T.I.Q.A.
A LESSON IN PARAGRAPH PLANNING AWESOMENESS
What is TIQA?
TIQA is an acronym for a technique that you can use when planning a paragraph
for different types of writing styles.
T- Topic sentence
I – Introduce quote
Q – Quote
A – Analyze quote
TIQA-TIQA. . .
TIQA-Chu!!!
The “T” in TIQA
T = Topic sentence: write a topic sentence for the paragraph. A topic
sentence needs a claim or controlling idea.
Here is an example of a topic sentence for a character analysis
paragraph.
◦ Ex. Pikachu and Ash make such an unbeatable team because of the trust that
Pikachu has in his trainer.
The “I” in TIQA
I = Introduce quote: Before you write the quote that provides evidence to
support your topic sentence, you need to introduce it. You need to give some
context or setting to the quote. If someone is speaking the quoted words, you
should tell your reader who is talking. The quote cannot "exist" on its own--it
must be attached to this introduction sentence.
Let’s continue with our Pokemon example.
◦ Ex. As Ash states in the third season,
◦ The I in TIQA isn’t usually a full sentence on its own. It’s the part before the
quote that introduces the quote.
The “Q” in TIQA
Q = Quote: Provide a quote from the text that supports the topic sentence. A
quote can be actual words spoken by a character, or it can be other non-spoken
words that appear in the text.
Example quote
◦ Ex. “Pikachu always stands and his ground, and we aren’t afraid of your Abra,
Sabrina!”
The “A” in TIQA
A = Analysis: explain to the reader (in 2-3 sentences) how the quote supports
your topic, or how it proves your thesis to be true. DO NOT just restate the
quote in your own words. You have to analyze it, which means you have to
explain how it proves the point you are trying to make.
For example, in a character analysis, you are showing how the quote proves that
the character has the trait you identified.
◦ Ex. The above quote demonstrates Pikachu’s constant willingness to go into battle for Ash. No
matter how tough and intimidating the foe, Pikachu never hesitates to throw himself into the
fight with everything he has. His connection with Ash gives him the faith that Ash would
never throw him into a battle that he cannot win. This is a huge part of why they’re such a
great team.
The TIQA Paragraph
• T – topic sentence
I – Introduce quote
Q – Quote
A – Analyze quote
Pikachu and Ash make such an unbeatable team because of the trust that Pikachu has in his trainer.
As Ash states in the third season, “Pikachu always stands and his ground, and we aren’t afraid of your
Abra, Sabrina!” The above quote demonstrates Pikachu’s constant willingness to go into battle for Ash.
No matter how tough and intimidating the foe, Pikachu never hesitates to throw himself into the fight
with everything he has. His connection with Ash gives him the faith that Ash would never throw him
into a battle that he cannot win. This is a huge part of why they’re such a great team.
TIQA in Argument Writing
•Remember how we can use TIQA for different writing styles? Let’s see how TIQA works when
planning a body paragraph for argument writing.
• Let’s have our argument be whether or not students should be allowed to have their phones in
school.
•Our TIQA paragraph will be in favor of cell phones for students in school.
The “T” in TIQA
T = Topic sentence: write a topic sentence for the paragraph. A topic sentence needs a claim or
controlling idea.
Here is an example of a topic sentence for an argument paragraph.
◦ Ex. Students should be allowed to bring their cell phones to school because
doing so will give them a constant source of technology to use.
The “I” in TIQA
I = Introduce quote: Before you write the quote that provides evidence to
support your topic sentence, you need to introduce it. You need to give some
context or setting to the quote. If someone is speaking the quoted words, you
should tell your reader who is talking. The quote cannot "exist" on its own--it
must be attached to this introduction sentence.
Let’s continue with our cell phone example for an argument paragraph.
◦ Ex. According to Josh Higgins of USA Today,
◦ The I in TIQA isn’t usually a full sentence on its own. It’s the part before the
quote that introduces the quote.
The “Q” in TIQA
Q = Quote: Provide a quote from the text that supports the topic sentence. A
quote can be actual words spoken by a character, or it can be other non-spoken
words that appear in the text.
Example quote
◦ Ex. “With mobile apps and the Internet at their fingertips, teachers and
students are now using phones as clickers to answer questions, providing
feedback on student progress, and also to document labs, collaborate on
group projects and capture teachers' notes. . .”
The “A” in TIQA
A = Analysis: explain to the reader (in 2-3 sentences) how the quote supports
your topic, or how it proves your thesis to be true. DO NOT just restate the
quote in your own words. You have to analyze it, which means you have to
explain how it proves the point you are trying to make.
For example, in an argument essay, you are showing how the quote proves that
the side you chose (pro or con) is the correct side.
◦ Ex. This quote exemplifies why cell phones can be beneficial in school. Not only do students
benefit from cell phone use in class, the teachers also gain educational tools. Students can
instantly answer app generated quizzes while taking photos of their science lab’s progress.
This innovative, interactive way of learning is a major reason why cell phones should be
allowed, even encouraged, in schools.
The TIQA Paragraph
• T – topic sentence
I – Introduce quote
Q – Quote
A – Analyze quote
Students should be allowed to bring their cell phones to school because doing so will give them a constant source of
technology to use. According to Josh Higgins of USA Today, “With mobile apps and the Internet at their fingertips,
teachers and students are now using phones as clickers to answer questions, providing feedback on student progress, and
also to document labs, collaborate on group projects and capture teachers' notes. . .” This quote exemplifies why cell
phones can be beneficial in school. Not only do students benefit from cell phone use in class, the teachers also gain
educational tools. Students can instantly answer app generated quizzes while taking photos of their science lab’s progress.
This innovative, interactive way of learning is a major reason why cell phones should be allowed, even encouraged, in
schools.
The Evolution of TIQACHU (The Untold Story: A DIS Exclusive)
We all know of the beloved creature commonly referred to as
“Pikachu,” but do we know the whole story? After mastering several
tasks, and undergoing many transformations, Pikachu realized he felt
incomplete. He tried to express his feelings to his human captor, Ash,
but he did not have the necessary communication skills to convey his
internal struggle. After many months of mental solitude, and too
many humans not understanding the soul behind “the somehow cute
yet dangerous electric sneezes,” Pikachu had a plan. “I can learn to
write,” Pikachu thought to himself, during a particularly conflicting
photo shoot with over-excited children. After breaking free from the
clutch of a school boy’s fanatical hug, Pikachu ran to the nearby
school while lamenting within his desperate mind, “If I learn to write,
and write well, I can let these humans know my struggle. I can share
the song of my people, er, monsters!” After several days of studying,
and many hours devoted to mastering the skill of written word,
Pikachu evolved into TIQACHU: The Well Written Pocket Monster.
Tiqachu