Even Better Paragraphs

1. Even Better Paragraphs The next steps English 9

2. I thought we already learned about paragraphs. The paragraphs you are writing now The paragraphs you will be writing

3. I thought we already learned about paragraphs. The paragraphs you are writing now The paragraphs you will be writing

4. I thought we already learned about paragraphs. The paragraphs you are writing now The paragraphs you will be writing

5. Let’s start with an example. Which sounds better? My favorite text that I read first semester was King of Kong. I thought this movie was really interesting. It showed a world that I did not know existed. Although we read and watched a lot of texts first semester, the movie King of Kong was my favorite.

6. Let’s start with an example. Which sounds better? Of the huge variety of texts that we read in first semester English 9, King of Kong stands out as one of my favorites. King of Kong is a movie that documents the world of competitive classic video gaming, and it is hilarious. The characters involved in the movie are classic nerds, and their unique personalities and crazy video game obsessions provided many laughs. Two of these characters in particular produce the primary conflict of the movie, which is suspenseful and entertaining. Steve Wiebe was a classic good-natured protagonist, while Billy Mitchell plays the role of bad guy very well; he even looks the part.

7. Let’s start with an example. Which sounds better? Not only was the movie full of laughs and fascinating characters, it is also a high quality film. The camera work, the visual effects, and the use of Donkey Kong imagery are all very effective. This documentary has everything I value in a good movie including humor, unique characters working through a strong conflict, and engaging film elements. Although few people assume a documentary on the video game Donkey Kong would be worth watching, King of Kong was definitely a highlight of my first semester of English 9.

8. So what’s the difference? • Length, but it’s not just length • Each of the parts we’ve already learned has been expanded. • Topic-Support-Conclusion becomes…

9. MEL-CON Paragraphs • M – Main Idea – The topic sentence. What is the paragraph about? • Sum up the whole paragraph in one sentence • Answer the question, but do so in a complete sentence • E – Examples – What evidence support your main ideas? • Evidence means facts, reasons, points of support • Evidence answers the question “why?”

10. MEL-CON Paragraphs • L – Links – Your explanations of how your Examples support your Main Idea. • You need to tell us how each piece of evidence supports or shows or proves the main idea • Each link needs a transition to the next link • Con. – Concluding Sentence – Recap your main ideas and wrap up the paragraph. • Review your main points in a unique way. Don’t just recopy them. • PLUS – A sentence that links your paragraph to the next paragraph

11. Tasks • On one side of the Mel-Con handout, we will break down Mr. Ras’s paragraph as an example. • On the other side, you will fill in your own ideas to produce your own MEL-CON paragraph. • This is due…