Writing a paragraph

Paragraph format

• P –• E –• E –• R –

• P – Point• E – Evidence• E – Explain• R – Response (+ link back to the question)

• Point = topic sentence and comment

Topic sentences

• Topic sentences say what topic you are going to discuss in the paragraph.

• They come at the start of the paragraph.• Every paragraph in the essay relates to

the essay title.• Topic sentences therefore contain two bits

of information:– The task (essay title)– The topic that that paragraph will look at

Examples of topic sentences

• Another way that the idea of growing up is revealed in the poem is through the use of word choice.

• One way the aspect of life of growing up is revealed is through the poet’s use of different imagery.

• Another way that the idea of growing up is revealed in the poem is through the use of word choice.

• One way the aspect of life of growing up is revealed is through the poet’s use of different imagery.

– The task (essay title)– The topic that that paragraph will look at

Possible essay questions• An important experience from the past• A poem in which an aspect of life has been

revealed• A poem which is thought provoking• A poem which is relevant to young people• A poem which deals with an emotion such

as happiness, sadness, joy, nostalgia…• A poem which deals with an unpleasant

event

We are going to look at:

• A poem in which an aspect of life has been revealed (growing up)

Analysis techniques• Imagery• Word choice• Structure• Tone

Additional ways of analysing poems:• Senses• Sound techniques

Paragraph 1

Example

A poem in which an aspect of life has been revealed / imagery

Point:• Growing up is an aspect of life that is

revealed in ‘In Mrs Tilshcher’s Class’. One way this is revealed is through the poet’s use of different imagery at the beginning and at the end of the poem.

Evidence

• “a skittle of milk”• “The laugh of a bell swung by a running

child”

• “The air tasted of electricity”• “As the sky split open into a thunderstorm”

Quote

• For example, ...• For instance, ...• ...as demonstrated by this quotation:• ...as this example suggests:• ...as this quotations proves:• This idea is developed in the following

quotation:

Explain• In the second stanza the sound of the bell

is compared to laughter in this metaphor: “The laugh of a bell”. Here, the sound the bell makes is being compared to the sound made by a laughing child. Laughter is associated with having fun and people enjoying themselves. This example of imagery, therefore, helps to creates a happy, carefree atmosphere.

PEE chains (quote 2)• This contrasts with the imagery used at the

end, for example:

• “As the sky split open into a thunderstorm”

• Duffy uses this metaphor to describe the way lightening looks – as if the sky is breaking open. The word ‘split’ suggests something breaking which cannot be fixed; this could perhaps respect the speaker’s lost innocence. This reflects the speaker’s feelings about growing up.

Response (+ link to qu)• The imagery at the start suggests a happy,

carefree atmosphere as the pupil clearly enjoyed being in Mrs Tilscher’s class. However, this contrasts with the imagery at the end, which is darker and suggests the awkwardness and confusion of growing up. By documenting this period in the main character’s life, Duffy is telling us that growing up can be uncomfortable but also exciting. She conveys the fear and excitement about growing up and suggests how dramatic this is on a personal level – it is metaphorically like the sky splitting open.

• On the page, this will look like this:

• PEE-R

• Or

• PEE-PEE-R

Growing up is an aspect of life that is revealed in ‘In Mrs Tilshcher’s Class’. One way this is revealed is through the poet’s use of different imagery at the beginning and at the end of the poem, as demonstrated by this quotation:

“The laugh of a bell swung by a running child”

In the second stanza the sound of the bell is compared to laughter in this metaphor: “The laugh of a bell”. Here, the sound the bell makes is being compared to the sound made by a laughing child. Laughter is associated with having fun and people enjoying themselves. This example of imagery, therefore, helps to creates a happy, carefree atmosphere. This contrasts with the imagery used at the end, for example:

“As the sky split open into a thunderstorm”

Duffy uses this metaphor to describe the way lightening looks – as if the sky is breaking open. The word ‘split’ suggests something breaking which cannot be fixed; this could perhaps respect the speaker’s lost innocence. This reflects the speaker’s feelings about growing up. The imagery at the start suggests a happy, carefree atmosphere as the pupil clearly enjoyed being in Mrs Tilscher’s class. However, this contrasts with the imagery at the end, which is darker and suggests the awkwardness and confusion of growing up. By documenting this period in the main character’s life, Duffy is telling us that growing up can be uncomfortable but also exciting. She conveys the fear and excitement about growing up and suggests how dramatic this is on a personal level – it is metaphorically like the sky splitting open.

