Using Maps to Plan and Write Body Paragraphs
Instructions:
Submit the following 3 steps in a single MLA-formatted Word document.
STEP 1: First, focus on crafting effective topic sentences that can stand alone and still convey a clear idea for each rhetorical mode. Write three unique topic sentences that could serve as the foundation for a potential paragraph in an essay. Each belongs at the top of one of the maps below.
STEP 2: Using each map that outlines the essential components of a well-structured body paragraph, fill in the accompanying details that include potential sensory descriptions, supporting details, examples, or evidence you might use to develop that paragraph. Ensure that your supporting details relate back to the topic sentence and contribute to the overall topic.
STEP 3: Choose
one
of your maps to draft into a fully developed body paragraph. Start with a strong topic sentence and ensure your paragraph is well-organized so that everyone can clearly understand your purpose. Remember to end with a sentence that wraps up your topic.
1. NARRATIVE TOPIC OPTIONS: a unique event from your life that has a lesson, your experience with a family tradition, OR a time you traveled to a new place.
·
Example: Traveling in an airplane on a long flight makes me feel claustrophobic.
List all possible supporting details: specific points in time, sensory descriptions (sight, sound, touch, smell), emotions or feelings, or dialogue; add potential examples, evidence, and explanations. Provide vivid details to show rather than tell. Add any dialogue if necessary. Make sure to show the relationships between your details, like
later, next, then, meanwhile, after, before, or
as. Your concluding sentence should wrap up the paragraph.
2. CAUSE/EFFECT TOPIC OPTIONS: the reasons for or results of buying a car, moving to a new place, OR beginning a new job.
·
Example: One negative consequence of buying a new car is the increase in insurance premium payments.
3. ARGUMENT TOPIC OPTIONS: your opinion on whether e-textbooks are better than physical textbooks for learning, should banned books be allowed in school libraries, OR does social media improve or reduce the quality of real-life friendships.
·
Example: School libraries should allow banned books so that students can learn about and understand all cultures and beliefs.
List all possible supporting evidence: specific points, potential reasons, valid motives, impacts, or consequences; add specific details, potential examples, evidence, and explanations. Links between your reasons and details should be clear and logical; include transitions to show the relationships between your details, like
for example, in addition, clearly shows, or
furthermore. Your concluding sentence should stress the reasoning for why your point is important.
STEP 3: Choose
one
of your maps to draft into a fully developed body paragraph. Start with a strong topic sentence and ensure your paragraph is well-organized so that everyone can clearly understand your purpose. Remember to end with a sentence that wraps up your topic.
submission:
Your submission should include all 3 completed maps and a single paragraph in an MLA-formatted Word or PDF document.
Topic Sentence
–
Supporting Details
–
Explanation of connections to supporting details
–
Conclusion
State your claim.
–
Supporting Evidence
–
Explanation of connections to evidence
–
Conclusion
Topic Sentence
–
Sensory Support
–
Explanation of connections to support
–
Conclusion
