Paragraph Structure: AnswerSupport--Meaning

Paragraph Structure: AnswerSupport--MeaningFor Short-Answer QuestionsAnd Body Paragraphs of EssaysPurposeThe purpose of this lesson is to show how to structure a paragraph in a way that may be different from what youre used to. It takes the introduction, body, conclusion organization youre probably familiar with and specifies a way of focussing the content of a paragraph on supporting an argument.

There are different structuresThere are different ways of handling the introduction, body, and conclusion of a single paragraph.Lets start with a question to answer.What do the contrasting characteristics of Romeo and Tybalt symbolize?introductionbodyconclusionRomeo and his friends go to the Capulet masque where Romeo spots Juliet for the first time. He falls madly in love. Immediately, almost simultaneously, Tybalt lays eyes on Romeo and, furious that a Montague dares to attend a Capulet masque, gets his ire up. In essence, in a moments time, Romeo feels love and Tybalt feels anger. The compression of these events, Romeos pursuit of love juxtaposed with Tybalts pursuit of a fight, reveals that Romeo and Tybalt are symbolic contrasting characters. They are two young men in Verona who symbolize the contrast between two passions: love and hatred.Observationobservation--conclusionNot bad!What mark would you give that answer? ObservationobservationconclusionRomeo and his friends go to the Capulet masque where Romeo spots Juliet for the first time. He falls madly in love. Immediately, almost simultaneously, Tybalt lays eyes on Romeo and, furious that a Capulet dares to attend a Montague masque, gets his ire up. In essence, in a moments time, Romeo feels love and Tybalt feels angry. The compression of these events, Romeos pursuit of love juxtaposed with Tybalts pursuit of a fight, reveals that Romeo and Tybalt are symbolic contrasting characters. They are two young men in Verona who symbolize the contrast between two passions: love and hatred.

This is the answer to the question.This is the support for the answer.These sentences describe the points in the plot leading up to the support.Fair enough!That was one way to do it:

Observationobservationconclusion

Now heres a different wayWhat do the contrasting characteristics of Romeo and Tybalt symbolize?The contrast between Romeo and Tybalt, ones propensity for love and the others propensity to fight, reveals a symbolic contrast between love and hatred. This symbolism is revealed during the masque scene when Shakespeare arranges two sightings, one right after the other: Romeo sees Juliet, and Tybalt sees Romeo. While Romeos desire is to love, Tybalts desire is to fight, to quench the fire of [his] pernicious rage with blood, so to speak, to recall the words of the Prince. The juxtaposition of these human impulses, love and hatred, is not the first revelation of this motif, though; it is evident in the very first scene which introduces hatred alongside love. The brawl between Montagues and Capulets is the hatred in society which becomes embodied in Tybalt when he thwarts efforts to stop the fighting and declares, Peace! I hate the word. Soon after, Shakespeare introduces Romeoa man oblivious to the rage in society but tormented, instead, by love. Therefore, when the contrasting emotions of love and hatred emerge again during the masque scene in an even more compressed manner, the fact that the dichotomy is a recurring motif becomes clear. Through repetition and juxtaposition, then, Romeo and Tybalt become the embodiments of love and its enemy, hatred.Different?The second one was, indeed, longer.

Were there any other differences?

Location location location!One difference between the first answer and the second one is that the topic sentence in the first paragraph is at the bottom whereas the topic sentence of the second version is at the top!

The topic sentenceThe topic sentence is at the top.The topic sentence is the answer.Since the answer is on the top, the sentences below it support it.Each sentence in the body paragraph supports something that was said in the topic sentence.Lets look at the paragraph again. Look for things in EACH body sentence that supports something in the topic sentence.

Find a keyword in each body sentence that links it to the topic sentence.The contrast between Romeo and Tybalt, ones propensity for love and the others propensity to fight, reveals a symbolic contrast between love and hatred. This symbolism is revealed during the masque scene when Shakespeare arranges two sightings, one right after the other: Romeo sees Juliet, and Tybalt sees Romeo. While Romeos desire is to love, Tybalts desire is to fight, to quench the fire of [his] pernicious rage with blood, so to speak, to recall the words of the Prince. The juxtaposition of these human impulses, love and hatred, is not the first revelation of this motif, though; it is evident in the very first scene which introduces hatred alongside love. The brawl between Montagues and Capulets is the hatred in society which becomes embodied in Tybalt when he thwarts efforts to stop the fighting and declares, Peace! I hate the word. Soon after, Shakespeare introduces Romeoa man oblivious to the rage in society but tormented, instead, by love. Therefore, when the contrasting emotions of love and hatred emerge again during the masque scene in an even more compressed manner, the fact that the dichotomy is a recurring motif becomes clear. Through repetition and juxtaposition, then, Romeo and Tybalt become the embodiments of love and its enemy, hatred.

