Constructing a Better Body Paragraph

Constructing a Better Body Paragraph

Here are the parts of a paragraph. Each part has its own function.

·  Main Idea ______

·  Context ______

·  Paraphrase ______

·  Quote/example ______

·  Analysis ______

·  Conclusion ______

Using your understanding of the role of each sentence, use the sentences provided to construct a paragraph in the correct order.

Main Idea
Context:
He wants this because every night, Ivan avoids crossing the local cemetery on his way to the saloon. The villagers pick up on this and mock him for it.
Paraphrase
Quote
Analysis
Paraphrase
Quote
Analysis
Conclusion

People often change their actions because they feel peer pressure; they want to be accepted by the people around them. In this story, Ivan accepts the villagers’ challenge because he wants to gain their approval.

Ivan has always existed on the outside never managing to become anything more than victim of the townspeople’s jokes.

“The customers [townspeople] took up the familiar mockery. ‘Ivan’s mother was scared by a canary when she carried him.’ ‘Ivan the Terrible-Ivan the Terribly Timid One.’”

Ivan was tired of this ‘familiar’ mockery; he would to do anything that he could to gain the villagers’ approval.

One night, after much mockery, (and vodka) Ivan finally decided he’d had enough. He would cross the cemetery he had always been afraid of for five gold rubles, but also for the dignity that he’d never enjoyed.

“The wind howled around Ivan as he closed the door of the saloon behind him. The cold was knife-sharp. He buttoned his long coat and crossed the dirt road. He could hear the lieutenant's voice, louder than the rest, yelling after him, ‘Five rubles, pigeon: If you live!’”

Ivan decided to cross the cemetery despite his own better judgment, letting those around him affect his decision-making. He allowed himself to become the victim of “groupthink,” doing something he never would have done had it not been for the taunts and jeers of crowd.

His actions were perfectly human, though his decision was far from perfect. Ivan’s submission to peer pressure was his undoing; had he not crossed the cemetery, he’d have lived.