How to write a short response paragraph mine
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This document provides instructions for writing a short response paragraph. It begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding the prompt question and forming a clear thesis or claim to answer. The thesis should take the form of a topic plus a debatable opinion. Two common thesis formats are presented: using "Although" to state the opposite view that will be disproven, or a three-part thesis giving the broad argument and three supporting reasons. Body paragraphs should each include a topic sentence, three quotes or details from the text as evidence, and commentary explaining how the evidence supports the topic sentence. Paragraphs are concluded by summarizing how the evidence proves the thesis.
How to write a short response paragraph mine
- 1. How to Write a Short Response Paragraph—the Basics By Mrs. W. Scruggs Pinecrest
- 2. Before you start, make sure you understand the question! • What does the prompt ask you to do or answer? • What do you want to prove to answer the prompt? • This answer will become the CLAIM (THESIS) you will prove with your essay. • So what is a thesis/claim? – Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion – If the thesis isn’t debatable, then you have nothing to prove. There are some easy ways to do this. This is the most important sentence for your essay. If this is weak, then your essay will be weak, too!
- 3. Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion So there are a couple of ways to simply give yourself something to prove with most essay prompts: 1. Although…, … With this thesis starter, you start with a dependent clause that is the opposite of what you want to prove, then state what you really think. ***DO NOT EVER WRITE “I’m going to show, I’m going to prove, or anything with I in it!!!! That is NOT formal writing for academic purposes. Example: Although the princess in “The Lady or the Tiger” loves the youth and wants to be with him, she cannot overcome her own nature and sends him to his death. Dependent clause that is the opposite of your claim! Independent clause that is what you will prove in your essay!
- 4. Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion 2. 3-part thesis statement …because + 3 reasons With this thesis starter, you start with a statement of what you want to prove broadly, because…then you give 3 reasons why. It should *Be arguable *Have three parts *Be parallel in structure Sample of how to form it: I want to argue that social network sites are good for kids and society. Now I need to think of three points Social networks… (this is your broad idea or issue) Connect people (key point #1) Educate people (key point #2) Entertain people (key point #3) Notice that each part of the prong starts with a verb in the same form. This is parallel structure For a paragraph, each point will be supported with a detail from the piece or image!
- 5. THE Body Paragraph Format: TS (topic sentence): this is the THESIS (CLAIM) that you will prove in this paragraph. *CD/E #1(Concrete Detail/Evidence sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as For instance, ….and then a quote from the text. *Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic. *CD/E #2(Concrete Detail/Evidence sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as For instance, ….and then a quote from the text. *Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic. *CD/E #3(Concrete Detail/Evidence sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as For instance, ….and then a quote from the text. *Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic. Conclusion (Summary sentence): this is a summary (1 sentence) explaining how this topic proves your thesis. An easy way to do this is to start with Because...(then state your three points from evidence--don’t re-write the quotes)…, then the word proves that … (insert the idea from your topic sentence). You will write at LEAST 3 of these body paragraphs. You write MORE if the paper is longer—or for AP!!
- 6. Never write the words In conclusion!! If you do this, it’s VERY WEAK and you’re NOT concluding it!!! Just do what I’ve told you to do.