Jane Schaffer Writing Strategy

How to Write an Effective Paragraph

On EDLINE if needed.
Of course, you will be tested on this
information BEFORE we begin
writing!
Modified by Briana Songer
 Schaffer Yes?! Schaffer No?!
• A formula which makes
writing EASIER.
• Good for response to
literature, persuasive, and
research essays
• Easy to remember in future;
use on university entrance
exams
• Can use formula in both
languages
(English/Spanish)
• Does NOT replace your
own creative thinking
• NOT good for creative or
narrative writing
• Overuse of formula can
be dry and boring
• Necessary to understand
the Schaffer vocabulary,
but this will help you in
the end.
Get Ready to Color Your World!
How to Write an Effective Paragraph
• Materials: When we write, we will use blue, red,
and green pens.

–BLUE is for Topic Sentences (TS)

and Concluding Sentences (CS).
–RED is for Concrete Details (CD).
–GREEN is for Commentary Sentences

(CM).
 Step 1: TOPIC SENTENCE
• A Topic Sentence
(TS) is the top bun
of a hamburger.
• TS = first sentence of the paragraph.

It showsathe
• Usually maincontroversial
mildly idea.
statement--something that you have to
prove.
 Example Topic Sentence (TS)

1) In the fairy tale “The Three

Little Pigs,” the third pig is
very wise.
Step 2: CONCRETE DETAILS
• Concrete Details
(CD) are the meat of
the hamburger.
• CDs = Support for
your TS. (facts, quotes,
examples, etc. from text)
• CDs can’t be argued with—a CD is
evidence that supports your point!
Example Concrete Detail (CD)

2) For example, remembering

his mother’s warning about a
wolf, he builds his house out
of sturdy brick and tricks the
wolf.
 Step 3: COMMENTARY
• Commentary Sentences
(CM) are the “extras”
on the hamburger—the
tomato, cheese, lettuce,
mayo—they make it
delicious!

• CMs = your analysis, interpretation,

explanation, or insight into the text.
Example Commentary Sentences
(2 CMs)
3) This shows that the third pig
is smarter than his brothers,
who were both eaten by the
wolf. 4) It seems the pig is quite
confident in his strategies. 9a
 Step 4: CONCLUDING
SENTENCE
• A concluding
sentence (CS) is
the bottom bun of
the hamburger.

• A CS wraps up the paragraph.

It rephrases the main idea (not
copies word-for-word).
Example Concluding Sentence
(CS)

5) In conclusion, the third

pig outsmarts not only his
brothers but the “big, bad”
wolf as well.
TS, CD, CM, CS—Now What?
• CHUNKING
A combination of CDs and CMs
is called a chunk.
We will use a combination (or
“ratio”) of 1:2. That is, for every 1
CD, you will have 2 CMs.
One Chunk: 1 CD + 2 CM
For example, remembering his
mother’s warning about a wolf, he
builds his house out of sturdy brick
and tricks the wolf. This shows that
the third pig is smarter than his
brothers, who were both eaten by the
wolf. It seems that the pig is quite
confident in his strategies. Ratio = 1:2
 Transitions
• A good paragraph will also use transition
words. These are words or phrases that
help readers connect your ideas.
• Example transitions:
For example, In summary,
Thus,
For instance, This shows that,
Because of this,
Consequently, Therefore,
As a result,
 Does It Flow?

Now you know how to write

a one- chunk paragraph…

LET’S EAT!
 Step 6: A Whole Paragraph

In the fairy tale “The Three Little Pigs,”

the third pig is very wise. For example,
remembering his mother’s warning about a
wolf, he builds his house out of sturdy brick
and tricks the wolf. This shows that the third
pig is smarter than his brothers, who were
both eaten by the wolf. It seems that the pig is
quite confident in his strategies. In
conclusion, the third pig outsmarts not only
his brothers but the “big, bad” wolf as well.
81 word count
 Training Essay
Your first essay will contain:

• ¶ #1= Introduction (40+words)

• ¶ #2 & #3 = Main Body (100+words)
• ¶ #4 = Conclusion (40+words)
 Introduction
• Starts with one of the following:
1.Anecdote
2.Startling Info
3.Commentary
4.Quote/Proverb that you paraphrase
(explain in your words)
 1. Anecdote-Basic
1. A brief, interesting story that makes a
point.
a. Starting w/ a question and answering
it w/ a story.

LOOK AT EXAMPLE #1 ON YOUR

HANDOUT.
 2. Commentary- Basic
2. An intro w/ ALL opinion and personal
thoughts. DOES NOT contain anecdote
OR startling info.

LOOK AT 2nd EXAMPLE ON YOUR

HANDOUT
3. Startling Info- Intermediate
3. Using statements or facts that are meant
to shock or startle the reader.
a. Could end with an exclamation point!!

LOOK AT 3rd EXAMPLE ON YOUR

HANDOUT.
4. Quote or Proverb-Advanced
4. Quote = to repeat a passage, phrase, etc from a
text or professional figure/person.
Proverb = a popular and well-known saying.
a. Following the quote/proverb, you MUST
explain the meaning by paraphrasing (using
CM)
b. General Rule-For every sentence you quote,
you should write two sentences explaining it
(1:2) (2:4) (3:?)
 Thesis Sentence
1. A sentence with a SUBJECT and
OPINION.
a. It always comes somewhere at the end
of the intro.
Let’s practice!
 YES Thesis or NO Thesis?

1.My high school is the

best one around.
 YES Thesis or NO Thesis?

• I have gone to Granadino

for ten years.
 YES Thesis or NO Thesis?

Our football team is better

than last year.
 YES Thesis or NO Thesis?

Australia is a gigantic
country.
 What is PRE-WRITING?
• A process of getting your CDs down on
paper to ORGANIZE before writing an
essay.
• Three types you will learn and can use:
1.Bubble Map
2.Tree Map
3.Outline