A Pair of What? Paragraphs are extremely important in college essay writing (and in all writing, really). Their breaks signal to readers where one idea.

PIE Paragraphs

PIE ParagraphsA Pair of What?Paragraphs are extremely important in college essay writing (and in all writing, really).Their breaks signal to readers where one idea is ending and another one is beginning. When the readers are teachers/professors, those signals are doubly importantthey can (and will) make or break a grade.

Where Is The Body?WHAT? Body paragraphs are the paragraphs between yourintroduction and conclusionWHY? The ones in which you demonstrate your points. They are the meat of your essay.

The Body, pt 2Strong body paragraphs do the following things:stay on a single topicopen with a topic sentence, a sentence that says the main point of your paragraphgive concrete examples with descriptive detail to demonstrate your main idea in the paragraphexplain how the examples relate to your main pointend with a statement about the main point, not on some detail from the example

Body Paragraph, Example 1Some sexist commercials include those for Giggle Wiggle, Shark Attack, and Frog Soccer. For instance, in the Giggle Wiggle commercial, four people play the gametwo boys and two girls. During the game, only the boys move the game pieces, shouting enthusiastically when they've made the right moves, while the girls, basically motionless, smile vacantly and watch the boys. At the end of the game, one of the boys wins and gleefully shouts, "I win! I win!" while clapping his hands. Only then does a girl jump up and speak her one line, "Oh wow!"QuestionWhat is the writer's argument (in the paragraph and in the essay to which this paragraph belongs)?

What is the writer trying to prove (in the paragraph and in the essay to which this paragraph belongs)?

Is there anything to contextualize this information? For example, is there a main point holding the information together?Heres the FixFor a general idea of how you might go about structuring your paragraphs, try using the below PIE method to integrate an authors ideas into your own writing. You generally dont want to start a paragraph or end a paragraph with a quotation or paraphrased idea (example from the text); instead, you want to sandwich that idea between your own points.PIE and Paragraph StructureOne common way of explaining body paragraph structure is using the image of a pie, or PIE structure. A PIE paragraph opens with a main Point that your paragraph will discuss, gives Information to support that pointEnds with an Explanation ofthe information.

The PIE ParagraphP =PointWhat is the point of this paragraph? What claim is being made?Often, the point is the TOPIC SENTENCE.I =InformationHow is the point supported with specific data, experiences, or other factual material? The information is the evidence used to support/develop the point.E =ExplanationWhat does the provided information mean?The explanation is the writer's analysis, elaboration, evaluation of the point and information given, connecting the information with the point (topic sentence) and the thesis.

NoticeYou might notice that this structure is very similar to the structure of an essay. The Point parallels the introduction, the Information parallels the body paragraphs, and the Explanation parallels the conclusion. Body Paragraph (Revisited)Many sexist children's television commercials lead me to believe that girls rarely see images of themselves in active or winning situations. Often, the boy wins the game being advertised while the girls, pretty little objects, serve as his mindless cheerleaders. In "What are TV Ads Selling to Children" John J. O'Connor claims that in these ads girls are portrayed as inferior to boys. According to O'Connor, "They live in a society in which they can never be considered the best." Some of these commercials include those for Giggle Wiggle, Shark Attack, and Frog Soccer. For instance, in the Giggle Wiggle commercial, four people play the gametwo boys and two girls. During the game, only the boys move the game pieces, shouting enthusiastically when they've made the right moves, while the girls, basically motionless, smile vacantly and watch the boys. At the end of the game, one of the boys wins and gleefully shouts, "I win! I win!" while clapping his hands. Only then does a girl jump up and speak her one line, "Oh wow!" My mouth fell open when I saw this commercial. The winning kid was not only rude, but annoying. In this commercial, as in others, the girls were not the central characters but part of the support network for the winners, the boys. In fact, I never saw a girl win a game in any of the children's commercials I viewed. These subtle statements in commercials can make a person think that it is okay to be sexist when in fact it is absolutely not.

