Double-decker Paragraphs

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Double-decker Paragraphs

• How to Write an 8-12 Sentence Paragraph

A modified Jane Schaeffer paragraph Powerpoint
created by Hollie Gustke and modified by Trina
Mangione and Sierra Thompson.
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Get Ready to Color Your World!

• Materials When we write our rough draft, we will
  use blue, red, and green colored pencils.

• BLUE is for Topic Sentences (TS)
• and Concluding Sentences (CS).

• RED is for Concrete Details (CD).

• GREEN is for Commentary
• (CM).

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Step 1 TOPIC SENTENCE

• A Topic Sentence (TS) is the top bun of a
  hamburger.

• TS first sentence of the paragraph.
• It shows the main idea.

• Usually a mildly controversial
• statement--something that you have to
• prove.

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Example Topic Sentence (TS)
1) In the novel, The Hunger Games, Katniss is
the bravest character.
NO NO NEVER EVER use any form of In my
opinion Ex I think, I believe, I say, the
writer of this paper thinks, etc. Use of these
will result in immediate 5 grade decrease.
.
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Step 2 Concrete Details

• Concrete Details are the meat patties of the
  hamburger.

Concrete Details are the embedded
quotes/facts/details that prove your TOPIC
SENTENCE
In your summer assignment essays, your CD should
be an embedded quote.
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Example Concrete Detail
2) When Prims name is called at the reaping,
Katniss immediately responds by screaming, I
volunteer! I volunteer as tribute! (Collins 22).
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How to embed quotes in a lit analysis paper
Answer the following questions

• Who is saying it
• Who are they saying it to
• What is going on in the story

In the previous CD, we know that Katniss says it
to the announcer during the reaping. You should
never have a quote floating by itself. It should
be embedded into a complete sentence.
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Step 3 Commentary

• Commentary Sentences are the extras on the
  hamburgerthe tomato, cheese, lettuce, mayothey
  make it delicious!

• CM your analysis, interpretation, explanation,
  or insight into the text.

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Example Commentary Sentences (2-3 CMs per CD)
3) This shows a natural sense of bravery. 4)
Katniss doesnt even need to think about whether
or not shes willing to risk her life for her
sister.
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Step 4 2nd Concrete Detail
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Example Concrete Detail
5) Later in the novel, Katniss is faced with
certain death if she goes to the feast at the
cornucopia, but despite the threat, she decides
to go immediately because Peeta is going to die
if she doesnt go to that feast (Collins 276).
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Step 5 2-3 more pieces of Commentary related to
2nd CD

• Commentary Sentences are the extras on the
  hamburgerthe tomato, cheese, lettuce, mayothey
  make it delicious!

• CM your analysis, interpretation, explanation,
  or insight into the text.

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Example Commentary Sentences (2-3 CMs per CD)
6) Katniss is willing to take on four dangerous
killers to save the life of a friend. 7) Most
people would be afraid to take on such a risk,
but Katniss doesnt even hesitate.
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Step 4 CONCLUDING SENTENCE

• A concluding sentence (CS) is the bottom bun of
  the hamburger.

• A CS wraps up the paragraph and leaves the
  reader with something to think about.
• In an essay with multiple paragraphs, this
  sentence will transition to the next paragraph.
  

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Example Concluding Sentence (CS)
8) Someone who is truly brave, such as Katniss,
will risk anything to save the ones they love.

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Three layers
For an eleven-sentence paragraph, you have three
chunks

• Topic sentence
• Concrete Detail (hamburger patty)
• Commentary (lettuce)
• Commentary (tomato)
• Concrete Detail (hamburger patty)
• Commentary (cheese)
• Commentary (pickles)

• Concluding sentence

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Put it all togetherNotice the color pattern

• In the novel, The Hunger Games, Katniss is the
  bravest character. When Prims name is called at
  the reaping, Katniss immediately responds by
  screaming, I volunteer! I volunteer as tribute!
  (Collins 22). This shows a natural sense of
  bravery. Katniss doesnt even need to think about
  whether or not she is to risk her life for her
  sister. Later in the novel, Katniss is faced with
  certain death if she goes to the feast at the
  cornucopia, but despite the threat, she decides
  to go immediately because Peeta is going to die
  if she doesnt go to that feast (Collins 276).
  Katniss is willing to take on four dangerous
  killers to save the life of a friend Most people
  would be afraid to take on such a risk, but
  Katniss doesnt even hesitate. Someone who is
  truly brave, such as Katniss, will risk anything
  to save the ones they love.

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• Lets try our own!!
• Choose a character from Fahrenheit 451 and write
  a response in which you (a) briefly describe the
  laws of the fictional society in which the
  character exists and (b) show how the character
  is affected by and responds to those laws. In
  your essay do not merely summarize the plot.
• In some works of literature, a character who
  appears briefly, or does not appear at all, is a
  significant presence. Choose a character from
  Fahrenheit 451 who matches this description and
  show how such a character functions in the work.
  You may wish to discuss how the character affects
  action, theme, or the development of other
  characters. Avoid plot summary.
• A symbol is an object, action, or event that
  represents something or that creates a range of
  associations beyond itself. In literary works a
  symbol can express an idea, clarify meaning, or
  enlarge literal meaning. Focus on one symbol, and
  write about how that symbol functions in
  Fahrenheit 451 and what it reveals about the
  characters or themes of the work as a whole. Do
  not merely summarize the plot.