Writing a Multi-paragraph Essay Taking Sides by Gary Soto

Writing a Multi-paragraph Essay Taking Sides by Gary Soto

This is how a multi-paragraph essay should look. Introduction Paragraph 1st Body Paragraph 2nd Body Paragraph Additional Body Paragraph(s) Etc. if necessary Conclusion Paragraph

Introduction Paragraph Your intro should start general and then get more specific. Talk about the general themes or topics of the book in a way that anyone can relate to. If you are talking about a work of literature, you should not mention the name of the work or any details about it until your thesis statement. Your thesis statement should be the final sentence in your introduction and should contain a debatable opinion; however, you can break it into 2 sentences, if necessary, to make your point. An introductory paragraph is not a lengthy paragraph; normally 2 4 sentences long. 1. 2. 3. 4. Thesis

Look at this introduction. Is it general or specific at the start? The novel Taking Sides is about a boy named Lincoln who moves from the barrio to a nice neighborhood. He is upset because he has to leave his old school and friends. He also has to play against his school in basketball. There are differences between the two In the novel Taking Sides by Gary Soto, there are many differences between the barrio and Lincoln s new neighborhood.

Compare that introduction to this one. Which is more general to start out with? Every city contains a variety of communities. Each community has similar characteristics. However, while they may have many of the same things, they can be very different in kind. Gary Soto shows how Mission District and Sycamore, while being two communities merely ten miles apart with similar features, are separated by the quality of life each one possesses in the novel Taking Sides.

Here s another All cities have a variety of communities that make up its personality. While they may have similar features, they can actually be different in nature. In the novel Taking Sides, Gary Soto illustrates how, while they have some of the same characteristic, Mission District and Sycamore are worlds apart when it comes to their quality of life.

Thesis Statement Perhaps the single most important sentence in your essay Gives you permission to talk about ideas and issues This sets the topic for your entire essay It should be general enough to allow you to discuss all the issues you want to cover in your essay It should be a debatable opinion using powerful words and strong language

Here are some examples to guide you. In the novel Taking Sides, Gary Soto illustrates how, while close in proximity, the communities of Mission District and Sycamore are worlds apart. In the novel Taking Sides, Gary Soto shows the diverse differences between Mission District and Sycamore. While close in proximity, the communities of Mission District and Sycamore are nothing alike in Gary Soto s novel, Taking Sides. Gary Soto illustrates how communities, while having common characteristics, the quality of life both have are different in his novel Taking Sides.

Incorporating Textual Evidence: Block vs. Blending Style Block is when the textual evidence is provided altogether. After the topic sentence/giving an example of how the two communities are different, the textual evidence comes after, and is followed by an additional explanation. Use a colon. Blending is when textual evidence is incorporated with the explanation.

School System - Behavior Block Style Both communities have a school system, yet they vary greatly from each other. One way is the behavior system each school has. Mission District s Franklin Middle School does not have a strong disciplinary system. It is common for fights to occur in the hallways between classes or in the cafeteria during lunch: [ ] Franklin Junior High, tough as it was, with its fights in the hallways and in the noisy cafeteria (9). The school consists of students with diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds, resulting in a clash of behavior styles. Franklin does not have a solid handle on keeping the behavior under control. On the other hand, Sycamore s middle school, Columbus, has a strong disciplinary structure. Their main problem is getting to class late: The kids were well behaved, and the daily worries among the teachers were tardiness, lost jackets, and occasional fights in the hallway (13). The climate of the school is even tempered and controlled.

Economic Status Clothes Block Style Another differencing factor is with their economic status in relationship to their clothing. Franklin resided in a poor community, and kids do not have the finances to buy expensive clothes. They tend to shop for their clothes at budget stores like K-Mart: He felt bad at how most of the guys from Franklin wore K-mart sneakers while Columbus team members squeaked about the court in Air Jordans (10). Families do not have the means to buy expansive clothes; hence they have to resort to places they can afford. Unlike Franklin, kids from Columbus would never consider going to K-Mart; instead, they purchase their clothes at nicer department stores or boutiques: The kids dressed stylishly[ ] It would never enter their minds to shop at K-Mart or tote a bologna sandwich in a twice-used paper bag (13). Their families can easily afford better, more expensive clothes, including the popular name brands. The students carry more of an attitude than do those at Mission. The school system is not the only thing that is different because of economic standing. The neighborhoods are also very different from each other.

Put it together - Block Both communities have a school system, yet they vary greatly from each other. One way is the behavior system each school has. Mission District s Franklin Middle School does not have a strong disciplinary system. It is common for fights to occur in the hallways between classes or in the cafeteria during lunch: [ ] Franklin Junior High, tough as it was, with its fights in the hallways and in the noisy cafeteria (9). The school consists of students with diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds, resulting in a clash of behavior styles. Franklin does not have a solid handle on keeping the behavior under control. On the other hand, Sycamore s middle school, Columbus, has a strong disciplinary structure. Their main problem is getting to class late: The kids were well behaved, and the daily worries among the teachers were tardiness, lost jackets, and occasional fights in the hallway (13). The climate of the school is even tempered and controlled. Another differencing factor is with their economic status in relationship to their clothing. Franklin resided in a poor community, and kids do not have the finances to buy expensive clothes. They tend to shop for their clothes at budget stores like K-Mart: He felt bad at how most of the guys from Franklin wore K-mart sneakers while Columbus team members squeaked about the court in Air Jordans (10). Families do not have the means to buy expansive clothes; hence they have to resort to places they can afford. Unlike Franklin, kids from Columbus would never consider going to K-Mart; instead, they purchase their clothes at nicer department stores or boutiques: The kids dressed stylishly[ ] It would never enter their minds to shop at K-Mart or tote a bologna sandwich in a twice-used paper bag (13). Their families can easily afford better, more expensive clothes, including the popular name brands. The students carry more of an attitude than do those at Mission. The school system is not the only thing that is different because of economic standing. The neighborhoods are also very different from each other.