New AdditionThe New Addition (the last sentences) add to the meaning of the paragraph.It helps to Explain or Elaborate how the Information relates to the Purpose (Point) of the essay.Body Paragraph (Revisited)Many sexist children's television commercials lead me to believe that girls rarely see images of themselves in active or winning situations. Often, the boy wins the game being advertised while the girls, pretty little objects, serve as his mindless cheerleaders. In "What are TV Ads Selling to Children" John J. O'Connor claims that in these ads girls are portrayed as inferior to boys. According to O'Connor, "They live in a society in which they can never be considered the best." Some of these commercials include those for Giggle Wiggle, Shark Attack, and Frog Soccer. For instance, in the Giggle Wiggle commercial, four people play the gametwo boys and two girls. During the game, only the boys move the game pieces, shouting enthusiastically when they've made the right moves, while the girls, basically motionless, smile vacantly and watch the boys. At the end of the game, one of the boys wins and gleefully shouts, "I win! I win!" while clapping his hands. Only then does a girl jump up and speak her one line, "Oh wow!" My mouth fell open when I saw this commercial. The winning kid was not only rude, but annoying. In this commercial, as in others, the girls were not the central characters but part of the support network for the winners, the boys. In fact, I never saw a girl win a game in any of the children's commercials I viewed. These subtle statements in commercials can make a person think that it is okay to be sexist when in fact it is absolutely not.

Consider the FollowingAlthough the Andean condor is listed as an endangered species, its ever-growing population is extremely encouraging. According to ornithologist Marc Whitacre, Thanks to breeding programs across the country, the Andean condor population seems to be stabilizing almost everywhere (75).

And Another OneMy love of kickboxing has certainly had some negative consequences, but also many positive ones. The most obvious negative consequences are the injuries. I am lucky because I have not had any serious injuriesjust a lot of bruises, bumps, and cuts. But the many positive effects of kickboxing make all these injuries worthwhile. Kickboxing has made me physically stronger. In fact, it made me so strong that I recently moved a lot of my moms furniture with no help at all. It has also made me more resilient and able to deal with difficult situations.For example, at a recent conference I attended, I was able to deal with the stress of presenting a paper because I was used to having to think on my toes and not be afraid of getting attacked. Even when a famous professor began to ask me difficult questions, I was able to calmly respond to her questions as though I was blocking roundhouse kicks. Many of the audience members later congratulated me on my calmness in responding to her verbal attack. I am sure that this calmness is a result of my martial arts training; in fact, I even thought about kickboxing while I was answering the questions. My kickboxing obsession might cause me a lot of physical injuries, but it also teaches me how to get past injuries to my body and to my ego, and to do my best even under stressful circumstances. P.I.E. StrategiesIdeas for making a POINT:Decide what you want to say to support your thesis based on your reaction to the textTry categorizing your ideas and make a comment on a recurring theme you've foundDefine your topic.Divide the topic into meaningful, relevant topics.

P.I.E. StrategiesIdeas for INFORMATION/support:Information from the readings or class discussions (paraphrases or, occasionally, short quotes)Personal experience (stories, anecdotes, examples from your life)Representations in mass media (newspapers, magazines, television)Elements from popular culture (song lyrics, movie lines, TV characters, celebrities)Definitions (from the dictionary, the readings, or another source)Statistics (polls, percentages, data from research studies)

P.I.E. StrategiesIdeas for EXPLANATION:Interpret, analyze, explain the information, opinion or quote you've includedComment on the accuracy (or inaccuracy) of the quote, fact, data, information, etc.Decipher the meaning or try to better your understanding of your observation, findings or experienceSuggest to your reader how the information you've included relates to your THESIS.5-Step Process to Paragraph DevelopmentStep 1. Decide on a controlling idea and create a topic sentenceParagraph development begins with the formulation of the controlling idea. This idea directs the paragraph's development. Often, the controlling idea of a paragraph will appear in the form of a topic sentence. In some cases, you may need more than one sentence to express a paragraph's controlling idea. Here is the controlling idea for our "model paragraph," expressed in a topic sentence: Model controlling idea and topic sentence Slave spirituals often had hidden double meanings.

5-Step Process to Paragraph DevelopmentNow you try with your own example.

Were going to think about what grade we think we want in Writing Class. You dont have to think you deserve it. Just want it. Now a) write down what you want.b) write down an example of how important your grade of an (A, B, C, D or F) is to you. (Thesis statement).

Write your example now. 5-Step Process to Paragraph Development, pt. 2Step 2. Explain the controlling idea Explain how the reader should interpret the information presented in the thesis statement the paragraph. The writer explains his/her thinking about the main topic, idea, or focus of the paragraph. Here's the sentence that would follow the controlling idea about slave spirituals:Model explanationOn one level, spirituals referenced heaven, Jesus, and the soul; but on another level, the songs spoke about slave resistance.

5-Step Process to Paragraph Development, pt. 2 BNow you try with your own example.

Now we need to explain your controlling idea. Tell me your thinking about getting an A. Is it good, bad? Very important?

