A Structured Paragraph

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A Structured Paragraph

• An example of

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11 sentences

• In the following paragraph, the author is
  analyzing theme in a popular short story.

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Topic sentence

• In the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, by
  Charles Perrault, one of the dominant themes is
  that a person should not trust just anyone.
• Make a claim! Include authors name and title
  of work.

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elaborate

• The author suggests that those who look
  suspicious typically are dangerous.
• Why is the claim true?

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Quote introduction

• For example, at grandmothers house, Little Red
  Riding Hood is suspicious of her grandmothers
  unusually big ears.
• Pick out your quote first!

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Concrete detail

• She says, Grandmother, what big ears you have
  (3).
• Use a quote that supports your claim

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commentary

• Clearly the huge ears reveal that this is not
  her grandmother.
• Explain the context (situation revolving
  around) of your quote

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elaboration

• Although she is a little surprised by this,
  Little Red Riding Hood is reassured by her
  grandmother and dismisses her reservations.
• Relate your quote back to your topic sentence

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transition

• However, her suspicions continue as she notices
  yet another strange thing about her grandmother
  her eyes.
• Use a transition to switch to another piece of
  evidence

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Concrete detail

• Little Red exclaims, Grandmother, what a big
  eyes you have! (6).
• use another quote that supports your claim (make
  sure its from a different part of the story)

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commentary

• Again, her concerns are put to rest.
• explain the context of your quote

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elaboration

• Her naivete prevents her from recognizing the
  immediate danger and running away right then.
• relate your quote and commentary back to your
  claim (topic sentence)

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Conclusion

• Little Red loses her life because she is too
  trusting and believing of the wolf. The author
  shows that Little Red Riding Hoods lack of
  awareness and her trusting nature ended her life
  in the most tragic of ways.
• wrap up the point you proved in 1-2 sentences

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The whole paragraph

• In the fairy tale Little Red Riding Hood, by
  Charles Perrault, one of the dominant themes is
  that a person should not trust just anyone. The
  author suggests that those who look suspicious
  typically are dangerous. For example, at
  grandmothers house, Little Red Riding Hood is
  suspicious of her grandmothers unusually big
  ears. She says, Grandmother, what big ears you
  have (2). Clearly the huge ears reveal that this
  is not her grandmother. Although she is a little
  surprised by this, Little Red Riding Hood is
  reassured by her grandmother and dismisses her
  reservations. However, her suspicions continue as
  she notices yet another strange thing about her
  grandmother her eyes. Little Red exclaims,
  Grandmother, what big eyes you have! (2).
  Again, her concerns are put to rest. Her naivete
  prevents her from recognizing the immediate
  danger and running away right then. Little Red
  loses her life because she is too trusting and
  believing of the wolf. The author shows that
  Little Red Riding Hoods lack of awareness and
  her trusting nature ended her life in the most
  tragic of ways.