The Jane Schaffer Writing Program

The Multi-paragraph Essay

Parts of an Essay

1. What is an Essay?O A piece of writing that gives your thoughts

(CD and CM) about a subject.O Formal essays include: intro, body pgfs,

conclusionO Diff types of essays (also called “modes”):

Narration Exposition Information Summarization

Write these notes in your yellow JS Writing Packet

Persuasion

Argumentation

Analytical (Literary

Analysis)

Style analysis

2. The IntroductionO First paragraph in an essayO Includes thesis, most often at the

endO Begins broadly and narrows to thesis

3. Thesis StatementO Statement with subject and opinion

(commentary)O Comes somewhere in your

introduction (most often at end)O Acts as “roadmap” for entire essay

4. Body ParagraphsO Paragraphs between intro and

conclusionO Each pgf. develops a point you want

to make which supports your thesis statement

O Each pgf. includes: TS, facts and opinions (CDs and CMs), and CS

5. The ConclusionO Last pgf. In essayO Begins narrow w/restatement of thesis then

broadensO It may:

O Sum up ideasO Reflect on what you saidO Provide more commentaryO Give personal statement abt subject

6. TransitionsO Words, phrases, sentences that link

ideas O Provide a smooth and logical flow to

your thoughts

Parts of a Paragraph

Topic Sentence (TS)O First sentence in body paragraphO For lit analysis and narrative:

Includes subject and writer’s opinionO For argumentation,

expository/informational: includes subject

2. Concrete Detail (CD)O Specific details that form “backbone”

of your body pgfs.O Facts, specifics, examples,

descriptions, illustrations, support, proof, evidence, quotations, paraphrasing, plot references

Transitional Lead-In to a CD (TLCD)

O Phrase that introduces a quotationO Usually illustrates what is happening

in the scene

4. Commentary (CM)O Your opinion or comment; not

concrete detailO Your insights, analysis,

interpretation, inference, personal response, feelings, evaluation, explication, reflection

5. ChunkO Smallest unified group of thoughts in

a pgf. that combine CDs and CMsO Depends on ratio for each mode

6. Ratio (CD:CM)O Typically, Literary analysis = 1 Chunk

O 1 chunk has a ratio of (1:2+) O 1 CD (concrete detail), plus 2 or more

sentences of CM (Commentary)

O Typically, Argumentation, expository/informational, narrative = (2+:1)O 2 or more sentences of CDs, plus 1 CM

O Typically, Summary (3+:0)

7. TransitionsO Words, Phrases, sentences that link

ideas.O Transitions are important within and

between body paragraphs.

8. Concluding Sentences (CD)

O The last sentence in a body paragraph, the CS is all commentary.

O Do not repeat key words from the paragraph.

10/15: Journal – “Camping”

O Write about a time you went camping…(if you’ve never been camping, write about a time you spent outdoors)

O Who went with you?O Where did you go?O What types of things did you do? What happened

while you were there?O When did you go?O How often do you go camping?

Process of Writing & JS Steps in that Process

1. Pre-WritingO Prewriting includes mapping, clustering,

bubbling, webbing, brainstorming, free writing, and outlining.

2. Gathering CDSO Jane Schaffer “Gathering CDs” think

sheet helps you determine which CDs you will use in each paragraph.

O Also helps with providing preliminary CMs based on your CDs selected and helps with your Topic Sentence.

3. T-ChartingO T-Chart is a think-sheet that helps

you begin forming a paragraph with a Topic Sentence, CDs, CMs, and concluding sentence.

4. Web-Off-The-WordO The WOW think-sheet helps figure

out different ways to say something. O Helps develop your vocabulary and

own style of writing.

5. Web-Off-The-Topic-Sentence

O The WOW think-sheet helps you create concluding sentence by selecting the most important words phases and ideas surrounding your TS.

O Keeps you focused & not repeating yourself.

6. WeavingO Blending CDs and CMsO Once you have structured format

mastered, you are ready to move to weaving

7. The Shaping SheetO Step after Pre-writing and before the

First Draft1) Include transitions between ideas; 2) Vary your sentence openings;3) Include different types of sentences;4) Correct Spelling, Punctuation, and capitalization errors5) Add or delete words, phrases, and sentences to create your voice and style

8. Peer ResponseO Written responses and reactions to

teacher- directed component of your partner’s paper.

O Occurs with shaping sheets and first drafts.

9. First DraftO First version of your essay (Rough

Draft)O Combine introduction, body

paragraphs, and conclusions, editing and revising along the way.

10. Final DraftO Final Version of your essay.O Ready to submit your essay!