TOPIC: 8-SENTENCE

PARAGRAPHS

ESSENTIAL QUESTION: WHY
IS ORGANIZATION
IMPORTANT IN WRITING?

Why do I need to use a format?
Good writing is ORGANIZED, WELL-SUPPORTED, and
SUCCINCT (to the point).
Using a format helps shape your writing so that you
communicate your ideas more clearly and efficiently.

BAD GOOD
Support
Main Idea
Filler
Filler
Quote?
Conclusion
Filler
Topic Sentence
Concrete Detail #1
Commentary
Commentary
Concrete Detail #2
Commentary
Commentary
Conclusion
What is the format?
An 8-sentence paragraph has exactly 8 sentences, and
they must be in this specific order to follow the format:
1. Topic Sentence (TS)
2. Concrete Detail #1 (CD)
3. Commentary (CM)
4. Commentary
5. Concrete Detail #2
6. Commentary
7. Commentary
8. Conclusion (CL)
What is a topic sentence?
Topic Sentence (TS)- the introduction of the
central idea of your paragraph
In English, we include:
Who/What is the subject? Are you talking about the
theme, a character, etc?
Where are we getting this information? Usually this
will be the book.
What is your opinion or idea about the subject?
In the novel, House on Mango Street, by Sandra
Cisneros, the author reveals the theme that
family is the most important thing in a persons
life.
What is a concrete detail?
A concrete detail (CD) is the evidence used to
support your main idea or opinion stated in the TS
The evidence will ALWAYS be 1-sentence found
directly from the source
When writing about literature:
Your source is almost always going to be the text/texts
you are reading
You will use a quotation from the text that supports your
TS
This is shown when Uncle Nacho tells Esperanza, it
doesnt matter how new [Esperanzas] dress is is because
she is the prettiest girl here (47).


Weaving Quotes in Concrete
Details
Quotes must be a part of a sentence. One way to
do this is to use TLCD
Transition- Tells the reader that you are moving on to a
new topic
Examples: This is shown when, First, For example,
Furthermore, Therefore, Also, etc.
Lead-In- Provides context for the quote and creates a
full sentence (not a fragment). Should include a subject
and a verb.
Examples
Himmelstoss shows his cruelty when he ordered Paul to
QUOTE
Paul introduces Himmelstoss by saying, QUOTE
Concrete Detail- quotation from text in MLA format!

What is commentary?
Commentary- where you explain in-depth how your
evidence in the CD connects to your topic sentence
Commentary is your voice and opinion
You need to be specific, explaining your thought
process or what you learned
Uncle Nacho helps Esperanza understand that her
family is more important to her self-worth than what
she is wearing. Her uncles support shows Esperanza
that her family will support her no matter what
happens.
What is a conclusion?
Conclusion does NOT just restate what you say
in your TS.
Conclusion DOES provide an answer to the
question, so what?
Restate what you learned while writing your
paragraph and tell your reader why they should
care.
In conclusion, even though Esperanza does not
have the house that she dreams of, she finds
that her bond with her family and the love they
share for each other is even more important.

For your paragraph on The
Lottery
TS- In The Lottery, Shirley Jackson begins the
story __________ and ends the story __________
in order to ____________________.
CD- A quote that shows how she chose to begin
the story
2 CMs- How does beginning the story this way
create the effect you mentioned in your TS?
CD- A quote that shows how she chose to end the
story
2 CMs- How does ending the story this way create
the effect you mentioned in your TS?
Conclusion- Why is this significant?