Jane Schaeffer

1. Jane Schaeffer How to write a well organized paragraph in Jane Schaeffer format.

2. GetReadytoColorYourWorld! • Materials: When we write our rough draft, we will use blue, red, and green colored pencils. • BLUE is for Topic Sentences (TS) • and Concluding Sentences (CS). • RED is for Concrete Details (CD). • GREEN is for Commentary • (CM).

3. Step 1: TOPIC SENTENCE • An Introductory Sentence (I.S.)and Topic Sentence (TS) is the top bun of a hamburger. • I.S. = first sentence of the paragraph. Try to start off broad. • T.S.= It shows the main idea and what the paragraph will be about. It’s what you will have to prove.

4. Example of an Introductory Sentence and Topic Sentence (TS) I.S.: In Katherine Patterson’s novel Bridge to Terabithia, several characters change from the beginning to the end. T.S.: One of the main characters, Jesse, matures and changes. . NO NO: NEVER EVER use any form of “In my opinion” Ex: I think, I believe, I say, the writer of this paper thinks, etc.

5. Step 2: Concrete Details Concrete Details are the meat patties of the hamburger. • Concrete Details: are the facts, direct quotes, and evidence that prove your TOPIC SENTENCE

6. Example Concrete Detail At the beginning of the novel, Jesse always puts himself down. When Mrs. Meyers, Jesse’s teacher, is reading Leslie’s paper about scuba diving he thought to himself, “Lord, he was such a coward. How could he be all in a tremble just listening to Mrs. Myers read about it? He was worse a baby than Joyce Ann.” (Patterson p.43). However by the end of the novel, Jesse has more confidence in himself and doesn’t feel ashamed of being scared. He admits to his little sister, that he was scared helping her cross the bridge at the end: “Everybody gets scared sometimes, May Belle. You don’t have to be ashamed.” (Patterson p. 154)

7. How to include quotes in a Jane Schaeffer paper: Answer the following questions: • Who is saying it: • Who are they saying it to • What is going on in the story • You should do this before the quote. For example: In the previous CD, we know that Jesse is listening to Mrs. Meyers read about scuba diving and he feels nervous just thinking about it. The second quote we know that he is talking to May Belle after he helps her cross the creek on the branches.

8. Step 3: Commentary • Commentary Sentences are the “extras” on the hamburger—the tomato, cheese, lettuce, mayo—they make it delicious! • CM= your explanation, interpretation, or insight into the text.

9. Example Commentary Sentences (2 CM’s for each CD) The first quote shows how low Jesse feels about himself sometimes. He hates the fact that he gets scared. But at the end of the novel, he is okay with admitting he gets afraid at times, and he isn’t ashamed. He is confident enough in himself to know it’s okay to be afraid sometimes, and he no longer puts himself down for this.

10. Step 4: 2nd Concrete Detail

11. Example Concrete Detail Another way Jesse changes in the novel is he matures by becoming more outgoing and believes in himself. At the end of the story, Jesse, who was once very afraid of crossing the creek because of the rushing water, rescues his little sister, May Belle, when she is stuck on the bridge made of branches. He reassures her, “You just gotta trust me, OK? I’m not gonna let you fall, May Belle. I promise you.” (Paterson, p. 154)

12. Step 5: 2 more pieces of Commentary related to 2ndCD • Commentary Sentences are the “extras” on the hamburger—the tomato, cheese, lettuce, mayo—they make it delicious! • CM= your explanation, interpretation, or insight into the text.

13. Example Commentary Sentences (2-3 CMs per CD) Jesse’s best friend had just fallen into the creek days ago and died. He has every reason to be afraid of crossing the creek. But he doesn’t hesitate in helping his sister. Jesse shows he has matured by becoming more outgoing and has faith in himself. He knows he can safely help his sister because he believes in himself.

14. Step 4: CONCLUDING SENTENCE • A concluding sentence (CS) is the bottom bun of the hamburger. • A CS wraps up the paragraph and restates, in a different way, the topic sentence.

