Jane Schaffer Writing Strategy How to Write an

Jane Schaffer Writing Strategy: How to Write an Effective Paragraph & Essay Ms. Ohanian Spring 2016

Jane Schaffer One-Chunk Paragraph Guidelines for Essays What is the Jane Schaffer Writing Method? It is a writing format for essays. It consists of a minimum of five paragraphs: an introduction (including thesis statement), body paragraphs (three or more) in chunks, and a conclusion.

Introduction What is it? • A shortened or abbreviated version of the main ideas of the essay • It can begin with a hook, question, an anecdote, image, power statement, or quotation • Includes a thesis statement (can be a three-part thesis statement)

FATt Sentence F = Focus A = Author T = Title t = Text Type (e. g. , novel, news article, etc. )

Body Paragraphs What are they? • One of three or more paragraphs that address the topic or the ideas of the essay • A one-chunk paragraph contains a transition word, a topic sentence, a concrete detail, two commentary sentences, and a concluding sentence

Parts of an Argument Claim: • A statement of opinion about something, which is able to be argued against using the support of evidence and tied together by reasons (opinions that can be supported) Reason: • A statement that supports, or backs up, a claim. It answers the question, “Why did you say that? ” Evidence: • Details, facts, textual evidence, and reason that support a claim (must be relevant to the reason and must be sufficient to support the reason)

Conclusion What is it? • Summarizes the main points of your essay • Restates thesis in different words • No new information should be introduced

Get Ready to Color Your World! How to Write an Effective Paragraph • Materials: When we write, we will use blue, red, and green pens. –BLUE is for Topic Sentence (TS) and Concluding Sentence (CS). –RED is for Concrete Details (CD). –GREEN is for Commentary (CM).

Step 1: Topic Sentence • A Topic Sentence (TS) is the top bun of a hamburger. • TS = first sentence of the paragraph; it shows the main idea. • Usually a mildly controversial statement-- something that you have to prove.

Example: Topic Sentence (TS) In the fairytale “The Three Little Pigs, ” the third pig is very wise.

Step 2: Concrete Details • Concrete Details (CD) are the meat of the hamburger. • CDs = support for the topic sentence (TS). These include facts, quotes, examples, etc. from the text. • CDs can’t be argued with— a CD is evidence that supports your point!

Example: Concrete Detail (1 CD) For example, remembering his mother’s warning about a wolf, he builds his house out of sturdy brick.

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

Example: Commentary (2 CMs) The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house. This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf.

Step 4: Concluding Sentence • A concluding sentence (CS) is the bottom bun of the hamburger. • A CS wraps up the paragraph. It rephrases the topic sentence (TS).

Example: Concluding Sentence (CS) In conclusion, the third pig not only outsmarts his brothers, but the “big, bad” wolf as well.

TS, CD, CM, CS —Now What? • CHUNKING A combination of a CD and CMs is called a “chunk. ” Try combining the details (CD) and the analysis (CM) into one sentence. We will use a ratio of 1: 2, that is, for every 1 CD, you will have 2 CMs.

One Chunk: 1 CD + 2 CM For example, remembering his mother’s warning about a wolf, he builds his house out of sturdy brick. The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house. This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf.

Transitions • A good paragraph will also use transition words. These are words or phrases that help readers connect to your ideas. • Examples: For example, For instance, Consequently, Because of this, As a result, Thus, Hence, Therefore, In addition, Also, Moreover, Furthermore, Lastly, On the other hand, Next,

LET’S EAT! Does it flow? Now you know how to write a one-chunk paragraph! Let’s evaluate it all together. . .

Step 6: A Whole Paragraph TS + Transition + 1 CD + 2 CM + CS In the fairytale “The Three Little Pigs, ” the third pig is very wise. For example, remembering his mother’s warning about a wolf, he builds his house out of sturdy brick. The wolf is unable to blow down the brick house. This shows that the third pig is smarter than his brothers, who were both eaten by the wolf. In conclusion, the third pig not only outsmarts his brothers, but the “big, bad” wolf as well.

Your Turn! - Read the one-chunk paragraph - Justify each type of sentence with its corresponding color Let’s evaluate it together. . .

Critical Thinking & Evaluating TS + Transition + 1 CD + 2 CM + CS In the fairytale “Cinderella, ” the main character feels mistreated. For example, Cinderella must do all of the cooking and cleaning for her family. These chores keep her isolated and friendless. The stepmother is thus able to give Cinderella even more work, which prevents her from going to the ball. Therefore, Cinderella feels abused by the very people who are supposed to love her.

Critical Thinking & Evaluating TS + Transition + 1 CD + 2 CM + CS In the fairytale “Cinderella, ” the main character feels mistreated. For example, Cinderella must do all of the cooking and cleaning for her family. These chores keep her isolated and friendless. The stepmother is thus able to give Cinderella even more work, which prevents her from going to the ball. Therefore, Cinderella feels abused by the very people who are supposed to love her.

Questions?

References Jane Schaffer One Chunk Essay Guidelines. Panama-Buena Vista Union School District. Web. 29 Feb. 2016. <http: //www. pbvusd. k 12. ca. us/cms/lib 07/CA 01902269/Centricit y/Domain/51/JANE%20 SCHAFFER%20 ONE%20 CHUNK%20 ESSAY%20 GUIDELINES. pdf>. Myrtle, Margery Griffith. Jane Schaffer Writing Strategy How to Write an Effective Paragraph Created by Hollie Gustke. Slide. Player. 2013. Web. 29 Feb. 2016. <http: //slideplayer. com/slide/4591665/>. Robinson, Sharon. Jane Schaffer Writing Program Writing an Effective Response to Literature Essay. Slide. Player. 2015. Web. 29 Feb. 2016. <http: //slideplayer. com/slide/5956444/>.