Paragraph
and Paper
Planning:
Using a Writing
Blueprint
Created and Offered by Student Support
Services at Troy University (Main Campus)
Workshop Objectives
• Teach participating students to follow a basic
paragraph blueprint (template).
• Teach students a basic essay blueprint.
• Help students expand paragraphs and retain the
focus of their paragraphs.
• Teach students the persuasive power of evidence.
• Provide students a practice exercise.
• Provide students with supplemental study
materials.
A Blueprint? Definitions:
• A model
• A construction guide
• A detailed plan of action
A Writing Blueprint is a Writing
Model, Guide, Plan of Action or
system.
Writing is a construction activity.
Why Use a Blueprint?
A Blueprint helps writers stay on task
as writers strive for . . .
• Unity: All sentences in paragraph and essay refer
to the main idea, topic and thesis.
• Coherence: Sentences and paragraphs are
logically organized and follow a definite plan of
development.
• Development: Every idea in the paragraph or
essay is explained and supported through
evidence and examples.
A Basic Paragraph Blueprint
I.
Topic Sentence
I.
Supporting sentence 1
-- Supporting evidence 1
Supporting sentence 2
-- Supporting evidence 2
Supporting sentence 3
-- Supporting evidence 3
III.
Concluding sentence
Basic Parts of a Paragraph
• Topic Sentence – General statement of
paragraph’s main idea. It is not the thesis.
• Supporting statement – More specific
statement that puts a burden of proof on the
writer
• Supporting details or examples – Evidence
which satisfies the burden of proof
• Concluding Sentence – a restatement of the
topic sentence
An Essay Blueprint
Three Essay Parts
I.
Introduction – starts broadly, usually
with a topic sentence. Narrows to the
thesis statement.
II.
Body– Explores and details the thesis.
Each body paragraph needs a topic
sentence that is related to the thesis.
III. Conclusion – Restates the thesis. May
summarize body paragraphs contents.
Part 1: Essay Introduction
Introduction includes:
• A General Topic Sentence
• Clarification of topic sentence with a
few other supporting sentences.
• Thesis sentence = Your Opinion of
the Topic
Example of . . .
A General Thesis Statement
Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird should be a required
reading for high school students.
A Blueprinted Thesis Statement
(indicate what body paragraph topic sentences are about)
Certainly, Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird should
be required reading for high school students
interested in literature, forensic speech, history or
social sciences.
(The reader may then expects the writer to discuss how
students interested in each subject can benefit from
reading the novel.)
Part 2: Essay Body
• Supply a topic sentence for Each Body
Paragraph in the Essay. Topic
sentences should relate to your Thesis
sentence.
• Transition words help establish reading
order and show logical connections.
• Evidence appeals to an audience by
adding credibility and persuasive power
to the writing.
Example of . . .
A Topic Sentence for a Body Paragraph
(Remember to Indent First Sentences of Paragraphs.)
Student Support Services (SSS), a Federal TRIO
program, helps participating college students achieve their
academic goals through its offering of academic tutoring.
Example of . . .
(1) Supporting Sentence, (2) Detail, and (3) Example
With (4) Transitions
. . . SSS participants may request academic tutoring for
general studies English, mathematics and science. Moreover, SSS
offers basic study skills and basic computer applications tutorials.
After learning in SSS to use the Microsoft PowerPoint computer
application, one Troy University participant designed his first-ever
PowerPoint presentation for one of his general studies course.
Thereafter, he made an outstanding presentation to his class.
Part 2: Essay Conclusion
Conclusion (usually) includes:
• The Restated (differently worded)
Thesis may start the conclusion.
• Statements related to essay’s main
points may be appropriate.
• A memorable ending. An Evaluative
statement may be appropriate
Supplemental Material
• Take a few minutes to study the
supplemental materials packet that
accompanies this presentation.
(Paragraph Construction;
Essay Blueprinting; Evidence
and Thesis Blueprinting)
• Ask staff for clarification, if necessary.
• Please continue to next slide.
Practice Exercises
• Complete practice exercise 1 –
Identifying Paragraph parts.
• See Handouts – Evidence page –
At bottom of handout, read and
complete writing activity. Write on
Paragraph outline sheet and turn
in Paragraph to SSS staff.
Troy University
Troy, Alabama 36082
Student Support Services
Center for Student Success
109 Shackelford Hall Annex
Troy University; Troy, AL 36082
Phone: 334-670-5985
Presentation developed by:
Rebecca C. Money, English/Reading Specialist
Student Support Services; Shackleford Hall Annex; Troy University; Troy, AL 36082
Phone: 334-670-5985; rmoney@troy.edu
PPT dev: 2007/01-04
Program Coordinator: Buffie M. Edwards
Conclusion . . .
SSS hopes this presentation has given
you some useful information.
Feel free to suggest any other topics
that you would like to see presented. Stop
in the Office located in 109 Shackelford
Hall Annex or Phone: 334-670-5985.
Have a great learning experience here at
Troy University.