Paragraph Construction

Paragraph Construction Topic Sentence, Quotes and Examples, Analysis

Topic Sentence • Your topic sentence should introduce the subject of your paragraph. Your focus will most likely be on a specific character(s) and the different perspective they are taking. • Example #1: The theme is represented when Uncle Jack attempts to understand the mind of a child when he approaches Scout after punishing her. • Example #2: During the trial scene, Dilland Scout struggle to understand why the prosecuting attorney, Gilmer, treats Tom Robinson poorly.

Quotes and Context • Before you introduce a quote, you’ll have to provide context which tells the reader what is happening, or what the situation is surrounding the quote. • Example #1: After punishing Scout for fighting, Uncle Jack has a discussion with her about why she did it, in which Scout reveals what really happened. Uncle Jack confides in Atticus what he has learned, “Your daughter gave me my first lessons this afternoon. She said I didn’t understand children much and told me why. She was quite right. Atticus, she told me how I should have treated her” (96)

Quotes and Context • Example #2: During the cross-examination of Tom Robison, Dill gets upset with how Mr. Gilmer is talking to Tom. Dill and Scout then leave the courtroom, and Dills says, “That old Mr. Gilmer doin’ him thataway, talking so hateful to him-” (220) • Important note: without a proper introduction to the quote, the meaning can be lost. It is essential that the reader understands the circumstances around what is being said by the characters.

Analysis • After you’ve established the topic of your paragraphand introduced the quote, you have to offer an analysis that ties the quote to your thesis. • Your analysis should clearly show the reader why and how the quotes you’ve presented support the thesis of your paper. • Example #1:In this quote, we see that Uncle Jack has a changed opinion about Scout, and children in general. In order to understand why Scout was upset, Uncle Jack had to view the situation from her perspective. As a result, we see a change in Uncle Jack as he now feels sympathy for Scout’s situation.

Analysis cont. • Example #2: In this quote we see that Dill is upset about how Mr. Gilmer talks to Tom Robison. Dill, however, does not understand Mr. Gilmer’s personality, or the situation he is in. • Important note: Your analysis may not be complete. You must be sure that your analysis ties into your thesis (or answers it). Sometimes a single quote and analysis cannot accomplish this, and an additional quote and information is necessary.

Example #2 Continued • Scout tries to explain why Mr. Gilmer talks to Tom the way he does by trying to get Dill to see things from his point of view, “That’s just Mr. Gilmer’s way Dill…they do ‘em all that way, mostly lawyers, I mean.” (220) In these quotes, we see how Scout tries to put Dill in Mr. Gilmer’s shoes, in order to help Dill understand the situation. While Dill’s opinion of Mr. Gilmer is still negative, we can see that by seeing things from Mr. Gilmer’s perspective, Scout has developed a tolerance for him.

The Final Product • Example #1: • The theme is represented when Uncle Jack attempts to understand the mind of a child when he approaches Scout after punishing her. After punishing Scout for fighting, Uncle Jack has a discussion with her about why she did it, in which Scout reveals what really happened. Uncle Jack confides in Atticus what he has learned, “Your daughter gave me my first lessons this afternoon. She said I didn’t understand children much and told me why. She was quite right. Atticus, she told me how I should have treated her” (96) In this quote, we see that Uncle Jack has a changed opinion about Scout, and children in general. In order to understand why Scout was upset, Uncle Jack had to view the situation from her perspective. As a result, we see a change in Uncle Jack as he now feels sympathy for Scout’s situation.

The Final Product • Example #2 • During the trial scene, Dill and Scout struggle to understand why the prosecuting attorney, Gilmer, treats Tom Robinson poorly. During the cross-examination of Tom Robison, Dill gets upset with how Mr. Gilmer is talking to Tom. Dill and Scout then leave the courtroom, and Dills says, “That old Mr. Gilmer doin’ him thataway, talking so hateful to him-” (220) In this quote we see that Dill is upset about how Mr. Gilmer talks to Tom Robison. Dill, however, does not understand Mr. Gilmer’s personality, or the situation he is in. Scout tries to explain why Mr. Gilmer talks to Tom the way he does by trying to get Dill to see things from his point of view, “That’s just Mr. Gilmer’s way Dill…they do ‘em all that way, mostly lawyers, I mean.” (220) In these quotes, we see how Scout tries to put Dill in Mr. Gilmer’s shoes, in order to help Dill understand the situation. While Dill’s opinion of Mr. Gilmer is still negative, we can see that by seeing things from Mr. Gilmer’s perspective, Scout has developed a tolerance for him.

Your job… • Based on the focus of your thesis, begin your first paragraph by following the above steps. • What you’ll need: • Characters • Quotes • Page numbers

Paragraph Construction