School System - Behavior Blending Quotes with Commentary Both communities have a school system, yet they vary greatly from each other. One way is the behavior system each school has. Mission District s Franklin Middle School does not have a strong disciplinary system. This school, [ ] tough as it was, with its fights in the hallways and the noisy cafeteria shows they clearly do not have any organization or structure when it comes to controlling the behavior of the students (10). The school consists of students with diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds, resulting in a clash of behavior styles. Franklin does not have a solid handle on keeping the behavior under control. On the other hand, Sycamore s middle school, Columbus, has a strong disciplinary structure. At this school, the kids were well behaved, and the daily worries among the teachers were tardiness, lost jackets, and occasional fights in the hallway (13). Sycamore takes a stronger stance on keeping the behavior under control. As a result, the school climate is even tempered and controlled.

Economic Status Clothes Blending with commentary Another differencing factor is with their economic status in relationship to their clothing. Franklin resided in a poor community, and kids do not have the finances to buy expensive clothes. Being a community of a poorer working class, [ ] most of the guys from Franklin wore K-mart sneakers while Columbus team members squeaked about the court in Air Jordans (10). Families do not have the means to buy expansive clothes; hence they have to resort to places they can afford. Unlike Franklin, kids from Columbus would never consider going to K-Mart; instead, they purchase their clothes at nicer department stores or boutiques. They [ ] dressed stylishly[ ]. It would never enter their minds to shop at K-Mart or tote a bologna sandwich in a twice-used paper bag (13). They shop for designer clothes at higher end stores and boutiques. The schools are not the only thing they have in common that are divided by income. The neighborhoods are also very different from each other.

Put it together - Blended Both communities have a school system, yet they vary greatly from each other. One way is the behavior system each school has. Mission District s Franklin Middle School does not have a strong disciplinary system. This school, [ ] tough as it was, with its fights in the hallways and the noisy cafeteria shows they clearly do not have any organization or structure when it comes to controlling the behavior of the students (10). The school consists of students with diverse cultures and ethnic backgrounds, resulting in a clash of behavior styles. Franklin does not have a solid handle on keeping the behavior under control. On the other hand, Sycamore s middle school, Columbus, has a strong disciplinary structure. At this school, the kids were well behaved, and the daily worries among the teachers were tardiness, lost jackets, and occasional fights in the hallway (13). Sycamore takes a stronger stance on keeping the behavior under control. As a result, the school climate is even tempered and controlled. Another differencing factor is with their economic status in relationship to their clothing. Franklin resided in a poor community, and kids do not have the finances to buy expensive clothes. Being a community of a poorer working class, [ ] most of the guys from Franklin wore K-mart sneakers while Columbus team members squeaked about the court in Air Jordans (10). Families do not have the means to buy expansive clothes; hence they have to resort to places they can afford. Unlike Franklin, kids from Columbus would never consider going to K-Mart; instead, they purchase their clothes at nicer department stores or boutiques. They [ ] dressed stylishly[ ]. It would never enter their minds to shop at K-Mart or tote a bologna sandwich in a twice-used paper bag (13). They shop for designer clothes at higher end stores and boutiques. The schools are not the only thing they have in common that are divided by income. The neighborhoods are also very different from each other.

Conclusion: Goes from narrow to broad Wraps it up with final thoughts 1. Restate Thesis 2. Maker broader, more general statement 3. Finish it up with a general statement that applies to everyone.

Conclusion Guidelines Be sure to restate the idea from the thesis in an in conclusion way. Your introduction and thesis are saying this is what I m going to explain. The conclusions is saying this is what I have explained. Do not mention the title of the novel or the author s name. If you feel it s necessary to the effectiveness of the conclusion, only refer to the author or Soto. The conclusion should be as brief and to the point as the introduction no more than 4 sentences, or it will get too wordy.

Restate thesis examples Be sure yours pertains to your thesis Mission District and Sycamore are but two communities within a city that are divided because of economics. It is clear that Mission District and Sycamore, while neighboring communities, are different in many ways. Soto clearly demonstrate the diversities between two communities within a city. Evidence clearly shows how two communities can be close in proximity, yet they are different in many ways While both Mission District and Sycamore share the necessity of many things, such as schools and homes, differences between them are divided by their financial standing...

Conclusion Paragraph Example: While both Mission District and Sycamore share the necessity of many things, such as schools and homes, differences between them are divided by their financial standing. These are but two of the many diverse communities it takes to make up a city. (be sure you have mentioned financial differences in the essay).

Another Example Evidence clearly shows how two communities can be close in proximity, yet they are different in many ways. These are but two of many communities or subdivisions a city contains. Every city is made up of a variety of communities with unique differences creating a city s personality and giving them character. (be sure to have personality or character mentioned in the introduction).

MLA Format Heading: Name Ms. Daniels English, Period 17 January 2014 Font/Style: 12 Font (title too); Arial or Times New Roman Spacing: Double no extra spaces between title and essay Borders: 1 all around