How To Write a Paragraph The TEEAS Paragraph

How To Write a Paragraph The TEEAS Paragraph Format 1

What does TEEAS stand for? • TEEAS is an acronym that helps us to organize a paragraph. • Please write T-E-E-A-S vertically down your page, leaving spaces in between to take notes on each part. • As you take notes, only write down what is underlined! I will explain the rest. 2

Step 1: TOPIC SENTENCE • A Topic Sentence (T) is the top bun of a hamburger. • T = Topic Sentence: first sentence of the paragraph that shows the main idea. 3

Example Topic Sentence (T) 1) In the article “Our Digital Identity, ” the author warns readers to be careful about what they post online. 4

Step 2: EVIDENCE • Evidence (E) are the meat of the burger. • E = Evidence: Support for your T (facts, quotes, examples from text) • You can’t argue with the E because it is evidence that supports your point! 5

Example Evidence (E) 2) For example, the author explains that “. . . ” (page 1). 6

Step 3: EXPLANATION • Explanation Sentences (E) are the “extras” on the hamburger—they make it delicious! • E = Explanation: your interpretation of what the evidence means. Paraphrase the evidence. 7

Example Explanation Sentence ( E) 3) In this quote, the author explains how the things we do on the internet are not saved on our personal computers, but on the computers of the companies that give us internet. 8

Step 4: Analysis • Analysis Sentences (A) bring out the extra meaning in your evidence just like salt and pepper bring out extra flavor in a burger. • A = Analysis: how the evidence proves your claim in your topic sentence (TS). Your analysis shows the importance of your evidence. 9

Example Analysis Sentence ( A) 4) For this reason, the author urges that readers need to be careful since something that they post online is never truly erased. 10

Step 5: SUM IT UPConcluding Sentence • SUM it up is your concluding sentence (S). It is the bottom bun of the hamburger. • S=Sum it Up: rephrases the main idea from the topic sentence (TS) so we come back full “circle” to the beginning. 11

Example Concluding Sentence (S) 5) In conclusion, people must be careful of what they put on the internet if they do not want to give the wrong impression. 12

Step 6: A Whole Paragraph In the article “Our Digital Identity, ” the author warns readers to be careful about what they post online. For example, the author explains that “. . . ”(page 1). In this quote, the author is explaining how the things we do on the internet are not saved on our personal computers, but on the computers of the companies that give us internet. For this reason, the author urges that readers need to be careful since something that they post online is never truly erased. In conclusion, people must be careful of what they put on the internet if they do 13 not want to give the wrong impression.

Note Making Go back to your notes and make them more clear for you to use in the future. 1. Number each chunk of information 2. Circle any key terms 3. Underline the main idea in each chunk of information 14

Find the Lemon! After school activities help students in many ways. For example, they can help build teamwork, a strong work ethic, and friendships. Being part of a group or team helps you get to know people, and it forces you to work hard to keep up your teammates. These skills are important. In conclusion, after school activities are beneficial to students and help them prepare for the real world. 15

Corrected After school activities help students in many ways. For example, they can help build teamwork, a strong work ethic, and friendships. Being part of a group or team helps you get to know people, and it forces you to work hard to keep up your teammates. These skills are important because they prepare students for working in groups at school or in the workplace. In conclusion, after school activities are beneficial to students and help them prepare for the real world. 16

Find the Lemon! Every day after school I play. Specifically, every time I go to soccer practice, I get to play with my friends. This means I get to spend time with people who are close to me, while also learning a sport at the same time. This shows that soccer is a great way to spend my time because it helps me develop my friendships while I practice. All in all, soccer is my favorite afterschool activity because it gives me a chance to bond with other people and work together as a team. 17

Corrected! Soccer is my favorite extracurricular activity because it is a social sport. Specifically, every time I go to soccer practice, I get to play with my friends. This means I get to spend time with people who are close to me, while also learning a sport at the same time. This shows that soccer is a great way to spend my time because it helps me develop my friendships while I practice. All in all, soccer is my favorite afterschool activity because it gives me a chance to bond with other people and work together as a team. 18

Find the Lemon! Dogs are much better pets than cats because they can help protect your house. For instance, dogs bark. This clearly shows that dogs are able to identify unknown people and warn you when they are near. This is important because a dog’s barking can help the family to know when there may be a dangerous person outside and therefore be prepared to protect themselves. Overall, one can plainly see that dogs are the superior pet because they can help keep their family safe from strangers who may try to enter 19 the home.

Corrected! Dogs are much better pets than cats because they can help protect your house. For instance, many dogs bark when there is a stranger that comes near the house. This clearly shows that dogs are able to identify unknown people and warn you when they are near. This is important because a dog’s barking can help the family to know when there may be a dangerous person outside and therefore be prepared to protect themselves. Overall, one can plainly see that dogs are the superior pet because they can help keep 20 their family safe from strangers who may try to enter the home.

Notes Summary It is important to have an organized paragraph because _______. The acronym for a body paragraph is ______. The T stands for ______. The first E is _____. The second E is ____. During the A you _____. Finally, the S is ____. 21