Paragraph Construction - Alternating Method

Question 1

Organization of a Literary Analysis Essay:

Answer 1

• Introduction paragraph, including thesis statement (the author’s theme(s) we have identified)
  ► Body paragraphs
• Conclusion paragraph

Question 2

Organization of Body Paragraphs:

Answer 2

• Topic Sentence (what element or technique the author uses to convey the theme)
  ► Evidence (data from the text – we need at least 2-3 bits of data per paragraph)
  ► Explanation (our interpretation of the data)

Question 3

Organization of Evidence and Explanation (a stylistic choice):

Answer 3

► Alternating Method

- Chunked Method

Question 4

Body Paragraph

Answer 4

• Topic Sentence (always goes first in a Body Paragraph)
• Evidence - one bit – e.g., one or two quotes and/or paraphrases
• Explanation - immediately follows evidence
• Evidence - next bit
• Explanation
• Evidence - next bit
• Explanation

Question 5

NOTE

Answer 5

• It is important to keep coming back to theme to unify your analysis. Identify it in your thesis statement, mention it in your topic sentence, and come back to it at the end of each body paragraph.