Chapter 11
Organization
Quote Sandwiching in a Chunk Paragraph
Body paragraphs begin with a topic sentence. When using quotes, transition smoothly into your Concrete Detail, 1st Sentence of Commentary, and 2nd sentence of Commentary. Use a “Quote Sandwich,” as follows (NO QUOTE BOMBS!):
Top of Quote Sandwich:
- Topic Sentence – Take a stand on your issue and give background that introduces the quote.
Background – This is where the context of the quote is given; explain what is happening before/as the quote occurs in the story.
Middle of Quote Sandwich:
- Intro – Introduce the quote in your own words by saying who said it.
The narrator tells us that “…”(Poe 13).
Scrooge complains that “…”( Dickens 12).
- Quote – Use proper citation format!
*MLA standard format is formed like this: double quotation mark/quoted material/double quotation mark/left parenthesis/page number/right parenthesis/period.
- Example: At this point Pony says to us, “I didn’t tell her that Soda bawled every night for a week, and I did too, if you want to know the truth” (Hinton 15).
If your quote ends with a question mark or an exclamation point, put it inside the last quotation mark and put a period after the page citation.
Ex: Pony says, “Why should I even pretend to be proud of it?” (Hinton 116).
Bottom of Quote Sandwich:
- Commentary – Your opinion, ideas, interpretation, without EVER using I!
Be sure to refer back to or reference the argument/prompt/stand from the topic sentence/thesis at least once, reminding your reader that this quote supports your claim/argument.
Commentary Starters are helpful, but can eventually be eliminated as you begin to get the hang of commentary.
This can be one, two, or several sentences, but usually two sentences in a literary piece is the minimum.
- Closing Statement – Body paragraphs end with a closing statement that revisits the stand taken/topic sentence.
ACE Strategy = Answer/Cite/Expand
This strategy can be used when answering questions requiring a concise and/or extended response with support.
What is the ACE strategy?
- Answer the question that is being asked.
- Reread and restate the question using your response to write your topic sentence.
- Be sure to include keywords from the question in your response.
- Cite evidence from the text.
- Use examples and evidence from the text, graphs or illustrations to support, prove or explain.
- Extend your answer.
- Extend your response using commentary by explaining the connections between your prior knowledge and information that you cited from the text.
- Make it clear that you know the answer because of the evidence.
Outlining as a Study & Organizational Tool
Outlining is a highly structured, logical way to organize and take notes. An outline helps to make levels of information clear and show a skeleton of the printed information.
Outlines can be used in a variety of ways:
- Use formal outlines to take notes before, during, and after reading a textbook. Create an outline for sections or chapters in your textbook(s). When preparing for a test, use them as study guides and you are sure to succeed on the test! Creating outlines will also help you remember the information so you can use it later.
- Use an outline to help you organize your ideas when you are planning an essay, research paper, or any composition.
- When taking notes from a lecture, movie, or presentation, use outline formatting to organize the main ideas, major support, minor support, and details.
- Outlining can be utilized in conjunction with Cornell Notes using the “NOTES” side for an outline of information.
Standard Outline Format
• Indent and align items to show levels of information.
• Show at least two subtopics under each category.
• Use Roman numerals for main topics.
• Use Arabic numerals for supporting details.
• Use keywords and short phrases throughout the outline
