Organizing Your Essay. A Review of Paragraph Structure

Transcription

1 Organizing Your Essay A Review of Paragraph Structure

2 What is the basic layout for an essay? Introduction Paragraph Body Paragraphs (at least three) Conclusion Paragraph

3 How do you write a strong thesis statement? Your thesis statement should be the last sentence of your introduction. It should state your essay s main idea, as well as three subtopics. When writing your thesis, you should restate the prompt in your own words a lot like the R in RACES. Example Prompt: Write an informational essay in your own words explaining the ways in which libraries are adapting and changing in the 21st century. Examples Thesis: Libraries are adapting and changing in the twenty first century because there are now free libraries, digital libraries, and small libraries.

4 How do you P.E.E.L. your Body Paragraphs? P: Point-Start with a transitional word or phrase, and then provide a clear and specific statement about what the point of the paragraph will be. E: Evidence-Provide at least 1 properly cited direct quote from one of the passages, along with additional specific examples and details from the passages. The evidence that you include should develop your paragraph s point. E: Explain-Explain and discuss how the evidence that you provided develops your point. L: Link-Provide a summary of this paragraph s point, therefore providing a sense of closure. This sentence should clearly indicate that you are moving onto your next point and smoothly transition to the next paragraph.

5 How do you know what your paragraph s point is? Look at your thesis statement! Example Thesis: Libraries are adapting and changing in the twenty first century because there are now free libraries, digital libraries, and small libraries. Point/Topic sentence of Body Paragraph #1: First off, free libraries have become very popular during the twenty first century.

6 When and how do you cite a passage on the EOC? WHEN: In your body paragraphs, you should have quotes from the passages, which you should cite. Plus, any time you directly refer to information you read in the provided passage, you should provide a citation. HOW: If you are given a passage s title, but no author: ( Title of passage ). If you are given a passage s title and an author: (Author s last name).

7 Assessment Activity We will examine two examples of an introduction paragraph one strong, one weak. We will also examine two examples of body paragraphs one strong, one weak. Use your notes to help you determine what makes each of these paragraphs strong or weak.

8 Strong Introduction Paragraph Most schools have a library as a part of their building, but when you walk inside, you often do not see people reading, but using computers instead. With computers growing in popularity, people have started to forget about books and libraries. In order to get people interested in reading again, many libraries have started to adapt and make changes. Some libraries are adapting by turning their books into digital copies, providing books in exchange for other books, and allowing children to take home e-readers with more than one hundred pre-loaded titles.

9 Weak Introduction Paragraph I read two passages about libraries that have changed lives in their communities and in the world. These libraries are two very efficient, helpful ones. They both portray the image that reading is wonderful. They also make reading easier for people who have a problem with it. They also both do far more than promote the passion of reading. They make it more lovable.

10 Strong Body Paragraph To begin with, libraries, like the one on the south side of San Antonio, Texas, are turning their hard copy books into digital copy books. In A New Twist on Libraries, the author explains how Patrons cannot touch the books because San Antonio s BiblioTech is a library that does not contain a single book on a single shelf ( A New Twist on Libraries ). All of the library s books are digital so that when people want to check out a book, they just have to borrow an e- reader. Removing all hard copies and replacing them with e-readers for people to check out is a big change for libraries. However, some libraries are going a different route.

11 Weak Body Paragraph Libraries have been updated in recent years. You can check out a book just using your phone. It can give you the right book that you were hoping for. You can rent a book on any electronic device. Libraries have become known for tourist stops. You can even download books to your own device.