Write your example now. 5-Step Process to Paragraph Development, pt. 3Step 3. Give an example (or multiple examples)Paragraph development progresses with the expression of some type of support or evidence for the idea and the explanation that came before it. The example serves as a sign or representation of the relationship established in the idea and explanation portions of the paragraph. Here are two examples that we could use to illustrate the double meanings in slave spirituals: Model example A For example, according to Frederick Douglass, the song "O Canaan, Sweet Canaan" spoke of slaves' longing for heaven, but it also expressed their desire to escape to the North. Careful listeners heard this second meaning in the following lyrics: "I don't expect to stay / Much longer here. / Run to Jesus, shun the danger. / I don't expect to stay."Model example B Slaves even used songs like "Steal Away to Jesus (at midnight)" to announce to other slaves the time and place of secret, forbidden meetings.

5-Step Process to Paragraph Development, pt. 3 BNow you try with your own example.

Now think of an example, or a piece of information that will help me understand why you have earned your grade. Did you do all of the homework assignments? Did you pass every test? Do you study every night? Give me reasons, with good, specific details.

Write your example now. 5-Step Process to Paragraph Development, pt. 4Step 4. Explain the example(s)Explain each example and its relevance to the topic sentence and rationale.This shows readers why you chose to use this/or these particular examples as evidence to support the major claim, or focus, in your paragraph.Continue the pattern of giving examples and explaining them until all points/examples have been explained. NONE of your examples should be left unexplained. You might be able to explain the relationship between the example and the topic sentence in the same sentence which introduced the example. More often, however, you will need to explain that relationship in a separate sentence. Look at these explanations for the two examples in the slave spirituals paragraph:

Model explanation for example A When slaves sang this song, they could have been speaking of their departure from this life and their arrival in heaven; however, they also could have been describing their plans to leave the South and run, not to Jesus, but to the North.Model explanation for example B[The relationship between example B and the main idea of the paragraph's controlling idea is clear enough without adding another sentence to explain it.]

5-Step Process to Paragraph Development, pt. 4 BNow you try with your own example. Here is where things get tricky.

Think of your example and tell me why its important. How does studying at home every night qualify you for youre A? Why would someone who has done all of his homework deserve a passing grade? Explain it to me. Write your example now. 5-Step Process to Paragraph Development, pt. 5Step 5. Complete the paragraph's idea or transition into the next paragraphTie up the loose ends of the paragraph and remind the reader of the relevance of the information in this paragraph to the main or controlling idea of the paper. You might feel more comfortable, however, simply transitioning your reader to the next development in the next paragraph. Here's an example of a sentence that completes the slave spirituals paragraph:Model sentence for completing a paragraph What whites heard as merely spiritual songs, slaves discerned as detailed messages. The hidden meanings in spirituals allowed slaves to sing what they could not say. Notice that the example and explanation steps of this 5-step process (steps 3 and 4) can be repeated as needed. The idea is that you continue to use this pattern until you have completely developed the main idea of the paragraph.

5-Step Process to Paragraph Development, pt. 5 BNow add your own information to the paragraph. Remind me how important getting an A is to you.

or

Transition to your next paragraph. This is the conclusion to your paragraph.

Complete your paragraph now. Here is our Finished ExampleSlave spirituals often had hidden double meanings. On one level, spirituals referenced heaven, Jesus, and the soul, but on another level, the songs spoke about slave resistance. For example, according to Frederick Douglass, the song "O Canaan, Sweet Canaan" spoke of slaves' longing for heaven, but it also expressed their desire to escape to the North. Careful listeners heard this second meaning in the following lyrics: "I don't expect to stay / Much longer here. / Run to Jesus, shun the danger. / I don't expect to stay." When slaves sang this song, they could have been speaking of their departure from this life and their arrival in heaven; however, they also could have been describing their plans to leave the South and run, not to Jesus, but to the North. Slaves even used songs like "Steal Away to Jesus (at midnight)" to announce to other slaves the time and place of secret, forbidden meetings. What whites heard as merely spiritual songs, slaves discerned as detailed messages. The hidden meanings in spirituals allowed slaves to sing what they could not say. Here is Another ExampleThis is for an expository essay. The transportation system in Seattle is in crisis. While I was driving to the airport last week, there were bumper-to-bumper cars lining the freeway at 2:00 p.m. which isnt even rush hour. The light-rail train system isnt operational yet, and even once it is there probably wont be enough service. People dont ride the bus enough, either. Freeway traffic and the lack of effective mass-transit are indications of the problem.Which sentence is the Point? Information? Explanation?ExampleStep 1:I deserve an A in writing class.Step 2:I am a good student, and all good students should get As.Step 3:For example, I always do my homework and work hard in class.Step 4:Because Im such a hard worker, I believe that I should be rewarded with the highest grade you can give.Step 5:I am an extraordinary student who works hard, the best way to reward hard work is to give them all As.