WHAT IS MEL-Con?

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WHAT IS MEL-Con?
An Overview
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So, why the MEL-CON Paragraph?It will help you
with

• ORGANIZATION
• USE OF TRANSITIONS
• DEVELOPED IDEAS
• ACCURATE AND VALID EVIDENCE/SUPPORTING DETAILS

You will become a BETTER writer!
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M MAIN IDEA (answers the question posed/
takes position) E EVIDENCE/EXAMPLE
(support for position from sources) L
LINK (links the evidence back to main
idea) Con CONCLUDING STATEMENT (summarizes
points and restates position)
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Phil Pusateri The kids of the 1990's are
definitely smarter than the kids of the 1950's.
The first statistic to support this idea is a
chart created by the U.S. Department of Education
which shows ACT scores of kids in 1959 and in
1999. The average score in 1959 was 18.6 and in
1999 it was 21.2. This statistic clearly shows
an increase in standard test scores. The ACT is
a good measure of a student's capabilities and
the increase of scores between 1959 and 1999 of
2.2 means the kids in 1999 know more on the same
exact test. Another statistic that supports this
statement is also from the same chart. The chart
shows that over 80 of all females now attend
college in 1999. In 1959, less than 40 went to
college. This means that overall, more kids
total are going to college. Because more are
going, it only makes sense that overall kids in
1999 are smarter than in 1959. More of them are
getting an education. Yet another example that
shows kids are smarter is the fact that the high
school dropout rate in 1999 is 16 lower than in
1959. The chart shows that more kids are
finishing school instead of working or having
children. This information is another indication
that kids are smarter. When more kids are going
to school in 1999 for more time, it can only mean
that they would have more education. The extra
time has to mean that they will automatically be
smarter from more exposure. There is no question
then that kids in 1999 are much smarter than kids
in 1959 because they have higher ACT scores, more
girls are going to college, and the high school
dropout rate has declined.
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Respond to one of the following to practice the
MEL-CON paragraph style

• What are your goals for Language 9?
• What is your favorite hobby?
• What is your worst fear?
• What really ticks you off?
• Who has been the most influential person in your
  life and why?
• Who is your best friend and why?