State, Support, Explain Review

1. State, Support, Explain Review Persuasive Research Paper

2. Feeling lost? Alone?Whipsawed by confusion? Does it sometimes feel like there’s nowhere to turn, no one to remind you: What is State, Support, Explain? Well, fear no more…

3. Time for a review!!! Read carefully, a quiz follows! • The State, Support, Explain paragraph format is the recommended format for theme paragraphs OR body paragraphs in a larger essay. • It does not apply to introductions or conclusions.

4. Quiz Question #1 (I warned you!) 1. Which paragraphs in an essay should follow the state support, explain format?

5. Quiz Question #2 2. Which paragraphs in your essay will NOT follow the state, support, explain format?

6. Hopefully you got those right! Our next step is to break down the state, support, explain paragraph into three parts. Ahem… State Support (and, you guessed it) Explain Hooray!

7. State • Your “state” (no, not California) can also be referred to as a topic sentence. • The role of the “state” or topic sentence, is to tell the reader what you will be discussing in your paragraph. • It is the first sentence in your paragraph. • Your “state” will also likely contain a transition word or phrase.

8. Quiz Question #3 3. What can your “state” also be called?

9. Quiz Question #4 4. Where will you find your “state” in a paragraph?

10. Quiz Question #5 5. What is the purpose or function of your “state”?

11. Quiz Question #6 6. Your “state” or topic sentence is also likely to contain what?

12. We now interrupt your review to briefly cover transition words.

13. Transition Words • To improve your writing you need to make sure that your ideas stick together or have coherence and that the gap between ideas is bridged smoothly. • One way to do this is by using transitions - words or phrases or techniques that help bring two ideas together. Check the transition words handout on sharepoint for more specific examples.

14. Quiz Question #7 7. In your own words, briefly explain the importance of transition words and phrases.

15. Anecdotal evidence about the importance of transitions My family was once at a sushi restaurant, and my sister blurted out, “I wouldn’t want to be a lion!” Understandably, everyone was very confused. We could have used a transition to help us out. Well, among other things. If she had perhaps said, “Obviously, I wouldn’t want to be a lion, because I can barely stand to look at raw fish, let alone eat any.” We might have understood her better.

16. Obviously, she wouldn’t want to be a lion, but she left the rest of us wanting a transition. We could have also benefitted from some background information. Which leads us to…

17. And now, back to your regularly scheduled paragraph format review

18. Support (or Concrete Detail) • Your “support” section is where you begin to make your argument supporting your “state.” • Here you provide us with a quote, a statistic, an anecdote, or other concrete example that powerfully backs up your topic sentence.

19. Support (continued) Your concrete detail should most likely be more than one sentence, because it should: • Provide sufficient background information. Tell the audience where the quote comes from and any other important information. • Clearly and correctly copy the quote, correctly format the quote, and use parenthetical citation.

20. Quiz Question #8 8. In your own words, explain what your “support” should look like.

21. NO QUOTE DUMPING!!!!! Quote dumping is when you give a quote to back up your topic sentence, but it comes out of nowhere. BAM. This happens when you do not give enough context.

22. Quiz Question #9 9. Take a guess. How disappointed is your teacher when you quote dump, on a scale of 1-10?

23. Quiz Question #10 10. How can you avoid quote dumping?

24. A good support might sound something like this: Several high-level proponents of gun control have spoken out, suggesting that retail chains prohibit customers from carrying guns into stores. For example, Peter Ham, a spokesman for the Brady Campaign against gun violence has stated, “[w]e think Starbucks should adopt a national policy not to allow guns to be openly carried at its stores” (Simmons). This “support” gives adequate background information, clarifies who is speaking, and uses correct format and parenthetical citation.

25. Don’t shoot me!!!

26. EXPLAIN or COMMENTARY You’ve got some splainin’ to do little girl. How DOES that quote back up your topic sentence? Back that quote up with your own original thoughts, Blondie. If you have any. Don’t you DARE restate that quote, girrrll…

27. The abusive walrus posse has taught us that your “explain” or commentary should: • Prove the logical connection between your support and your topic sentence in your own words. • Explain the quote without simply restating it • Expand on the topic sentence to give deeper insight and understanding.

28. Helpful Hint (walrus approved!) If you begin your explain with “This quote shows…” it can help you to use your own original interpretation and avoid simply restating the quote.

29. Quiz Question #11 11. In your own words, describe what a good “explain” or commentary section should look like.

30. Example Explain Following the quote from earlier, your commentary might sound something like this: “[w]e think Starbucks should adopt a national policy not to allow guns to be openly carried at its stores” (Simmons). This quote shows that Starbucks currently allows guns to be carried into its stores, presenting an unnecessary hazard in a place commonly thought to be safe. If Starbucks employees are truly interested in creating a comfortable environment, they must step forward and ban gun enthusiasts from intimidating other patrons who are simply looking for a cozy chair, a steaming mug of coffee and a delicious scone.

31. Thanks for standing up for me!

32. Concluding Sentence • You should wrap up each “state, support, explain” paragraph with a concluding sentence. • A concluding sentence’s job is to make a conclusion about what you have proved in that paragraph. • It should give the reader a sense of closure. Example: Therefore, guns have no place in retail stores and customers would be safer if major chains banned them entirely.

33. Last Slide-Math time!! • If Eduardo writes a persuasive research paper consisting of five paragraphs, including one introduction and one conclusion, how many paragraphs has he completed using the “state, support, explain” model? _____ • How many abusive walruses appeared in this slideshow? ______ • The walruses were feeling extremely abusive that Sunday. Wally Walrus taunted 14 unsuspecting little girls. Balrus Walrus taunted 5 more young lasses (that means girls) than Wally. How many times did they taunt all together that horrible day?_____

34. We understand now! Hooray paragraphs!!

35. Class/Home Work! To practice the state, support, explain format, your homework tonight is to write ONE body paragraph for your essay. Choose any quote/commentary that you feel are the strongest. Don’t forget to apply the lessons we have covered in this review!!