Assessment of Writing…Assessment of Writing…Grab a copy of the paragraph examples from the Grab a copy of the paragraph examples from the front table. front table.

These are paragraph written about the story “The These are paragraph written about the story “The Cask of Amontillado” written by 9Cask of Amontillado” written by 9thth graders. The graders. The story is about a murder which is accomplished by story is about a murder which is accomplished by burying a man alive in a brick wall. The burying a man alive in a brick wall. The assignment was to identify the moment at which assignment was to identify the moment at which Fortunato (the victim in the story) knew what was Fortunato (the victim in the story) knew what was happening. happening.

Read the examples and decide which is the Read the examples and decide which is the strongest/best persuasive paragraph of the 4. Tell strongest/best persuasive paragraph of the 4. Tell why it is in the margins of it. why it is in the margins of it.

Click for examples

Meet the ParagraphMeet the Paragraph““No matter how long an essay is, it really No matter how long an essay is, it really

consists of a series of short compositions. Each consists of a series of short compositions. Each of these helps to develop the essay, and, at the of these helps to develop the essay, and, at the same time, develops its own topic. These small same time, develops its own topic. These small

compositions are paragraphs.”compositions are paragraphs.”

-Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition -Warriner’s English Grammar and Composition

Pieces and PartsPieces and Parts““Make the paragraph the unit of composition.”Make the paragraph the unit of composition.”

-Elements of Style-Elements of Style

Expository/Persuasive Expository/Persuasive paragraphs have paragraphs have three main part, three main part, each has a job to do. each has a job to do.

1.1. The Topic Sentence The Topic Sentence

2.2. The EvidenceThe Evidence

3.3. The InterpretationThe Interpretation

Topic Sentence

Evidence

Interpretation

Topic Sentence—a promiseTopic Sentence—a promise

The title to your paragraph. This tells the reader what the The title to your paragraph. This tells the reader what the paragraph will show by the end. paragraph will show by the end.

Formula: Formula: a specific topica specific topic

+a particular thought, observation, theory+a particular thought, observation, theory

=an effective topic sentence=an effective topic sentence

Write a Topic Sentence Write a Topic Sentence about the picture about the picture shown above. shown above.

“The Mentor of ‘On the Rainy River,’ Elroy”

The Narrator, Montresor

Poe’s narrator exhibits signs of insanity.

Elroy fulfils the classic role of the true mentor of Tim’s quest.

Answers the Question: What do I know or think and about a given topic?

Evidence—whatEvidence—what

The “subject” of The “subject” of your paragraph. your paragraph. This portion of This portion of your paragraph your paragraph puts the item puts the item you are you are examining out examining out where everyone where everyone can see it. can see it.

1.1. Set the evidence in a Set the evidence in a context. context.

2.2. Provide the evidence Provide the evidence to be examined. to be examined. (This means provide (This means provide a quotation.)a quotation.)

Answers the Question: What makes me think this, or what Illustrates what I know best?

Interpretation—whyInterpretation—why Leads the reader Leads the reader

through your thinking. through your thinking.

Don’t assume that the Don’t assume that the reader will inevitably reader will inevitably reach the same reach the same conclusions you do; conclusions you do; explain it to them. explain it to them. However, once they However, once they

have read your have read your interpretation they interpretation they should find it difficult to should find it difficult to disagree with your disagree with your findings. findings.

Think of this as a two sentence exercise.

• Explains how the evidence demonstrates the claims of the topic sentence. (Focus on a single word or phrase in the evidence.)

• Explains how the entire paragraph fits into the larger structure of the essay.

Answers the Question: Why does the evidence mean what I say it means?

Different Ways to Interpret Different Ways to Interpret EvidenceEvidence

Pick a specific word or Pick a specific word or phrase. Explain why using phrase. Explain why using this word or phrase is this word or phrase is significant. significant.

Make a connection. Show Make a connection. Show how this is similar to how this is similar to another well known another well known example. example. Use “Text to Text” or Use “Text to Text” or

“Text to World” “Text to World” connection. connection.

Focus on the context: Focus on the context: details that come before details that come before and after, and how this and after, and how this affects the meaning. affects the meaning.

Time to double check…Time to double check…

Go back to the Go back to the warm-up from warm-up from today. Do you today. Do you still agree with still agree with your selection of your selection of the best the best paragraph. Why paragraph. Why or why not?or why not?

Paragraph BlueprintParagraph Blueprint