Paragraph and Paper Planning:

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Paragraph and Paper Planning

• Using a Writing Blueprint

Created and Offered by Student Support Services
at Troy University (Main Campus)
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Workshop Objectives

• Teach participating students to follow a basic
  paragraph blueprint (template).
• Teach students a basic essay blueprint.
• Help students expand paragraphs and retain the
  focus of their paragraphs.
• Teach students the persuasive power of evidence.
• Provide students a practice exercise.
• Provide students with supplemental study
  materials.

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A Blueprint? Definitions

• A model
• A construction guide
• A detailed plan of action
• A Writing Blueprint is a Writing Model, Guide,
  Plan of Action or system.
• Writing is a construction activity.

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Why Use a Blueprint?
A Blueprint helps writers stay on task as writers
strive for . . .

• Unity All sentences in paragraph and essay refer
  to the main idea, topic and thesis.
• Coherence Sentences and paragraphs are logically
  organized and follow a definite plan of
  development.
• Development Every idea in the paragraph or essay
  is explained and supported through evidence and
  examples.

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A Basic Paragraph Blueprint

• Topic Sentence
• Supporting sentence 1
• -- Supporting evidence 1
• Supporting sentence 2
• -- Supporting evidence 2
• Supporting sentence 3
• -- Supporting evidence 3
• III. Concluding sentence

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Basic Parts of a Paragraph

• Topic Sentence General statement of paragraphs
  main idea. It is not the thesis.
• Supporting statement More specific statement
  that puts a burden of proof on the writer
• Supporting details or examples Evidence which
  satisfies the burden of proof
• Concluding Sentence a restatement of the topic
  sentence

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An Essay Blueprint

• Three Essay Parts
• I. Introduction starts broadly, usually
  with a topic sentence. Narrows to the thesis
  statement.
• II. Body Explores and details the thesis.
• Each body paragraph needs a topic sentence
  that is related to the thesis.
• III. Conclusion Restates the thesis. May
  summarize body paragraphs contents.

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Part 1 Essay Introduction

• Introduction includes
• A General Topic Sentence
• Clarification of topic sentence with a few other
  supporting sentences.
• Thesis sentence Your Opinion of the Topic

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Example of . . .

• A General Thesis Statement
• Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird should be a
  required reading for high school students.
• A Blueprinted Thesis Statement
• (indicate what body paragraph topic sentences are
  about)
• Certainly, Harper Lees To Kill a Mockingbird
  should be required reading for high school
  students interested in literature, forensic
  speech, history or social sciences.
• (The reader may then expects the writer to
  discuss how students interested in each subject
  can benefit from reading the novel.)

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Part 2 Essay Body

• Supply a topic sentence for Each Body Paragraph
  in the Essay. Topic sentences should relate to
  your Thesis sentence.
• Transition words help establish reading order and
  show logical connections.
• Evidence appeals to an audience by adding
  credibility and persuasive power to the writing.

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Example of . . .

• A Topic Sentence for a Body Paragraph
• (Remember to Indent First Sentences of
  Paragraphs.)

Student Support Services (SSS), a Federal TRIO
program, helps participating college students
achieve their academic goals through its
offering of academic tutoring.
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Example of . . .

• (1) Supporting Sentence, (2) Detail, and (3)
  Example
• With (4) Transitions

. . . SSS participants may request academic
tutoring for general studies English,
mathematics and science. Moreover, SSS offers
basic study skills and basic computer
applications tutorials. After learning in SSS
to use the Microsoft PowerPoint computer
application, one Troy University participant
designed his first-ever PowerPoint presentation
for one of his general studies course. Thereafter
, he made an outstanding presentation to his
class.
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Part 2 Essay Conclusion

• Conclusion (usually) includes
• The Restated (differently worded) Thesis may
  start the conclusion.
• Statements related to essays main points may be
  appropriate.
• A memorable ending. An Evaluative statement may
  be appropriate

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Supplemental Material

• Take a few minutes to study the supplemental
  materials packet that accompanies this
  presentation.
• (Paragraph Construction
• Essay Blueprinting Evidence
• and Thesis Blueprinting)
• Ask staff for clarification, if necessary.
• Please continue to next slide.

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Practice Exercises

• Complete practice exercise 1 Identifying
  Paragraph parts.
• See Handouts Evidence page At bottom of
  handout, read and complete writing activity.
  Write on Paragraph outline sheet and turn in
  Paragraph to SSS staff.

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Troy University Troy, Alabama 36082 Student
Support Services Center for Student Success 109
Shackelford Hall Annex Troy University Troy, AL
36082 Phone [phone]

• Presentation developed by
• Rebecca C. Money, English/Reading Specialist
• Student Support Services Shackleford Hall Annex
  Troy University Troy, AL 36082
• Phone [phone] rmoney_at_troy.edu
• PPT dev 2007/01-04
• Program Coordinator Buffie M. Edwards

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Conclusion . . .

• SSS hopes this presentation has given you some
  useful information.
• Feel free to suggest any other topics that you
  would like to see presented. Stop in the Office
  located in 109 Shackelford Hall Annex or Phone
  334-670-5985.
• Have a great learning experience here at Troy
  University.