Here are the logical links.The CONTRAST between Romeo and Tybalt, ones PROPENSITY for LOVE and the others PROPENSITY to FIGHT, reveals a SYMBOLIC CONTRAST between LOVE and HATRED. This symbolism is revealed during the masque scene when Shakespeare arranges two sightings, one right after the other: Romeo sees Juliet, and Tybalt sees Romeo. While Romeos desire is to love, Tybalts desire is to fight, to quench the fire of [his] pernicious rage with blood, so to speak, to recall the words of the Prince. The juxtaposition of these human impulses, love and hatred, is not the first revelation of this motif, though; it is evident in the very first scene which introduces hatred alongside love. The brawl between Montagues and Capulets is the hatred in society which becomes embodied in Tybalt when he thwarts efforts to stop the fighting and declares, Peace! I hate the word. Soon after, Shakespeare introduces Romeoa man oblivious to the rage in society but tormented, instead, by love. Therefore, when the contrasting emotions of love and hatred emerge again during the masque scene in an even more compressed manner, the fact that the dichotomy is a recurring motif becomes clear. Through repetition and juxtaposition, then, Romeo and Tybalt become the embodiments of love and its enemy, hatred.

These concepts are stated in the topic sentence and then supported throughout the paragraph.The contrastThe motifs that are contrastedThe premise for contrast (commonality)The symbolism

These are literary devices that support the idea that symbolism exists.The juxtaposition that supports the argument that there is symbolismThe repetition that also supports the argument that there is symbolism

These are the references to the play that are used to support and illustrate the arguments.Act 1 The opening scene of the brawlTybalts declaration: Peace, I hate the wordThe Princes complaint: Beaststhat quench the fire of your pernicious rage with purple fountains issuing from your veinsRomeos delivery of Petrarchan lovers complaintAct 2Moment of Romeos sighting of Juliet followed by Tybalts sighting of Romeo.

The first paragraph provides a short narration containing details that arrive at the answer. It is shorter because it contains fewer points of support. It shows that the answer is true.

The second is longer. It states the answer first and then defends the answer. It contains more points of support. It explains why and how the answer is true.ThereforeNot only does that push the limits of your comprehension and thinking, it lends itself to achieving better unity in your writing.

Unity?Unity

Unity refers to the glue that holds ideas together. It is the logic that connects ideas.

Lets look at logical connections.The question/answer connection.The point of contact between the question and your answer establishes coherence.

Lets look at the point of contact between the question and the answer againQuestion: What do the contrasting characteristics of Romeo and Tybalt symbolize?

Answer #1:

Romeo and his friends go to the Capulet masque where Romeo spots Juliet for the first time.Were focussing on the point of contact between the question and the answer.Now lets try it the other way.Question:

What do the contrasting characteristics of Romeo and Tybalt symbolize?

Answer #2:The contrast between Romeo and Tybalt, ones propensity for love and the others propensity to fight, reveals a symbolic contrast between two opposing human impulses: love and hatred.DifferenceThe first one had a break in the logic that the rest of the paragraph had to recover. The second one answered the question right away.ThereforeYou need to become conscious of logical connections and your line of argument. This line needs to be logical; it needs to be solid and secure. Keep your eyes open and both hands on the pole!

Take a break.That was a lot to take in.

Youve learned (or reviewed) that there are two ways to skin a cat. Ouch! Okay, there are at least two ways (There are more.) to organize a paragraph.

Youve focussed your attentions on the point of contact between a question and answer.

Youve learned or reviewed the issue of unity in writing.

Let's come back in about three minutes.

Youre back!Okay, lets reviewThe second ones longer because it has a longer row to hoe. It begins where the first one leaves off! Romeo and his friends go to the Capulet masque where Romeo spots Juliet for the first time. He falls madly in love. Immediately, almost simultaneously, Tybalt lays eyes on Romeo and, furious that a Capulet dares to attend a Montague masque, gets his ire up. In essence, in a moments time, Romeo feels love and Tybalt feels angry. The compression of these events, Romeos pursuit of love juxtaposed with Tybalts pursuit of a fight, reveal that Romeo and Tybalt are symbolic contrasting characters. They are two young men in Verona who symbolize the contrast between two passions: love and hatred. The contrast between Romeo and Tybalt, ones propensity for love and the others propensity to fight, reveals a symbolic contrast between love and hatred. This symbolism is revealed during the masque scene when Shakespeare arranges two sightings, one right after the other: Romeo sees Juliet, and Tybalt sees Romeo. While Romeos desire is to love, Tybalts desire is to fight, to quench the fire of [his] pernicious rage with blood, so to speak, to recall the words of the Prince. The juxtaposition of these human impulses, love and hatred, is not the first revelation of this motif, though; it is evident in the very first scene which introduces hatred alongside love. The brawl between Montagues and Capulets is the hatred in society which becomes embodied in Tybalt when he thwarts efforts to stop the fighting and declares, Peace! I hate the word. Soon after, Shakespeare introduces Romeoa man oblivious to the rage in society but tormented, instead, by love. Therefore, when the contrasting emotions of love and hatred emerge again during the masque scene in an even more compressed manner, the fact that the dichotomy is a recurring motif becomes clear. Through repetition and juxtaposition, then, Romeo and Tybalt become the embodiments of love and its enemy, hatred.On this side, we have four sentences that want to support an answer that hasnt happened yet.Compare and contrast structure.This paragraph is figuring things out.BAM!Both have their merits.Both methods of developing your paragraphs have value in different contexts. They serve different purposes.The first method takes steps towards a logical inference, a conclusion. The second method starts at the conclusion, so to speak, supports it, and emphasizes it.Next stepsWrite two paragraphs that answer a question posed by your teacher about the piece of literature youre reading.

Write the first one using the first method described and illustrated in this lesson.Write the second one using the second method described and illustrated in this lesson.