english

M ain point: Each paragraph should have a main idea (a main point) that is connected to your larger claim for the essay.

E xplain, Examples, Evidence: You need to explain and reason this main idea. You need to provide examples that explain the main idea and Evidence that supports the argument.

A nalysis: The analysis is your interpretation of what is being said about an idea, evidence, or examples. You can explain how one idea compares to another idea. You can show if an author is being persuasive, or you can show the strengths and/or weaknesses of an argument. In the analysis you build your argument and demonstrate how the evidence (quotes, examples) is important to your argument and supports your argument.

L ink: It links the paragraph back to the main idea. It closes the paragraph and helps the reader understand the logic of the argument and the main idea.

Example of a student paragraph using MEAL:

The fast food culture has destroyed not only our culinary culture, but it has also changed the way American culture is seen at home and abroad. In his book Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser warns consumers about the far-reaching influence of fast food beyond the restaurant doors, “…the fast food industry has helped to transform not only the American diet, but also our landscape, economy, workforce, and popular culture. Fast food and its consequences have become inescapable, regardless of whether you eat it twice a day, try to avoid it, or have never taken a single bite” (4). Because these companies have such a vast purchasing power, they have an effect on how food is produced, what kind of food is produced, and how much it costs. This impacts everybody and all aspects of society, whether we participate in the system or not. People seek the convenience and affordability of certain foods, and miss out on other less convenient foods. This affects the diversity of food supply at home and also in the global marketplace because these multinational companies are so big, so powerful, and so ubiquitous. The result is distorted and simplified images of cheeseburgers and French fries that other countries have about American culture, when in fact there is a vast array of American regional cuisine and food customs that are unknown to the rest of the world, and even to many Americans.

Here is a list of list of verbs and verbal phrases you can use to cite an author and reflect an author’s purpose or point of view:

The author…

admits brings to light conveys

advises cautions declares

affirms claims discusses

argues concludes emphasizes

asks confesses establishes

asserts contends examines

believes maintain s says

explains notes shows

feels observes suggests

finds points out supports

focuses on proposes uncovers

gives evidence to questions underlines

identifies reasons voices

illustrates recommends warns

implies remarks writes

indicates reveals

insists