Paragraph Development: Expository Character Analysis
Essays need paragraphs that follow organizational structure. Following a standard organizational structure will give students the best chance at having a complete essay both from an organizational stand point as well as from an ideas and content stand point.
1 st sentence is always a “topic sentence.” These are never quotes. These sentences tend to be opinions. They have the subject of the paragraph named in the sentence, and the subject corresponds to the introductory paragraph and the mapping sentence used in the introduction. Essay paragraphs that do not start out this way are automatically graded down for organization and often for ideas and content. Normally these are simple sentences.
Topic sentence Example: Jim is a very caring person.
The 2 nd
and 3 rd
sentences need to introduce the evidence you will be using to support the topic sentence. These can be simple, compound or complex sentences. You need to have at least two sentences before you give your ‘evidence.’
Example:
It is not always easy to be caring. Sometimes people can treat you poorly, but I have never seen Jim treat anybody with anything other than kindness.
Evidence:
The next sentences should be quotes from your story, or sources, or specific facts that support your opinion. This might take 3 or four sentences. A complete paragraph will have two sources of ‘evidence’ when possible.
Examples:
During a really bad fight between I had with my brother, Jim reminded me I was “one of his best friends.” He told me that “he could count on me if I needed anything.”
Analysis: 2-3 Sentences
These sentence should explain why the evidence you just presented fits the topic sentence and why it ‘proves’ your point.
Example:
By being able to count on Jim it showed the quality of person he is. His offer of support and kindness helped show just how much I could count on him and how kind he is.
Transition:
Finally the paragraph should end with a sentence or two that leads to the next subject to be discussed in the following paragraph of the essay.
Jim’s kindness is as important as his ability to make me laugh. He is famous for his sense of humor.

Topic Sentence
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Introduction of evidence sentences:
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Evidence Sentences:
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Analysis Sentences:
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Transition Sentence
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