Developing Focused Paragraphs

1. Identify the purpose of the paragraph: are you focused on ONE kind of example, or are you making a comparison?

2. Write a topic sentence that clearly articulates your main point. If your paragraph is focused on one example, write a sentence that explains the point YOU want to make with that example. If your paragraph is making a comparison, write WHAT the comparison is and the point YOU want to make about it.

Here is an example of a topic sentence:

The "Our Signature" advertisement is appealing to people of all ages. (This is a CLAIM--you are ARGUING that the ad is appealing to people of all ages)

3. Underline ALL of the details in your paragraph that PROVE your point.

4. Put two lines under any sentences that include your ANALYSIS--explaining WHY you think the details in the ad that you have included are supporting the topic sentence above.

5. Cross out any other details in your paragraph for now. You might be able to use them later in another paragraph.

6. REVISE your body paragraphs. Check to make sure you have these elements:

Main Point/Topic Sentence
Introduce the example
Provide the example
Analyze the example
Connect back to your thesis
Concluding sentence