Response to Literature Paragraph Format

~FOR SOCIAL STUDIES~

This is the format you should use for each paragraph in your ABC BOOK.

**Remember to INDENT at the beginning of your paragraph <Press TAB!>

TS: / Topic Sentence – tells the topic of your paragraph (one of the three sub-topics)
*Use advanced vocabulary!
*Be specific – don’t just state something obvious!
CD: / Concrete Detail – A quote that you copied from one of your reliable sources when you were researching your term for the project. This is EVIDENCE that SUPPORTS what you said in your topic sentence.
*Don’t forget your LEAD IN
CM: / Commentary – Two sentences that explain how your Concrete Detail relates to your topic sentence. (Think: This shows that)
Must be YOUR OWN WORDS – DO NOT PLAGIARIZE.
Do not even LOOK at your sources while you are writing your commentaries; only look at your CD.
CD: / Concrete Detail – A quote that you copied from one of your reliable sources when you were researching your term for the project. This is EVIDENCE that SUPPORTS what you said in your topic sentence.
*Don’t forget your LEAD IN
CM: / Commentary – Two sentences that explain how your Concrete Detail relates to your topic sentence. (Think: This shows that…)
Must be YOUR OWN WORDS – DO NOT PLAGIARIZE.
Do not even LOOK at your sources while you are writing your commentaries; only look at your CD.
CS: / Closing Statement – Offer your opinion, what you learned while writing this paragraph, or a lesson that can be learned from the evidence you discussed in the paragraph.
DO NOT JUST RE-STATE YOUR TOPIC SENTENCE.
EX: As a result, building the Great Wall of China was no easy task, but the people who risked their lives to build it were dedicated to protecting the country they loved.
(This is not a fact – but it is my OPINION regarding my paragraph’s topic of how the Great Wall of China was built & how dangerous it was – see how the CS extends on the topic a little bit without bringing up new ideas?)
WRITING CHALLENGE: If you want to challenge yourself as a writer, you can see if you can make your CS not only wrap up your current paragraph, but also lead into your next paragraph/sub topic for your ABC page. (This is OPTIONAL)

ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Turning in writing without editing it first is like walking out of the house in your underwear; IT IS EMBARRASSING!

Be prepared! Plan ahead! EDIT!