MEL-Con Paragraph Writing MEL-Con Paragraph Writing StrategyStrategy

M = Main IdeaM = Main Idea

"Answers" the question"Answers" the question

Sets up the paragraphSets up the paragraph

The first sentence of the The first sentence of the paragraphparagraph

MEL-Con Paragraph Writing MEL-Con Paragraph Writing StrategyStrategy

E = Evidence or ExamplesE = Evidence or Examples

Information from sources such as books, Information from sources such as books, lectures, readings, etc. that support your lectures, readings, etc. that support your main ideamain idea

The "stuff " you learned or found out about The "stuff " you learned or found out about the topicthe topic

Evidence can be quotes, statistics, factsEvidence can be quotes, statistics, facts

Evidence is something that is Evidence is something that is commoncommon -- --anyone can find it or use itanyone can find it or use it

MEL-Con Paragraph Writing MEL-Con Paragraph Writing StrategyStrategy

L = LinkL = LinkLinks the evidence you used to the key idea Links the evidence you used to the key idea in your topic sentencein your topic sentence Explains how the evidence supports your Explains how the evidence supports your topictopic The link is what you think or how you relate The link is what you think or how you relate the evidence to the topicthe evidence to the topic Your link is unique --- it shows your thought Your link is unique --- it shows your thought process and why you chose the evidence process and why you chose the evidence you choseyou chose

MEL-Con Paragraph Writing MEL-Con Paragraph Writing StrategyStrategy

Con = Concluding statementCon = Concluding statement

The last sentence of your The last sentence of your paragraph which summarizes paragraph which summarizes your answer, your evidenceyour answer, your evidence

Mentions your pieces of Mentions your pieces of evidence again in a new, short evidence again in a new, short wayway

MEL-Con Paragraph Writing MEL-Con Paragraph Writing StrategyStrategy

Don't forget to useDon't forget to useTRANSITIONS!TRANSITIONS!

Separates each of your pieces of Separates each of your pieces of evidenceevidence

Organizes your paragraph and makes it Organizes your paragraph and makes it easy for the reader to followeasy for the reader to follow

We will focus on transitional phrases in the We will focus on transitional phrases in the next unit---do the best you can.next unit---do the best you can.

MEL-Con Step-by-Step:MEL-Con Step-by-Step:Identify two loaded words or phrases that you believe Identify two loaded words or phrases that you believe are emotionally charged. Discuss Edward’s intended are emotionally charged. Discuss Edward’s intended effect on the audience. How do you think Edward’s effect on the audience. How do you think Edward’s

choice of words affects his overall message?choice of words affects his overall message?

Step 1: answer the question with a Step 1: answer the question with a statement (Main Idea)statement (Main Idea)

do not start with "I think" or "I feel" or do not start with "I think" or "I feel" or "I believe""I believe"

do not start with YES or NOdo not start with YES or NO

Example: Jonathan Edwards uses words Example: Jonathan Edwards uses words and phrases to emotionally appeal to his and phrases to emotionally appeal to his audience. audience.

MEL-Con Step-by-StepMEL-Con Step-by-Step

Step 2: Identify the Step 2: Identify the evidenceevidence that fits that fits into your key, or main, ideainto your key, or main, idea  

Example: Two emotionally charged Example: Two emotionally charged examples of this are when Edwards examples of this are when Edwards uses the phrases “loathsome insect” uses the phrases “loathsome insect” and “worthy of nothing else”. and “worthy of nothing else”.

MEL-Con Step-by-StepMEL-Con Step-by-Step

LinkLink your example back to your your example back to your key ideakey idea

Example: These words Example: These words emphasize the lowliness of emphasize the lowliness of humans and the torments of hell.humans and the torments of hell.

MEL-Con Step-by-StepMEL-Con Step-by-Step

End your paragraph with a End your paragraph with a concluding statement to wrap concluding statement to wrap up your ideas (Con)up your ideas (Con)

Example: Edwards chooses his Example: Edwards chooses his words carefully to make his words carefully to make his message more powerful.message more powerful.

MEL-Con Step-by-StepMEL-Con Step-by-Step

M: Jonathan Edwards uses words and phrases M: Jonathan Edwards uses words and phrases to emotionally appeal to his audience.to emotionally appeal to his audience.

E:E: Two emotionally charged examples of this Two emotionally charged examples of this are when Edwards uses the phrases “loathsome are when Edwards uses the phrases “loathsome insect” and “worthy of nothing else”. insect” and “worthy of nothing else”.

L: These words emphasize the lowliness of L: These words emphasize the lowliness of humans and the torments of hell.humans and the torments of hell.

Con: Edwards chooses his words carefully to Con: Edwards chooses his words carefully to make his message more powerful.make his message more powerful.

MEL-Con Step-by-StepMEL-Con Step-by-StepFinished ParagraphFinished Paragraph

Jonathan Edwards uses words and Jonathan Edwards uses words and phrases to emotionally appeal to his phrases to emotionally appeal to his audienceaudience. . Two emotionally charged Two emotionally charged examples of this are when Edwards uses the examples of this are when Edwards uses the phrases “loathsome insect” and “worthy of phrases “loathsome insect” and “worthy of nothing else”. These words emphasize the nothing else”. These words emphasize the lowliness of humans and the torments of lowliness of humans and the torments of hell. Edwards chooses his words carefully to hell. Edwards chooses his words carefully to make his message more powerful.make his message more powerful.