Writing Academic paragraphs

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Warm Up In Arthur Becomes King of Britain, Kay
belittles Arthur at the tournament. Kay sends
Arthur to retrieve his sword My squire will
do Here, squire, ride hard back to the inn and
fetch my sword. You shall have a shilling if you
fetch it in time (910). What does this
quotation reveal about Kays character?
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• ACADEMIC PARAGRAPHS

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Review of thesis statements

• A thesis statement is the roadmap for your
  paper
• It is a one-sentence assertion of the basic
  argument or arguments which you will make in your
  paper
• It appears at or near the end of your
  introduction

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What is a paragraph?

• A paragraph is a written text (roughly 7 10
  sentences in length) based on the development of
  a single idea which may stand alone or relate to
  a larger topic (lengthier essay).
• A paragraph should be a complete unit- every
  sentence should develop the point made in the
  topic sentence. Each sentence should explain,
  provide examples for, or expand upon the topic
  sentence.

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Formula for writing the basic academic paragraph

• TIQAC
• Topic sentence
• Introduce quotation
• Quotation
• Analysis
• (Repeat I,Q,A)
• Concluding sentence

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• Topic sentence
• Introduce quotation
• Quotation
• Analysis
• Concluding sentence

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The topic sentence

• Topic sentences do two things
• 1. They support your thesis statement. They
  should explain, exemplify, or expand upon your
  thesis. When you are outlining a paper, you will
  come up with a thesis, and based on your thesis,
  create several topic sentences.
• 2. A topic sentence is also like a new mini
  thesis statement. Your topic sentence is an
  assertion which you will support with concrete
  details in the paragraph.

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Formula for a topic sentence

• In (title) the author uses (diction, imagery,
  details, metaphor, point of view, etc.) to
  (reveal, show, explore, portray, emphasize,
  suggest) (tone, theme, purpose).
• In other words, you will state the what you are
  talking about and why it is important.

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Write your own title sentence

• On your handout, write a topic sentence for a
  paragraph with the following prompt
• In Arthur Becomes King of Britain, how does T.
  H. White reveal Kays moral character?
• What do you need to address in this title
  sentence?

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Example title sentence

• In Arthur Becomes King of Britain, T. H. White
  reveals Kays childishness through Kays his
  juvenile behavior and his maltreatment of Arthur.

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• Topic sentence
• Introduce quotation
• Quotation
• Analysis
• Concluding sentence

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Using quotations in your paragraph

• Cite direct evidence from the text that supports
  your assertion in the topic sentence and allows
  for elaboration (analysis)
• Do NOT over-quote. Use only what is needed to
  make the point. You do not have to include the
  complete sentence of your quotation. Use ellipses
  to cut out irrelevant information or simply
  select the relevant words. Avoid quotes that
  simply repeat what you have already said, that
  are too complex to support one idea, or do not
  have anything to do with the topic sentence in
  the first place

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• Find a quotation from the text which supports
  your topic sentence.

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Sample quotations

• Dear father, if you love me, let me go to this
  tourney, so that I may bear away the prize of
  all, in my maiden fight (907).
• My squire will do Here, squire, ride hard
  back to the inn and fetch my sword. You shall
  have a shilling if you fetch it in time (910).
• Well here the sword is. I have it. It is in my
  hand. I pulled it out (913).
• Kay looked at his father. Then he looked at the
  Wart and at the sword. Then he handed the sword
  to the Wart quite quietly. He said, I am a liar.
  Wart pulled it out (913).

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• Topic sentence
• Introduce quotation
• Quotation
• Analysis
• Concluding sentence

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Introducing quotations

• Introduce the example you are going to use from
  the text ? provide the reader with a context or
  frame of reference, for the evidence you are
  going to provide
• Should include who is involved in the
  example/quote, why it happened, what is going on
  in general, when it all happened (in terms of the
  story) and/or where it is all taking place

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• Write an introduction to the quotation that you
  selected.

