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Paragraph Guidelines
What
For days marked “Paragraph #X” on the syllabus, write a paragraph analyzing a specific aspect of the assigned text(s) for the day. If you have been given a prompt, then organize your paragraph (and your paragraph thesis) as a response to the prompt. If you have not been given a prompt, then devise your own paragraph topic and thesis. You can focus on a theme, an image, a scene, or a passage. On days we are discussing a secondary text along with our primary novel or film, please take both texts into account in your paragraph and quote from each. The most important thing is that you think analytically and originally, that you contribute something of your own voice rather than rehashing class discussion or summarizing the text. Although an emotional response can be a good starting point for thinking about a novel, for this assignment try to figure out why you reacted as you did or what interested you, and make a substantive argumentabout the text(s). Cite passages or examples from the text(s) to support your ideas. Figure out how the text is put together and what it’s trying to say.
Why
Paragraphs allow you to develop ideas for class discussion, to practice analyzing texts closely, and to develop coherent paragraph structure. I will provide feedback on paragraph structure and textual analysis.
How
· Your paragraph should be about one page in length, double spaced.
· Please word process paragraphs in 12 point font.
· If you run onto a second page, then number your pages.
· Follow proper paragraph structure as outlined below.
· Use parenthetical page citations for all quotations (see p.2).
· Formatbook titles in italics;article, chapter, and short story titlesin quotation marks.
Paragraph Structure
1. Thesis sentence or main idea of paragraph.
2. Explanation and elaboration of thesis idea/main point.
3. Quotation from text(s) that supports and illustrates main point.
4. Interpretation of quotation or example, explanation of how it illustrates your point.
5. Conclusion of main idea, implications of your argument.
Paragraph Principles
Length: One page (double spaced)
Thesis: Begin with your analytical idea, not with plot summary, point of fact, or feelings.
Unity: All ideas and sentences should relate to the thesis topic.
Coherence: Sentences should flow logically and smoothly into one another.
Quotation:Every paragraph must include a quotation from the text(s).
Incorporation: Every quotation must be incorporated into a sentence of yours.
Citation: Every quotation must be followed by a parenthetical page citation.
Style, Citation, and Punctuation
1. Put book titles in italics or underline them (not in quotation marks.)
2. Put chapter, article, and poemtitles in quotation marks (not in italics, not underlined).
3. Use parenthetical page citations for all quotations or references to passages. For example:
Yes: The narrator of Bless Me, Ultima says, “Ultima came to stay with us the summer I was almost seven” (1).
No: On page one, the narrator of Bless Me, Ultima says, “Ultima came to stay with us the summer I was almost seven.”
Yes: The narrator of Bless Me, Ultima discusses Ultima’s arrival as a momentous event in his life (1-7).
No: The narrator of Bless Me, Ultima discusses Ultima’s arrival on pages 1-7.
4. Introduce quotationsand incorporatethem into your sentences. In this way, you will be sure to clarify for your reader who is speaking and what the context is. You will also make a smoother transition between your comment and the quotation. For example:
Yes: The narrator’s description of his home makes clear that his family does not have a lot of money: “The attic of our home was partitioned into two small rooms. My sisters, Deborah and Theresa, slept in one and I slept in the small cubicle by the door” (1).
No: The narrator’s family was poor. “The attic of our home was partitioned into two small rooms. My sisters, Deborah and Theresa, slept in one and I slept in the small cubicle by the door” (1).
5. Please note the placement of quotation marks, parentheses, commas, colons, and periods in the preceding examples.
6. Follow all quotations with interpretation that explains how the quoted passage relates to the argument of your paragraph.
7. Consult a writing handbook to make sure that you are punctuating quotations correctly. As the semester progresses, we will cover punctuation of quotations further, but you should own a writing handbook and consult it regularly.
Step-By-Step Paragraph Goals
You’re not expected to write a perfect paragraph the first time. Instead we’ll break down the writing process and set reasonable goals for each paragraph assignment. For each succeeding paragraph, we’ll raise the bar by adding an expected element. The goals are additive; for example, for Par. 3, you will be expected to achieve the goals specified for Pars. 1, 2, and 3.You’ll be evaluated on how well you achieve the stated goals for each assignment and how well you address feedback from previous assignments.The clarity and depth of your analyses will improve along with your paragraph structure.
Par. 1
Elements: include thesis, explanation, quotation, interpretation, conclusion
Titles: punctuate title of novel (itals or underline) and/or poem, short story, article, or chapter (quotation marks)
Page citation: put the page number(s) for your quotation in parentheses
Par. 2
Thesis: develop a strong and focused thesis.
Par. 3
Quotations: incorporate, punctuate, and cite quotations properly, including dialogue.
Par. 4
Unity: keep paragraph on one topic.
Coherence: make sequence of ideas logical and transitions between sentences flow.
Par. 5
Conclusions: consider implications of thesis and argument in the conclusion.
Par. 6
Keep it all together!
General Grading Guide
10 Paragraph is well-developed, original, and succeeds in mastering the technicalgoals for the assignment.
9 Paragraph is written with care and attention. It is developed and detailed. Aspects of the technical goals still need work and/or ideas need development.
8 Paragraph is acceptable. The student needs to make more effort to master the technical goals and/or develop a thoughtful and focused analysis of the text.
7 Student has made some effort to achieve the assignment goals, but basic fundamentals of writing and analysis need improvement.
6 Paragraph does not achieve the assignment’s technical goals and/or it does not present a focused or thoughtful analysis of the text.
Paragraph Feedback
For each paragraph assignment you turn in, I will make comments in the margins and directly on the page. Please refer to the list of Editing Abbreviations to interpret my marks and comments. I will also give you a feedback sheet like this one with the relevant elements checked. If you have any questions about my marks or comments, please let me know.
¨Assignment is one, fully-developed paragraph ¨Develop one, full paragraph
¨Paragraph begins with a focused thesis idea ¨Begin with more focused thesis idea
¨Paragraph explains thesis and defines terms ¨Define terms/explain thesis more
¨Paragraph quotes textto support thesis ¨Quote text to support thesis
¨Interpretation follows quotation ¨Contextualize and interpret quote
¨ Paragraph is unified ¨Make paragraph more unified
¨Paragraph is coherent ¨Make paragraph more coherent
¨Quotation is introduced and incorporated ¨Introduce and incorporate quote
¨Quotation is punctuated correctly ¨Punctuate quotation correctly
¨ Uses parenthetical page citations ¨Use parenthetical page citations
¨ Quotes dialogue properly ¨Review how to quote dialogue
¨Conclusion considers implication of thesis ¨Consider implication of thesis
¨ Analyzes text closely and specifically ¨Analyze text more closely
¨Syntax (sentence structure) is clear ¨Simplify and straighten out syntax
¨Sentences are concise ¨Revise sentences for conciseness
¨Punctuation is solid ¨Review punctuation:
Comma Semi colon
Book titles Chapter titles
Apostrophes
Tips:
· Begin paragraphs with thesis ideas, not facts or points of plot summary. Then develop your thesis and explain your terms of analysis fully before quoting.
· Place your quotation in the middle or second half of your paragraph, not in the top half. You need to develop your argument before quoting.
· Organize paragraphs around points of argument, not examples. Use examples to support your points of argument.