How to Properly Structure a Paragraph

1. How to Properly Structure a Paragraph ENG 4U1

2. The Topic Sentence • Each paragraph that you ever write in your lifetime, but particularly for this course, must have a topic sentence. • This goes at the very beginning of your paragraph, and gives SPECIFIC reference to what your paragraph will be about…

3. Topic Sentence: Example • The short story “Going to the Moon” by Nino Ricci represents a significant tie to archetypes and the various course themes. These are represented through the archetypal loss of innocence, along with certain cultural and economic influences the narrator experiences.

4. Body of the Paragraph • In the body of your paragraph, you will have arguments (points). • For your analytical paragraph assignment, two points in the body section are required.

5. Developing an Argument • Introduce your point • Give proof (referring to the text and/or providing quotes) • Use integrated quotes: Stitch the quotation into the fabric of your explication. Set up the context and analyze. • Provide analysis

6. Set up the context Example of Developing an Argument Integrate/stitch in the quote pieces. Economic influences affect the narrator socially given the narrator’s family’s financial situation (Point). The young narrator refuses to wear his winter jacket when the zipper breaks and his mother sews “buttons down the coat’s front” with “crude holes for them along the track of the broken zipper” (Ricci 216) (Proof). Instead of letting the other students and Miss Johnson see his family’s “poverty” and strangeness” in the “makeshift repairs” (Ricci 216) he wears only a sweater to avoid being a social misfit at school (Analysis). Include citation

7. Point, Proof, Analysis: Repeat! • Continue to develop your arguments using the point, proof, analysis method • Between arguments, use TRANSITION words – additionally, in addition, similarly, moreover, in contrast • Aim for significant & meaningful ideas that show critical thinking, not just retelling what you have read

8. Concluding Sentence • Each paragraph that you ever write in your lifetime, but particularly for this course, must have a concluding sentence. • This summarizes your paragraph, reiterating your point

9. Concluding Sentence: Example • As a result, economic influences affect the boy’s social life at school

10. Stitch the quotations into the fabric of your paragraph Complete Paragraph The short story “Going to the Moon” by Nino Ricci represents a significant tie the various course themes. These are presented through the social and economic influences one may experience. (Topic Sentence) Economic influences affect the narrator socially given the narrator’s family’s financial situation (Point). The young narrator refuses to wear his winter jacket when the zipper breaks and his mother sews “buttons down the coat’s front” with “crude holes for them along the track of the broken zipper” (Ricci 216) (Proof). Instead of letting the other students and Miss Johnson see his family’s “poverty” and strangeness” in the “makeshift repairs” (Ricci 216) he wears only a sweater to avoid being a social misfit at school (Analysis). As a result, economic influences affect the boy’s social life at school (Concluding Sentence).

11. Formal Writing Tips • No 1st person, singular OR plural: • No “I” or “we” in formal writing. • DON’TuseYOU • Eg1: “You will see that my essay…” • Eg2: “This essay will show you that…” • Write in PRESENT TENSE: You must use the present tensethroughout your writing! • The only exception is if you are referring to something that actually took place in history, or before the start of the novel

12. Writing your own Analytical Paragraph Why is it necessary to analyse the hidden meanings behind commonly-used words (such as tribe)? When citing quotations from the article, write the author’s name (Lowe) and the page number. For example: “ . . . ” (Lowe 3). • Using the article “Talking About Tribe,” you will write an analytical paragraph responding to the following prompt: