WK3_assignment

MEAL PLAN

MEAL PLAN This guide is a helpful tool when constructing paragraphs and essays. Here’s how the MEAL plan relates to essays and paragraphs.

Essay Paragraph Introduction/Thesis Statement Topic Sentence/Main Idea Body Evidence and Analysis Conclusion Link/Transition to Next Paragraph

Main Idea Every paragraph should have one main idea. An essay or piece of writing similarly focuses on one topic. If you find that your paragraphs have more than one main idea, separate your paragraphs so that each has only one main point. The idea behind a paragraph is to introduce an idea and expand upon it. If you veer off into a new topic, begin a new paragraph. Evidence Your main idea needs support, either in the form of evidence that supports your argument or examples that explain your idea. If you don’t have any evidence or examples to support your main idea, your idea may not be strong enough to warrant a complete paragraph. In this case, re-evaluate your idea and see whether you need even to keep it in the paper. This goes the same for writing an essay. The evidence should support the main argument of the writing assignment. If it does not, then your writing may lack focus and need to be revised. Analysis Analysis is the heart of academic writing. While your readers want to see evidence or examples of your idea, the real “meat” of your idea is your interpretation (analysis) of your evidence or examples:

• how you break them apart • compare them to other ideas • use them to build a persuasive case • demonstrate their strengths or weaknesses

Analysis is especially important if your evidence (E) is a quote from another author. Always follow a quote with your analysis of the quote, demonstrating how that quote helps you to make your case. If you let a quote stand on its own, then the author of that quote will have a stronger voice in your paragraph (and maybe even your paper) than you will. Link or Transition Links help your reader to see how your paragraphs fit together. When you end a paragraph, try to link it to something else in your paper, such as your thesis or argument, the previous paragraph or main idea, or the following paragraph. Creating links will help your reader understand the logic and organization of your paper, as well as the logic and organization of your argument or main points. Key words that are ‘links’ include:

• however • so

• thus, • still, despite,

• nonetheless, • although

Writing Center, August 2014 1