Growing up is an aspect of life that is revealed in ‘In Mrs Tilshcher’s Class’. One way this is revealed is through the poet’s use of different imagery at the beginning and at the end of the poem, as demonstrated by this quotation:

“The laugh of a bell swung by a running child”

In the second stanza the sound of the bell is compared to laughter in this metaphor: “The laugh of a bell”. Here, the sound the bell makes is being compared to the sound made by a laughing child. Laughter is associated with having fun and people enjoying themselves. This example of imagery, therefore, helps to creates a happy, carefree atmosphere. This contrasts with the imagery used at the end, for example:

“As the sky split open into a thunderstorm”

Duffy uses this metaphor to describe the way lightening looks – as if the sky is breaking open. The word ‘split’ suggests something breaking which cannot be fixed; this could perhaps respect the speaker’s lost innocence. This reflects the speaker’s feelings about growing up. The imagery at the start suggests a happy, carefree atmosphere as the pupil clearly enjoyed being in Mrs Tilscher’s class. However, this contrasts with the imagery at the end, which is darker and suggests the awkwardness and confusion of growing up. By documenting this period in the main character’s life, Duffy is telling us that growing up can be uncomfortable but also exciting. She conveys the fear and excitement about growing up and suggests how dramatic this is on a personal level – it is metaphorically like the sky splitting open.

P

P

E

E

E

E

R

Growing up is an aspect of life that is revealed in ‘In Mrs Tilshcher’s Class’. One way this is revealed is through the poet’s use of different imagery at the beginning and at the end of the poem, as demonstrated by this quotation:

“The laugh of a bell swung by a running child”

In the second stanza the sound of the bell is compared to laughter in this metaphor: “The laugh of a bell”. Here, the sound the bell makes is being compared to the sound made by a laughing child. Laughter is associated with having fun and people enjoying themselves. This example of imagery, therefore, helps to creates a happy, carefree atmosphere. This contrasts with the imagery used at the end, for example:

“As the sky split open into a thunderstorm”

Duffy uses this metaphor to describe the way lightening looks – as if the sky is breaking open. The word ‘split’ suggests something breaking which cannot be fixed; this could perhaps respect the speaker’s lost innocence. This reflects the speaker’s feelings about growing up. The imagery at the start suggests a happy, carefree atmosphere as the pupil clearly enjoyed being in Mrs Tilscher’s class. However, this contrasts with the imagery at the end, which is darker and suggests the awkwardness and confusion of growing up. By documenting this period in the main character’s life, Duffy is telling us that growing up can be uncomfortable but also exciting. She conveys the fear and excitement about growing up and suggests how dramatic this is on a personal level – it is metaphorically like the sky splitting open.

P

P

E

E

E

E

R

• Note how the quotation has been presented on the page – with a line break before and after.

• This is how you should include quotations in your essays.

Your turn

Essay title: Write about a poem in whichan aspect of life has beenrevealed

Analysis technique: Imagery

Remember:PEER

Peer Assessment• Swap paragraphs with your partner and

check they have included the following:–Point (topic sentence AND comment)–Evidence (quote)–Explain (analysis of the quote /

evaluation of techniques used)–Response (personal response + link

back to the essay qu)• Write down one thing they did well and

one thing they could improve next time

Paragraph 2

Example

A poem in which an aspect of life has been revealed / word choice

Point:• Another way that the idea of growing up is

revealed in the poem is through the use of word choice. The poet’s use of word choice creates different atmospheres throughout the poem.

Evidence

• “chanted” and “good gold star”• “feverish” and “electricity”

• To save time, use the examples on your analysis grid

Explain• The poet’s use of word choice suggests a

happy, carefree atmosphere at the beginning of the poem and helps to create a believable setting of a school classroom. For example: “chanted” and “good gold star”. “Chanted” tells the reader about the way Mrs Tilscher speaks information to the class – she uses a sing-song voice that the reader will probably remember from their own experience at primary school.

• This contrasts with the atmosphere created through word choice at the end, for instance: “feverish” and “electricity”. Both these words have connotations of excitement and fear or unpleasantness. By using this word choice at the end of the poem Duffy is making the point that growing up can be terrifying but also exciting.

Your turnEssay title: Write about a poem in which

an aspect of life has beenrevealed

Analysis technique: Word choice

Remember:PEER

Peer Assessment• Swap paragraphs with your partner and

check they have included the following:–Point (topic sentence AND comment)–Evidence (quote)–Explain (analysis of the quote /

evaluation of techniques used)–Response (personal response + link

back to the essay qu)• Write down one thing they did well and

one thing they could improve next time

Paragraph 3

Your turnEssay title: Write about a poem in which

an aspect of life has beenrevealed

Analysis technique: Tone

Remember:PEER

Use your tone analysis grids to help you

• Pick one or two quotes and use that for the ‘evidence’ bit of paragraph 3

• Remember the essay is about how the poet shows us an aspect of life (growing up)

• In the explanation consider:• Tone at start = happy / chatty• Tone at end = more uncomfortable / dark• As the children turn into young adults as the

poem goes on, what does the change in tone tell us about growing up?