DetailedParagraphStructureandDescription
(forResponsetoLiteratureessays)
Thedifferencebetweenabasicparagraphandadetailedparagraphisthatthelattercontainsmuch
[Link]
typicalstructure:
Topic/Reason Sentence (tied to a major point -- or reason given -- in the thesis
statement)
o Support #1 broadly explains your first reason and connects to thesis
Detail / Example provides evidence from the text to prove your
support is true (be sure to introduce the quote!)
Commentary comments on and explains importance of the
detail (explains why you chose the quote youre usingwhy it is
important to the essay)
Commentary 2 optional, additional comments relating back to
reason #1
o Support #2 broadly explains your first reason and connects to thesis
Detail / Example provides evidence from the text to prove your
support is true (be sure to introduce the quote!)
Commentary comments on and explains importance of the
detail (explains why you chose the quote youre usingwhy it is
important to the essay)
Commentary 2 optional comments relating back to reason #1
and transitioning into the next paragraph
o Optional Support #3 and related detail/commentary
Conclusion (or clincher) sentence only necessary in a stand-alone paragraph
DEFINITIONS:
Topic/ReasonsentenceThisisthemainideaoftheparagraph,whichthebalanceof
[Link],or
boundary,under/[Link]
[Link](Ithinkthat,Ibelieve)
andbesuretomakeastatementthatmustbeproven.
SupportsentencesThesecontainthemajorideasorproofsthatsupportthetopic
[Link]
Mattos(revised2005)AnadaptationofRonArchersguide.
manyideasthatsupportatopicsentence,itmaybenecessarytobreaktheparagraph
[Link]
sentencesaparagraphshouldcontain;theirnumbershouldbebasedonhowmuch
[Link]
wordssuchasFirst,andSecond,butavoidwordyphrasesthatrestatethetopic
sentence(ThefirstreasonthatIthinkthat...).
Detail/ExamplesentencesThesecontainactualexamplesorevidencetodemonstrate
thepointbeingmadeintheabovesupport/[Link]
sentenceswillbequitespecific/factual([Link]).Alwaysintegratethe
quotebyintroducingitorweavingitintothewriting(nonakedquotes)!
Commentary(orelaboration)sentencesTheseclarifyorexpandontheideajust
[Link]
thathasjustbeenmadewithoutgivinganactualexampleorevidence.(Theyfallinto
[Link]
sentencesdemonstratethewritersabilitytoreadbetweenthelines.)Morethanone
commentarysentenceissometimesnecessary.
Conclusion/[Link]
[Link]
knowhowyouviewasubjectbythetoneorthoughtthatyouleavewiththereader.
(Note:Inamultiparagraphessay,bodyparagraphsdonotrequireconcluding
[Link],thelastsentenceoftheparagraphshouldprovideasmooth
transitiontothenextparagraph.)
DETAILEDPARAGRAPHSAMPLE:
([Link].
[Link])
[Link]
[Link]
bysaying,Beans,[Link],Notagain(361).Insteadofbeinggratefulfor
thefoodthatMiepandtheFrankfamilyworksohardtoprovide,heshowsonlydisappointmentand
[Link],andMieprisksherlifedailytryingtobuyfoodon
theBlackMarket,[Link].
[Link]
[Link],[Link]
here?Youcanimagine...andnowyoumakeeight(369).Inthissituation,[Link]
[Link]
Mattos(revised2005)AnadaptationofRonArchersguide.
importanceofsavinganotherlife,hethinksonlyofthedifficultiescreatedbyaddinganotherrefugee
[Link]
[Link].
SampleParagraphOutlineandcolorscheme:
TopicSentence:[Link].
Support#1:Hisnegativityisapparentinthescenewhereheaskshiswifewhatisbeingservedfor
dinner.
Detailedexample/quote:Sheanswersherhusbandbysaying,Beans,[Link],
Notagain(361).
Commentary:InsteadofbeinggratefulforthefoodthatMiepandtheFrankfamilyworksohardto
provide,heshowsonlydisappointmentanddisgust.
Commentary:Peoplearerationingfoodduringwartime,andMieprisksherlifedailytryingtobuy
foodontheBlackMarket,[Link].
Support#2:[Link]
[Link].
Detailedexample/quote:[Link],[Link]
muchtoeathere?Youcanimagine...andnowyoumakeeight(369).
Commentary:Inthissituation,[Link]
[Link].
Commentary:Insteadofthinkingoftheimportanceofsavinganotherlife,hethinksonlyofthe
difficultiescreatedbyaddinganotherrefugeetothehidingplace.
Concludingsentence:ItisnowonderthatAnneFrankwritessuchscathingcommentsinherdiary
[Link].
Mattos(revised2005)AnadaptationofRonArchersguide.
