Paragraph Format

PARAGRAPH ESSAY PROMPT:Compare and contrast Shirley Jackson’s

“The Lottery” and Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas.”

Paragraph Format

Topic Sentence

Support Statements

Concrete Illustration (MLA citation)

Concluding Sentence

MLA Citation: Learn this format and then you are SET!

Examples:

The tricky part is finding quotes and using them correctly to STRENGTHEN your argument , rather than being FLUFF .

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/02/

Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). [FULL]

Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263). [HALF]

Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263). [PARAPHRASE]

Paragraph FormatPrompt: Compare and contrast Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas.”

MLA Citation Example While a great deal of controversy exists over the use of cell phones

while driving, research provides conflicting information on the subject. Research shows that cell phones may actually be helpful in some cases. Matt Sundeen notes that drivers with cell phones place an estimated 98,000 emergency calls each day and that the phones "often reduce emergency response times and actually save lives" (1). Lack of research, however, makes it difficult to determine whether or not cell phones actually do increase accidents. While most states do not keep adequate records on the number of times cell phones are a factor in accidents, as of December 2000, only ten states were trying to keep such records (Sundeen 2). Christine Haughney reports that shortly after Japan made it illegal to use a handheld phone while driving, "accidents caused by using the phones dropped by 75 percent" (A8). This research suggests that cell phones do present a danger on the road.

Paragraph Format Step One: Brainstorm

Draw a Venn Diagram jotting down as much information about each short story as you can. In the middle include what they have in common.

Step Two: Outline Pick three of the comparisons and/or contrasts from your diagramthat you have the MOST detailedand specific textual evidence. Find two quotes from thestory for each of the three comparison/contrasts you select.

Prompt: Compare and contrast Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas.”

Paragraph Format Step Two: Outline

Pick three of the comparisons and/or contrasts from your diagramthat you have the MOST detailedand specific textual evidence. Find two quotes from thestory for each of the three comparison/contrasts you select.

Step Three: Draft a Topic Sentence Look at your three comparison/contrasts from Step Two. What is the MAIN IDEA that you will form into an argument? Write this main idea in ONE sentence including the story title and

author. **REMEMBER** USE BECAUSE!

Prompt: Compare and contrast Shirley Jackson’s “The Lottery” and Ursula K. Le Guin’s “The Ones Who Walk Away From Omelas.”