Jane Schaffer Writing Strategy Introduction as an upside

Introduction as an upside down triangle This paragraph starts out very broad and ends

I. Introduction A. Hook: attention getter B. Bridge: Connects hook and thesis. C. Thesis:

What’s a Hook? A hook is an attention getter, yet is still related to

Body Paragraphs A body paragraph’s purpose is to prove one of the points set

Body Paragraph structure Topic sentence: lays out the point under discussion Concrete detail: Fact

Conclusion Imagine that it’s the reverse of the intro in that it starts out

Parts of a conclusion A. Sum up your points B. Bridge C. Heart statement:

Example essay prompt Aladdin is both a childhood classic and Disney favorite that discusses

Example Prompt Breakdown Is Abu from Aladdin a good friend? Give three reasons to

Example of Breakdown step #2 Is he a good friend? Yes Reason #1: is

Example Intro Hook: It is often said that, if at the end of a

Example Body Paragraph Topic sentence: Abu aids Aladdin by being practical when Aladdin gets

Example Body Paragraph part 2 Concrete detail: At the end of the movie, in

Example Conclusion Sum up: Abu and his many qualities are there for Aladdin when

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Jane Schaffer Writing Strategy

Introduction as an upside down triangle This paragraph starts out very broad and ends up very specific. Imagine that it’s pointing to your thesis, so make sure your thesis is at the end of the paragraph.

I. Introduction A. Hook: attention getter B. Bridge: Connects hook and thesis. C. Thesis: subject +opinion+ 2 -3 main points (reasons)

What’s a Hook? A hook is an attention getter, yet is still related to your essay’s main idea. Common samples of hooks: Rhetorical question (a question that doesn’t really need an answer): “Have you ever been discriminated against? ” Do Not use this unless the question is really good Famous quotes: “Life is a journey, not a destination. ” Statistics: (to shock and awe)“Eight out of ten teens eventually graduate high school. ” Facts: On June 26, 1963, President John F. Kennedy declared himself a jelly doughnut.

Body Paragraphs A body paragraph’s purpose is to prove one of the points set forth in thesis. It must contain both evidence and argument A Body paragraph’s topic sentence will come straight from thesis.

Body Paragraph structure Topic sentence: lays out the point under discussion Concrete detail: Fact given to support your point Commentary: Argument and explanation that proves your point Commentary: More argument and explanation that proves your point Concrete detail: evidence Commentary: argument Concluding sentence: final point that ties this all together; this connects all the points you have made into an understandable whole

Conclusion Imagine that it’s the reverse of the intro in that it starts out specific and gets broad.

Parts of a conclusion A. Sum up your points B. Bridge C. Heart statement: This statement connects your essay to some sort of broader issue.

Example essay prompt Aladdin is both a childhood classic and Disney favorite that discusses the value of friendship. Is Abu from Aladdin a good friend? Give three reasons to support your answer. Be sure to support your answer with specific details from the text.

Example Prompt Breakdown Is Abu from Aladdin a good friend? Give three reasons to support your answer. Is he a good friend? Reason #1 Reason #2 Reason#3

Example of Breakdown step #2 Is he a good friend? Yes Reason #1: is practical Reason #2: Gets Aladdin out of tight spots Reason#3: is loyal THESIS: Abu is a good friend because he is practical, gets Aladdin out of tight spots, and he’s loyal.

Example Intro Hook: It is often said that, if at the end of a man’s lifetime, he can count on ten true friends he is truly blessed. Bridge: In the movie Aladdin, the title character is blessed with at least one true friend. Abu the monkey is often at Aladdin’s side, even though it means putting himself in dangerous situations. Thesis: Abu is a good friend because he is practical, gets Aladdin out of tight spots, and he’s loyal.

Example Body Paragraph Topic sentence: Abu aids Aladdin by being practical when Aladdin gets distracted by romance. Concrete detail: Abu frees Aladdin from the Sultan’s dungeon. Commentary: Even though Abu is risking death, he uses his lock picking skills to get Aladdin out. Commentary: Aladdin is not thinking of something practical like escape; he is thinking romantic thoughts about the kind of man Jasmine deserves, so he is unlikely to free himself without Abu’s guidance.

Example Body Paragraph part 2 Concrete detail: At the end of the movie, in the battle with Jafar, Abu goes after the lamp while Aladdin is busy trying to rescue Jasmine. Commentary: Once again Abu keeps his eyes on the prize while Aladdin is distracted by love. Commentary: If Aladdin had been being practical, he would have gone for the lamp instead of trying to save Jasmine because with the lamp he could have wished them all out of trouble. Concluding Sentence: At several points during the movie, Aladdin would do a lot better with solving his problems if he were to use his head more often; luckily, he has Abu who stays focused and logical during a crisis, which is the trait of a good friend.

Example Conclusion Sum up: Abu and his many qualities are there for Aladdin when he needs them. Bridge: That’s a large part of why Aladdin is so lucky. Heart Statement: In fact, it’s Aladdin’s ability to make friends that saves him, both with the genie and Abu, showing that friendship is the most powerful of magics.