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Examples

• Using a complete sentence
• Kay forgets his sword at the tournament, and
  articulates a humiliating request for Arthur to
  retrieve it. My squire will do Here,
  squire, ride hard back to the inn and fetch my
  sword. You shall have a shilling if you fetch it
  in time (910).
• Embedding your quotation in your own sentence
• When Kay forgets his sword at the tournament, he
  condescendingly says to Arthur, Here, squire,
  ride hard back to the inn and fetch my sword. You
  shall have a shilling if you fetch it in time
  (910).

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• Topic sentence
• Introduce quotation
• Quotation
• Analysis
• Concluding sentence

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Analysis

• After you have introduced and included your
  quotation, you must write two to three sentences
  of analytical commentary which specifically
  explain WHY your quotation supports your topic
  sentence.
• This commentary demonstrates your knowledge or
  understanding as to WHY THE AUTHOR CHOSE to use
  put this element in the plot or to use this
  particular language or rhetorical device.
• You might write, The writer uses this word to
  suggest that, Through using this language (or
  including this plot detail), the author shows.
• NEVER SAY In this quotation or
• This quotation means

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• Write two sentences of analysis for your
  quotation.

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Examples

• My squire will do Here, squire, ride hard
  back to the inn and fetch my sword. You shall
  have a shilling if you fetch it in time (910).
• What did we say about this quotation?

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Example 2

• Kay lies to his father , claiming that he pulled
  the sword from the stone. Well here the sword
  is. I have it. It is in my hand. I pulled it out
  (913).
• Kay is too tempted by glory to give Arthur, a
  mere squire, credit for removing the sword from
  the stone.
• He not only lies dishonorably, he belittles the
  feelings of his childhood friend.
• However, his short, choppy sentences show his
  hesitation and internal struggle, but he does not
  act on his nobler impulses.

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Now repeat

• You will need to include more than one quotation
  to fully develop your academic paragraph.
• Use a transition, then introduce your next
  quotation and provide the analysis of your next
  quotation.

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Transitions continued

• Transition words furthermore, moreover, in
  addition, additionally, however, yet, although,
  etc.
• Or you can transition by creating an entire
  transition sentence before you introduce your
  next quotation

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• My squire will do Here, squire, ride hard
  back to the inn and fetch my sword. You shall
  have a shilling if you fetch it in time (910).
• Kay lies to his father , claiming that he pulled
  the sword from the stone. Well here the sword
  is. I have it. It is in my hand. I pulled it out
  (913).

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• My squire will do Here, squire, ride hard
  back to the inn and fetch my sword. You shall
  have a shilling if you fetch it in time (910).
• Later, Kay takes credit for Arthurs achievement.
  
• Kay lies to his father , claiming that he pulled
  the sword from the stone. Well here the sword
  is. I have it. It is in my hand. I pulled it out
  (913).

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• Topic sentence
• Introduce quotation
• Quotation
• Analysis
• Concluding sentence

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Concluding sentence

• This should reaffirm your main point ( not in
  the exact same words) and wrap up the argument of
  your paragraph
• Tie it all together for your reader so that
  he/she knows exactly what you are talking about
  and is left with something to think about
• Make your concluding sentence more specific
• Is a good place to relate your analysis to theme
  

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• Write a concluding sentence that reaffirms your
  topic and wraps up your paragraph.

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Example of a concluding sentence

• Kay treats Arthur immaturely and demeans him
  verbally , and in doing so highlights the noble
  humility of Arthur.

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Putting it all together

• When you put together all the elements of TIQAC,
  you will be able to compose competent,
  informative paragraphs.

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Homework

• Write an academic paragraph over the following
  topic.
• Is Arthur (Wart) well-suited to become king? Why
  or why not?
• Use TWO quotations to support your assertion
• Make sure to write 2-3 sentences of analysis for
  each quotation and to transition between
  quotations
• Use all parts of TIQAC!