non-academic vs. academic writing

Paragraphing with the MEAL Plan

M: Main Idea

E: Evidence or Examples

A: Analysis

L: Link

Main Idea: Every paragraph should have one main idea. 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 or Examples: Your main idea needs support, either in the form of

evidence that buttresses 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.

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 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, and so on. 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.

The MEAL Plan

Link: 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.

Adapted from Capella University Writing Center, January, 2006: “Paragraphing with the MEAL Plan.”