Series of Paragraph 101

SERIES OF PARAGRAPH 101

Grade 9 Applied English

What is a Series of Paragraphs? • A series of paragraphs is nothing

more than a fancy name for an essay

• An essay is a very structured set of ideas that try to prove a point that the author has decided to write about

• There are may types of essays but the one thing that they all have in common is that they are all

• Your goal as a writer is to pretend

you are writing to someone who doesn’t believe you, and you are trying to change their mind about a specific topic!

How Do I Begin? Step 1: Brainstorm Step 2: Come up with an idea Step 3: Come up with an outline Step 4: Start to write Step 5: Peer edit Step 6: Final draft!

The Structure:

The Structure.. The BIG Picture! (Literally…)

The hamburger method is the best way to remember essay structure. You have the top bun that you first “sink your teeth into”, then the juicy, delicious middle where all the “meat” of your essay is, and then the bun on the bottom that holds the entire thing together!

Introduction StructureHook: There are many different types of hooks. The

purpose of the hook is to grab the reader’s attention and make them want to continue reading.

It should relate to the reason why you are writing the essay in the first place.

Types of hooks include:Quotes Definitions Statements…

Introduction StructureBackground Information You provide background information because

you are always assuming your reader knows nothing about what you are talking about. You need to give them CONTEXT

You include:The TITLE and AUTHOR of the work you are writing

aboutSettingImportant or key charactersA quick glimpse of key conflicts

Introduction StructureThesis Statement This is the most important part of an essay. The purpose is

to let your reader know exactly what you want your reader to learn by reading your paper.

There are two parts to your thesis statement: Topic Opinion The topic tells The opinion tellsthe reader what the reader what the main idea of your stance is on your essay is. that topic.Ex// Love, war, Ex// … causes the friendship… main character to lose hope

Introduction StructureThesis Statement After you have brainstormed and created your thesis

statement, and you know what you are arguing, you need to create a:

Mapping Statement The mapping statement lets your reader know what

your three body paragraphs are going to be about. That means you list three ideas in it You write it like a list, where you start off by describing

them similarly so it flows well. Make them parallel! Ex//…due to physical, emotional and verbal suffering.

Example: For example:Pretend your thesis is:

In the story,“On the Sidewalk Bleeding” Andy’s identity islost forever because of the couple, the officer and thejacket.

What is the topic?What is the opinion?What are the three parts of the mapping statement?What would paragraph 1 be about? Paragraph 2? Paragraph 3?

Thesis Statement

Body Paragraphs In a series of paragraphs, you will have 3 body

paragraphs Your three body paragraphs are the three things

that you listed in your mapping statement The order that you put them in the mapping

statement is the same order you put your body paragraphs in

Body paragraphs have a very specific structure. This ensures that you clearly and concisely explain your ideas to ensure your reader understands your thoughts

Body Paragraph StructureFirst is the The topic sentence connects to your three ideas in

your mapping statement. The first point in your mapping statement is your first

body paragraph’s topic sentence, the second idea from it is your second body paragraph, and the third will be the topic sentence for your third body paragraph

Your topic sentence provides the topic for the paragraph, and explains how it helps to prove your thesis

Topic Sentence

Body Paragraph Structure Example: Topic SentenceIf you remember, the thesis statement was:

In the story,“On the Sidewalk Bleeding” Andy’s identity islost forever because of the couple, the officer and thejacket.

The first topic sentence should include the first idea from themapping statement, and it should explain how it proves the thesis.An example for the first body paragraph would be:

The couple contributes to Andy’s loss of identity since they let himto die, which takes away his chance to turn his life around for thebetter.

(notice the explanation of how the topic proves the thesis)

Body Paragraph Structure

Next you have a Your point is a supporting detail that helps explain your topic sentence. Your point should be clear and concise. It should not be a part of the plot. For Example:

Good One reason why the couple contributed to Andy’s loss of identity isbecause they acted selfishly. The point here is that the couple was selfish, which supports the idea that they

took away his chance of a better life. Notice how this point is not obvious on its own. You need more information as a reader to clarify this idea.

