Writing Strategies

Topic Sentence/”State”

States the main idea of the paragraph (the answer to the prompt)

Transitional Phrase

Used to link words, phrases or sentences, and helps progress from one idea to the next

Commentary/”Explain”

Explains how the evidence proves your main idea

Signal Phrase

Provides enough background context (speaker and situation) to introduce the quote

Concluding Thought

Wraps up your paragraph, saying why the topic matters

Analysis

Interpreting and explaining information

Concrete Detail

A specific, descriptive fact or example that supports an idea in writing/speaking (provides tangible details that create a clearer picture for the reader) as opposed to abstract or general language

Evidence

Support provided to help prove the author’s claim

Parenthetical Citation

Tells the reader where the quote came from by providing the author’s last name and page number (if available), typically in parenthesis

MLA Format

A type of writing format typically for essays

TAG

Title, Author, Genre; mentioned in the “state“ sentence

Thesis/Claim/Argument

Presents the overall main idea of the essay, including its reasons (which are part of the body paragraphs’ topic sentences)

SSE

State, Support, Explain

Hook

Typically the first sentence(s) in your introductory paragraph, used to catch the reader’s attention so they keep reading