15. Example Concluding Sentence (CS) . Change is one of the themes in Bridge to Terabithia. Many experiences in life cause change. Because of his experiences, Jesse definitely grows and makes positive changes.

16. Three layers You have three chunks: • Topic sentence • Concrete Detail (hamburger patty) • Commentary (lettuce) • Commentary (tomato) • Concrete Detail (hamburger patty) • Commentary (cheese) • Commentary (pickles) • Concluding sentence

17. Put it all together…Notice the color pattern: In Katherine Paterson’s novel Bridge to Terabithia, several characters change from the beginning of the novel to the end. One of the main characters, Jesse, matures and changes. At the beginning of the novel, Jesse always puts himself down. When Mrs. Meyers, Jesse’s teacher, is reading Leslie’s paper about scuba diving, he thinks to himself, “Lord, he was such a coward. How could he be all in a tremble just listening to Mrs. Myers read about it? He was worse a baby than Joyce Ann.” (Paterson, p.43) However, by the end of the novel, Jesse gains more confidence in himself and isn’t ashamed of sometimes feeling scared. After helping his sister cross the bridge he reminds her, “Everybody gets scared sometimes, May Belle. You don’t have to be ashamed.” (Paterson, p. 154) The first quote shows how low Jesse feels about himself sometimes. He hates the fact that he gets scared. But at the end of the novel, he is okay with admitting he gets afraid at times, and he isn’t ashamed. He is confident enough in himself to know it’s okay to be afraid sometimes, and he no longer puts himself down for this. Another way Jesse changes in the novel is he matures by becoming more outgoing and believes in himself. At the end of the story, Jesse, who was once very afraid of crossing the creek because of the rushing water, rescues his little sister, May Belle, when she is stuck on the bridge made of branches. He reassures her, “You just gotta trust me, OK? I’m not gonna let you fall, May Belle. I promise you.” (Paterson, p. 154) Jesse’s best friend had just fallen into the creek days ago and died. He has every reason to be afraid of crossing the creek. But he doesn’t hesitate in helping his sister. Jesse shows he has matured by becoming more outgoing and has faith in himself. He knows he can safely help his sister because he believes in himself. Change is one of the themes in Bridge to Terabithia. Many experiences in life cause change. Because of his experiences, Jesse definitely grows and makes positive changes.

18. Now we put it all together into a paragraph: In Katherine Paterson’s novel Bridge to Terabithia, several characters change from the beginning of the novel to the end. One of the main characters, Jesse, matures and changes. At the beginning of the novel, Jesse always puts himself down. When Mrs. Meyers, Jesse’s teacher, is reading Leslie’s paper about scuba diving, he thinks to himself, “Lord, he was such a coward. How could he be all in a tremble just listening to Mrs. Myers read about it? He was worse a baby than Joyce Ann.” (Paterson, p.43) However, by the end of the novel, Jesse gains more confidence in himself and isn’t ashamed of sometimes feeling scared. After helping his sister cross the bridge he reminds her, “Everybody gets scared sometimes, May Belle. You don’t have to be ashamed.” (Paterson, p. 154) The first quote shows how low Jesse feels about himself sometimes. He hates the fact that he gets scared. But at the end of the novel, he is okay with admitting he gets afraid at times, and he isn’t ashamed. He is confident enough in himself to know it’s okay to be afraid sometimes, and he no longer puts himself down for this. Another way Jesse changes in the novel is he matures by becoming more outgoing and believes in himself. At the end of the story, Jesse, who was once very afraid of crossing the creek because of the rushing water, rescues his little sister, May Belle, when she is stuck on the bridge made of branches. He reassures her, “You just gotta trust me, OK? I’m not gonna let you fall, May Belle. I promise you.” (Paterson, p. 154) Jesse’s best friend had just fallen into the creek days ago and died. He has every reason to be afraid of crossing the creek. But he doesn’t hesitate in helping his sister. Jesse shows he has matured by becoming more outgoing and has faith in himself. He knows he can safely help his sister because he believes in himself. Change is one of the themes in Bridge to Terabithia. Many experiences in life cause change. Because of his experiences, Jesse definitely grows and makes positive changes.