ParagraphsWriting strong literary analysis paragraphs with

embedded evidence

Topic Sentence

Tells what the paragraph will be about.

◦In short answers it is the answer to a question or expresses and opinion

◦“mini-thesis” What paragraph will prove

Concrete Detail

Comes from the text◦Paraphrase◦Summary◦Quotation

Commentary

This is ANALYSIS◦Explains a quote◦Shows how evidence fits a topic sentence◦Answers “so what?” about your evidence

1 CD 2 CM

For every fact, quote, summary, or paraphrase need two COMMENTARY sentences to explain.◦1 long c/c sentence counts as 2CM

CHUNK

1CD:2CM is a chunk.3 chunks per paragraph is minimum

Concluding Sentence

TWO WAYS TO WRITEParaphrase/Restate answer—single

paragraph

Transition to next paragraph—in essays

BEST Concluding Sentences leave your reader with a thought about what can be learned from the text or from your analysis.

Sample TS with chunk

In Waiting by Margaret Atwood, the speaker, Penelope uses a longing tone to emphasize her loneliness without Odysseus. Penelope’s repeated trips to the top of the palace yield nothing but grief: “never the ship [she] longed to see.” Her loneliness shows in the disappointment at not seeing the ship. Penelope herself using the word “longed” further emphasizes the tone.