How to Write a Tasty, Juicy
Paragraph
A modified Jane Schaeffer paragraph Powerpoint created by Hollie Gustke and modified by Trina Mangione

You will use the 11-sentence-paragraph model (or some derivation thereof) to write:
1) literary analyses —these types of writing require a careful, critical look at a work (or works) of literature.
2) argumentative essays —these types of writing begin with a clear claim that is argued throughout the essay.

•
Materials: When we analyze writing, we will use 3 colors of highlighters.
–First color ( yellow ) is for Claims and Closing Sentences.
–Second color ( pink ) is for Evidence.
–Third color ( blue / green ) is for
Commentary.


A claim ( C ) is the top bun of a hamburger.
• C = TOPIC sentence of the paragraph. (the first sentence)
It is the main idea that you will prove throughout your paragraph.

.

EVIDENCE =
Examples from the text, the meat patty of the hamburger.
EVIDENCE proves or supports your
CLAIM

In the fairy tale “The
Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has traits which help him succeed. For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick.


Commentary =
Explanation - your conclusions, analysis, interpretation, or insight into the text.
•
CM =are the “extras” on the hamburger—the tomato, cheese, lettuce, mayo—they make it delicious!

In the fairy tale “The Three Little
Pigs,” the third pig has traits which help him succeed. For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick.
The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house (1). This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf (2).


A closing sentence
( CS ) is the bottom bun of the hamburger.
• A CS brings a close to the claim by wrapping up the paragraph.

In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has traits which help him succeed. For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick. The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house (1). This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf (2).
In conclusion, the third pig outsmarts not only his brothers but the “big, bad” wolf as well.

In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has traits which help him succeed.
For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick.
The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house (1). This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf
(2). In conclusion, the third pig outsmarts not only his brothers but the “big, bad” wolf as well.

E

CHUNKING-A combination of E and
CM is called a
We will use a combination (or
“ratio”) of 1:2. That is, for every
1 Evidence sentence, you will have
2 Commentary sentences.

Example of chunking
For an elevensentence paragraph, you have three chunks :

Claim

Evidence from Text

Commentary

Commentary

Evidence from Text

Commentary

Commentary

Evidence from Text

Commentary

Commentary

Closing Sentence

Evidence transitions:
• For example,
• For instance,
• In the story,
Commentary transitions:
• Thus,
• Because of this,
• Therefore,
• Consequently,
• This shows that

In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,” the third pig has the traits that help him succeed.
For example, he is wise and builds his house out of sturdy brick.
The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house. This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf.
Additionally, he is a hard worker.
Although it is much easier to build a house out of straw, he chooses the material that will hold up. Even though laying bricks is time-consuming, he knows it is the better choice.
This oldest pig also learns his lessons.
He remembers his mother taught him that predators seek out little pigs.
Knowing a wolf-attack is likely, he plans out his home construction to prevent tragedy.
In conclusion, the third pig’s nature enables him to outsmart not only his brothers, but the “big, bad” wolf as well.