is a miser.

IDEA After giving the thesis, state the idea. The

idea will build upon the thesis in a more SPECIFIC way. It should include a KEY word that will help you stay focused.

Key Word: miser Now write the Idea Sentence:

Scrooge shows his miserly behavior

through his attitude about charity. ** Charity is ONE detail.

EXAMPLE

Next give a specific example which supports the fact that Ebenezer Scrooge is a miser because of his attitude about charity.

Example: Two pleasant gentlemen visit the

wealthy Scrooge on Christmas Eve, asking him for a donation for the poor. They ask Scrooge what he would like to donate to the poor, and Scrooge’s only reply is “nothing!”

COMMENTARY

Now the COMMENTARY. The commentary should explain WHY your example is a good one.

Scrooge does not even help the poor on Christmas Eve. In fact, he feels that he is helping them more by not giving, proving that he truly is greedy and miserly.

CONCLUSION

The conclusion should creatively restate the thesis and sum up the major thoughts of the essay.

Scrooge’s miserly attitude actually makes him proud. After the two men withdraw from his shop, he resumes his work with an improved opinion of himself.

One-Idea Paragraph Charles Dickens illustrates Ebenezer

Scrooge as a lonely character who exhibits miserly behavior in his classic fantasy A Christmas Carol. Scrooge shows his miserly behavior through his attitude about charity. Two pleasant gentlemen visit the wealthy Scrooge on Christmas Eve, asking him for a donation for the poor and the destitute. They ask Scrooge what he would like to donate to the poor, and Scrooge’s only reply is “nothing!” Scrooge does not even help the poor on Christmas Eve; in fact, he feels that he is helping them more by not giving, proving that he truly is greedy and miserly. Scrooge’s miserly attitude actually makes him proud. After the two men withdraw from his shop, he resumes his work with an improved opinion of himself.

THESIS (TAG + general focus)

Idea

Example

Commentary

CONCLUSION

One-Idea Paragraph