Paragraph Writing Organization

1. Thesis: Answer question directly with subject, opinion, why

2. Context of quote: What is going on at this moment in the text? Who is in this scene? Where are they at? Why are they there?

3. Introduction of quote: Who is speaking to whom? Why?

4. State quote: Directly rewrite the quote from the text. Use proper citation at end of sentence, before period. (Author’s last name #)

5. Explanation of quote: How does this character’s action from this plot event explain this subject? What has happened before this event? What has happened after this event?

6. Analysis of quote: Why does this character’s action from this plot event explain this subject? Why does he or she do what is described? What does he or she gain as a result? What does he or she lose as a result?

7. Conclusion: Summarize main reason why the character does what is described.

Opening words To start a sentence (a thesis, topic sentence for a body paragraph, or hook for an introduction paragraph) use a subordinating conjunction. Be sure to use a comma after this introductory clause, and then finish your sentence. Although After As When While

Unless Before Because If Since

Analytical Verbs When composing your thesis and the analysis (why) part of a paragraph, use these words to help your diction (word choice). addresses captures clarifies conveys demonstrates depicts diminishes emphasizes

establishes forwards highlights illustrates implies indicates portrays proves

reinforces reveals shows suggests underscores verifies

Writing Tips

To help you write your best, follow these rules for successful academic writing.

• Use third person (he, she, they) • Use present tense (runs, says, does) – for all

texts, like: stories, novels, films, poems • Use formal language (avoid slang and informal

words, for example: use many instead of a lot) • Be specific (explain it, that, this; avoid thing,

stuff)

Transition Words

Use these when connecting sentences, paragraphs, and ideas together. Be selective when using these since some work only for specific situations of writing. See opening words too.

Again Despite Still Then Moreover Even though Until Most Furthermore However Yet In Therefore In addition For In contrast Always Rather A reason Otherwise Above all