Developing a Paragraph

Christine Wells

Point: use language from the essay topic.Explanation - explain where this is seen in the text.Example - quote/technique. Explain the quote/technique.Link - what do we learn about a character? How is this seen in society? What do we learn about human nature or behaviour? Refer back to essay topic.

Paragraph Structure

What's the Point?

The point is the controlling idea of the paragraph. It is the main thing that you want to communicate.

For example:Job helped me to understand the important message of overcoming adversity when he escaped from his uncaring family.

ESSAY TOPICDescribe at least ONE character or

individual in the written text(s) that helped you to understand an

important message.Explain how the character or

individual helped you to understand this message.

💡TIP💡Use language from the

essay topic.

Explain the Point

Explain your point further by giving more information.For example:Job is an 11 year old boy who is brought up by a mother who did not want him and a step father who physically abuses him.

Give an ExampleAn example acts as evidence to support the point you have made. Your example must include quotes.

For example:The reader learns that Job's mother did not want him when she tells Job, ‘It was the beginning of all my problems, the day you fell out of my crack. I should’ve shoved you straight back up there.’ For his mother, Job was nothing more than, '...a ticket to the DPB.'

💡TIP💡Using the word 'reader' shows the marker that

you understand that there is a relationship between the writer and the reader.

Explain the Example

Explain the example and why it is relevant to the point. This will show the marker why you chose this example as evidence for your point.

For example:The reader learns that Job is resented by his mother which is an issue in his life that he has to deal with.

Link to...

The purpose of the link is to:• Explain what we learn about the character or idea• Discuss the author's purpose• Explain what we learn about human behaviour/nature• Refer back to the essay topic and point of the paragraph

What is human behaviour or nature?

As humans we are different in many ways but we also are likely to react, respond or behave in similar ways when faced with a set of circumstances.For example, when a loved one dies we are all likely to go through the stages of grief - denial, anger, depression and acceptance. In circumstances that are challenging we are likely to either step up to the challenge and conquer or avoid the challenge and take on a victim mentality.The characters in texts often reflect human behaviour by behaving in ways that we can understand and relate to because it is what most people would do in a similar situation.By commenting on this in your essay you are demonstrating insight and perception about human nature. This is Excellence level thinking.

Link to...For example:Job helps the reader to understand the important idea of Overcoming Adversity because he reacts to the negative treatment by his mother by taking extreme action later in the story when he blows up the P lab and escapes to the Gold Coast . The author's purpose is to show the reader that when a child is unwanted and mistreated by their parents it can cause them to find any way they can to escape their circumstances. We learn that when people are faced with such adversity they will either fight to survive and overcome it or they can develop a 'chip on their shoulder' and behave like a victim. Job helps the reader to understand this important message because he is treated badly but he fights to overcome his adversity.

💡TIP💡Refer back to the essay topic at

the end of your paragraph.

Transitions

Transitions are words or phrases that allow you to

move seamlessly from one part of the paragraph to another. They are also

useful for the final sentence of your

paragraph.

The whole shebang!Job helped me to understand the important message of overcoming adversity when he escaped from his uncaring family. Job is an 11 year old boy who is brought up by a mother who did not want him and a step father who physically abuses him. The reader learns that Job's mother did not want him when she tells Job, ‘It was the beginning of all my problems, the day you fell out of my crack. I should’ve shoved you straight back up there.’ For his mother, Job was nothing more than, '...a ticket to the DPB.' The reader learns that Job is resented by his mother which is an issue in his life that he has to deal with. Job helps the reader to understand the important idea of Overcoming Adversity because he reacts to the negative treatment by his mother by taking extreme action later in the story when he blows up the P lab and escapes to the Gold Coast. The author's purpose is to show the reader that when a child is unwanted and mistreated by their parents it can cause them to find any way they can to escape their circumstances. We learn that when people are faced with such adversity they will either fight to survive and overcome it or they can develop a 'chip on their shoulder' and behave like a victim. Job helps the reader to understand this important message because he is treated badly but he fights to overcome his adversity.