| 8 and 11 Sentence Paragraph (based on Jane Schaffer's work) |
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| 9 Sentence Paragraph 1. Topic Sentence 2. Concrete Detail 3. Commentary 4. Commentary 5. Concrete Detail 6. Commentary 7. Commentary 8. Transition/Closing Statement |
| 8 or 11 Sentence Persuasive Paragraph* 1. Topic sentence stating the topic and your opinion on it. 2. Concrete detail: supporting your opinion. 3. Commentary: how does this concrete detail support your side? 4. Commentary: how is this concrete detail correct or what makes it valid? 5. Concrete detail: supporting you opinion. 6. Commentary: how does this concrete detail support your side? 7. Commentary: how is this concrete detail correct or valid? 8. Concrete detail: AGAINST your side? (anticipate what opponents might say) 9. Commentary: how is this concrete detail false or invalid? 10. Commentary: how is this concrete detail false or invalid? 11. Transition/Closing Statement *This format is not set in stone. You can move the clusters around. A cluster is a set of 1 Concrete Detail and 2 Commentaries. For example, you can move 8,9,10 to the spots for 1,2,3. To make this an 8 Sentence Persuasive Paragraph, eliminate 4,5,6. |
| Topic Sentence tells me what the paragraph is dealing with. Concrete Detail is a fact, statistic, quote, or statement. Remember to cite if necessary (Sikes 43). Commentary is an explanation of the concrete detail. You might discuss if the concrete detail is reliable or true or relevant. Transition is a sentence that sends me to the next paragraph. Closing Statement finishes the essay with your final though on the topic. |
| 11 Sentence Paragraph 1. Topic Sentence 2. Concrete Detail 3. Commentary 4. Commentary 5. Concrete Detail 6. Commentary 7. Commentary 8. Concrete Detail 9. Commentary 10. Commentary 11. Transition/Closing Statement |