BadOne reason why the couple contributed to Andy’s loss of identity isbecause Freddie walked Angela home.

This does not show any relationship to the thesis. It does not show any connection between Andy’s loss of identity and the couple.

Point


Next you have a A proof comes in one of two forms. It is either a: or a The preferred method is to use a quote because

a quote does not leave any room for interpretation. We know that a quote shows exactly how it was said originally.

The quote should show an example of the point that you just made in the previous sentence(s).

Proof

Quote Specific Example

Direct Quotations Inserting quotations can be tricky…

Use quotation marks to begin and end a direct quotation.

In a direct quotation, the words of the speaker are quoted exactly, and the first word of the quotation is capitalized.

Direct: Mrs. Mallard states “Free! Body and soul free” (Chopin 38).

Both parts of a divided quotation are enclosed in quotation marks. The first word of the second part of the quotation is not capitalized unless it begins a new sentence.

Divided: “There would be no one to live for during those coming years,” says Mrs. Mallard, “she would live for herself” (Chopin 38).

Indirect Quotations Quotation marks are never

used with an indirect quotation, which reports the meaning of the speaker but not in direct words.

Indirect: Mrs. Mallard talks about freedom, in particular, she exclaims she is free in both her mind and body (Chopin 38).

Quotations Always lead up to your quotation by giving the speaker and the situation. Do not

assume that the reader knows the exact part of the story that you are quoting.

Always follow up your quotation by commenting on, explaining, applying, interpreting, or drawing a conclusion from your quotation.

Do not leave the reader to do the work! Never move on to a new point or paragraph immediately after the quotation.

Quotations Short quotations of 1 to 4 lines are put

into quotation marks and included, double spaced, in the body of the assignment.

They are introduced by a comma (,) unless they are a continuation of a body paragraph sentence; the appropriate punctuation, or none at all, is then used.

Quotations are followed by the author’s last name and page reference in parentheses, with no punctuation included, except a period after the closing bracket.

For example: (Chopin 38).


Your Topic Sentence:The couple contributes to Andy’s loss of identity since they let himto die, which takes away his chance to turn his life around for thebetter. Your Point: The couple acts selfishly instead of trying to save Andy’s life.

An Example of a Proof:When they see him on the ground and realize he is bleeding they say, “Idon't want to get mixed up in this. He's a Royal. We help him, and the

Guardians'll be down on our necks. I don't want to get mixed up in this, Angela” (Hunter 2).

Notice how the connection between this quote and the point you made is not necessarily obvious. It requires some explanation on your part. That brings us to the next part of paragraph structure.


Next you have You need to create a sentence, after you have

provided support for your topic sentence, that takes the time to explain how your point and proof relate to your thesis statement.

For Example: The fact that the couple is afraid to help Andy

shows that they care more about themselves than another person dying. Since they let him die,

Andy loses his chance to change his life for the better.

Explanation


Lastly, you have a There are two parts to a concluding sentence. First you

need to:Restate your topic sentence in a different way

Then you need to:Transition into your next topic sentence

For Example: Although the couple plays a role in taking away Andy’s

chance at a new life, the officer also contributes to Andy’s loss of identity.

Concluding Sentence

Body Paragraph : Final ProductThesis:

In the story,“On the Sidewalk Bleeding” Andy’s identity is lost forever because of the couple, the officer and the jacket.

First Body Paragraph:

Firstly, the couple contributes to Andy’s loss of identity since they let him todie, which takes away his chance to change who he is and have a better life.One reason why the couple contributed to Andy’s loss of identity is becausethey acted selfishly. When they see him on the ground and realize he isbleeding they say, “I don't want to get mixed up in this. He's a Royal. Wehelp him, and the Guardians'll be down on our necks. I don‘t want to getmixed up in this, Angela” (Hunter 2). Therefore, the fact that the couple is afraidto help Andy shows that they care more about themselves than anotherperson dying. Since they let him die, Andy loses his chance to change hislife for the better. Although the couple plays a role in taking away Andy’schance at a new life, the officer also contributes to Andy’s loss of identity.

