STATE, SUPPORT, EXPLAIN

Paragraph Structure

Analytical Writing

Makes a claim and supports that claim with logical commentary/argument

Used to closely examine a text Uses direct quotes or paraphrase Provides ample evidence for the claim

TAG

When referring to a text, you must include a TAG: T = Title

Quotation marks for a short story or article Underline novels

A= Author Use the author’s full name in TAG If referenced again, use the author’s last name

G= Genre Fiction? Non-Fiction? Article? Short Story?

State

Topic Sentence (May be more than one sentence)

State your opinion and include a TAG LEAVE OUT “I” OR “I THINK” This is where you write a concise response to

the prompt.

The short story, “Salvador Late or Early,” by Sandra Cisneros uses rich imagery to paint a

picture of how poor and unfortunate Salvador’s family and living circumstances are.

Support

Include a “juicy” quote Juicy???? You can squeeze your own interpretation

out of it. Stay away from quotes that state facts, look for

something that has layers of meaning Find all possible quotes before you start writing!

Use a signal phrase Your words attached to the quote that explain the

speaker and the context.

Sandra Cisneros describes Salvador as waking his younger brothers and “feed[ing] them milk and

cornflakes from a tin cup.”

Explain

THE HEART OF YOUR WRITING Explain your quote: DO NOT RESTATE THE QUOTE!!! Show your own original thinking and interpretation Some helpful transitions:

Clearly Through this quote the reader can assume (or can see) The author describes The author implies Or, just start writing the explanation!

The sensory imagery evoked with the cornflakes and the tin cup reminds the reader that the family cannot afford to have even the simplest of household supplies such as bowls for cereal. The fact that Cisneros has them eat out of a tin contributes to the emotional impact because it makes the reader

visualize a simple old rusty tin instead of a real bowl. Additionally, cornflakes are one of the least expensive (and least nutritious) breakfast

items available which leads the reader to assume that this is the best breakfast that Salvador can provide for his brothers.

Concluding Thought

Bring your paragraph to a close. Tie up any lose ends. If you choose to restate your topic, you must do so

using unique phrasing to avoid repetition. Try to end with a text to world connection/statement,

a broad truth, a universal application or idea.

Salvador is likely not the only boy in this society who struggles to care not only for himself, but for his

brothers as well. Poverty is huge issue in our society and Cisneros does a wonderful job at pointing it out in

a way that melts the heart of the reader.

Transition Words

Do not forget transitions when moving from one thought to the next or when including more than one piece of support: First Although However In addition Another Moreover

FAQ’S

Do paragraphs need a title? Yes, they must be unique to the prompt

“Tin Cups and Cornflakes” How many sentences does it have to be?

Depends on how much support you have Each piece of support needs at least two

sentences of explanation (if you can’t write that much, you have chosen a weak quote)

Typical paragraphs are between 8-10 sentences.

SSE Prompt

Select one piece of figurative language from

“Salvador Late or Early” and analyze its meaning, as

well as its importance in expressing the overall message of the story.