Structure of an Essay Paragraph

STRUCTURE OF A PARAGRAPHYou should use 1-2 quotations or examples from the text to support your argument in each paragraph. This helps to show the development of theme or character.To Structure a Paragraph – remember PETAL! 1. Point? - Restate the name of the text and author and introduce your argument in one topic sentence making sure it is relevant to the question. 2. Elaborate – on your argument, that is explain and flesh out your argument providing necessary plot, contextual and character details of your text. Assume that the marker has not read the text and you need to teach them about it. 3. Techniques - This means you must introduce techniques which support your argument and are found in a relevant quotation/example. 4. Analysis - You must provide a quote or example and analyse the main techniques used by the composer to convey a particular meaning – this acts as your evidence for your argument. *Be sure to introduce your quote well, explaining its context first for the marker (i.e. who said it, when and why?) Provide quality analysis and be thorough. (*See below on how to do this) This is where you receive the majority of your marks! 5. Link Sentences - At the end of the paragraph make sure you provide link sentences which relate all of your points back to your argument AND the question. This reinforces that you are answering the essay question. Use key terms from the essay question to reinforce this. *When concluding your paragraph, aim to provide some quality reflection on the development of this theme and/or character and the author’s purpose and message to the reader in relation to your question.*****************************How to Provide IN DEPTH Analysis...Here’s how to get more out of your analysis. You should aim to provide about 4 sentences of analysis per quotation that you discuss. Follow the prompts provided:Analysis Prompts – providing rich and detailed discussionIdentify: 1. The technique which is the most important and that you will focus on, discussing its specific effect on the reader. (Avoid generalising) 2. The connotations (associations or allusions) of certain words, which contribute to your analysis. 3. Anything else in the line that creates important meaning i.e. you must consider other techniques used in the quote as well, and how this conveys meaning.You may also consider: punctuation, tone, tense, positioning of the responder, etc.**Remember to link this analysis back to your argument! |

Use the Scaffold to plan the content of your paragraph thoroughly first

PARAGRAPH: Point?: (Argument?) | | Elaborate – give plot, contextual and character details | Techniques in Quote/ 1: | Analysis: | Quote?EXAMPLE 1: | | Techniques in Quote/ 2: | Analysis: | Quote /EXAMPLE 2: | | Link Sentence:Reflection on the composer’s purpose? | |