Conclusion The conclusion is meant to bring it all

home! It is the wrap up section of your essay. It follows the following format

Conclusion First: Restate Thesis (differently from how it was stated in your introduction) Second: Summarize Paragraph 1 Third: Summarize Paragraph 2Fourth: Summarize Paragraph 3Fifth: Leave a Final Thought – Like Jerry Springer!

Transitions Transitions are words or

phrases that connect ideas.

Transitions help the reader clearly understand relationships in your writing such as time, space, emphasis, example, contrast, comparison, effect and addition.

In a proper paragraph, transitions are incorporated to create fluency in your writing and to connect your ideas/sentences.

For example:

Firstly, Secondly, Lastly, Finally

For example, For instance,

Thus, As a result, Consequently

In addition to, Similarly

In contrast, Rather, Yet, But

Transitions

Transitions Transitions are meant to be like a road map for your

reader. They help tell them which ideas are new, and which ones

are connected. They also help your ideas flow and sound better together. There are some key places to put transitions in an essay

to really help guide your audience:At the beginning of each new body paragraphAt the beginning of each new pointAt the beginning of each new explanationAt the beginning of each closing sentence

Look at your paragraph again…

Body Paragraph : Final ProductThesis:

In the story,“On the Sidewalk Bleeding” Andy’s identity is lost forever because of the couple, the officer and the jacket.

First Body Paragraph:

Firstly, the couple contributes to Andy’s loss of identity since they let him todie, which takes away his chance to change who he is and have a better life.One reason why the couple contributed to Andy’s loss of identity is becausethey acted selfishly. When they see him on the ground and realize he isbleeding they say, “I don't want to get mixed up in this. He's a Royal. Wehelp him, and the Guardians'll be down on our necks. I don‘t want to getmixed up in this, Angela” (Hunter 2). Therefore, the fact that the couple is afraidto help Andy shows that they care more about themselves than anotherperson dying. Since they let him die, Andy loses his chance to change hislife for the better. Although the couple plays a role in taking away Andy’schance at a new life, the officer also contributes to Andy’s loss of identity.

MLA Format – The Basics MLA Format is the format used in English

and other Arts programs. There are some key elements of MLA

format to remember when you develop an essay.

You need to go through them like a checklist to ensure that your format is correct.

It is meant to help guard against plagiarism

MLA FormatSTRUCTURE The entire essay need to be double spaced There should be no extra spaces between

paragraphs. You simply go to the next available line to start your next paragraph (sticking to your double space structure).

Make sure your line-spacing defaults are all set to “0”.

Your entire essay should use 1 inch margins. Indent each new paragraph

MLA FormatYou do notneed a titlepage.Instead, thefirst page ofyour essayhas a veryspecific setup…

MLA FormatESSAY DETAILS At the top of the page, on the

left side, you put the following information in this order:Your FULL nameYour teacher’s nameYour Course CodeThe date, using the following

format:○ Day Month Year○ Do not use commas and do not

write the “4th”

For Example:

John Smith

ENG 1P1

Mrs. Jones

30 May 2012

MLA FormatTITLE You need to have a creative title that

connects to the meaning of your essay Your title should have no bolding, no

underling and no italics It should be centered It should go on the next available line

following your name, teacher, course code and date details

MLA FormatHEADER At the top of the page, you have to input a header Insert page numbers and choose the option so they are

aligned right After that, on the left side of the page number, write your

last name The final product looks like this:

MLA Format The very last part of MLA format is the Works Cited

page Go to a new page after you have reached the end of

your essay At the very top of the page, center the words : Works

Cited At the next available line, you will put your citations for

the books or other works you used. A book citation uses the following format:

Series of Paragraph 101

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