Basics for the 8 or 11 sentence paragraph
Know these terms:
1. Thesis Statement (TS)– a statement having a subject and an opinion. The possibility of disagreement is
always present. Possible synonyms include argument, claim, assertion or main idea. The thesis must be
proved by reasons, not by emotions, in order to be proved valid. The thesis statement is the first statement
(sometimes called a topic sentence) in a mini – essay, and usually the fourth statement in the introductory
paragraph of the multi-paragraph essays.
2. Concrete Detail (CD)– facts and examples that support the thesis or topic sentence. They include direct
quotations from and summaries or paraphrases of literary texts. These must be documented unless they are
in the public domain or are common knowledge. They are another author’s thoughts and words, not the
student essayist’s.
3. Commentary (CM) – the student essayist’s opinions and insights, not concrete detail. Other synonyms
include development, elaboration and explication of the concrete detail.
4. Closing Commentary – the "clincher" at the close of a paragraph or mini essay. It also rephrases the thesis
statement and provides a sense of completion to the paragraph.
5. Chunk – a cluster of CD/Comm/Comm sentences in a paragraph.
Writing the Mini – Essay
A mini
order:
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– essay is a simple body paragraph of 8 or 11 sentences composed and arranged in the following
Sentence 1 – Thesis (Topic) Sentence
Sentence 2 – Concrete detail (example to prove/support #1)
Sentence 3 – Commentary (explains why/how the detail proves or clarifies the thesis
Sentence 4 – Commentary (further explains or analyzes CD)
Sentence 5 – Concrete detail (gives a second example to prove/support #1)
Sentence 6 – Commentary (explains why/how #5 relates to #1)
Sentence 7 – Commentary (further explains or analyzes CD)
Sentence 8 – Closing Commentary (summarizes paragraph, restates topic or thesis sentence, and does not
introduce new information.)
An 11 – sentence mini essay adds a third concrete detail/commentary/commentary chunk to support the
thesis/topic sentence.
Converting to a Multi – Paragraph Essay
Keep in mind:
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The thesis statement for a multi-paragraph essay is generally more complicated than for a mini – essay or a
body paragraph.
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It will have either a compound subject or predicate or be a compound or complex sentence.
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It will need support from the two body paragraphs.
A multi-paragraph essay is constructed according to the following pattern:
1. Paragraph 1: Introduction: should consist of at least 40 words and 4 sentences, and move in a "funnel"
progression from general to specific ideas. The first sentence arouses the reader’s attention and interest, while
the fourth and final sentence is usually the thesis. The paragraph is entirely commentary.
2. Paragraphs 2 and 3: Body or Support paragraphs, which should follow the 8 or 11 sentence, format and
include transitions connecting the main ideas. The topic sentences should refer directly to the thesis. These
paragraphs should have a minimum of 100 – 120 words.
3. Paragraph 4: Conclusion: should consist of at least 40 words and 3 or 4 sentences. The conclusion should
rephrase the thesis and close the argument. The paragraph is entirely commentary.
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