Introductory Paragraph

The first paragraph in an essay.

It includes the thesis, most often at the end.

Thesis

A sentence with a subject and opinion (also called commentary).

This comes somewhere in your introductory paragraph

and most often at the end.

Concrete Detail (CD)

Specific details that form the backbone or core of your body paragraphs.

Synonyms for concrete detail include facts, specifics, examples, descriptions,

illustrations support, proof, evidence, quotations, paraphrasing, or plot references.

Commentary (CM)

Your opinion or comment about something; not concrete detail.

Synonyms include opinion, insight, analysis, interpretation, inference, personal

response, feelings, evaluation, explication, and reflection.

Chunk

One sentence of concrete detail and 2 sentences of commentary.

It is the smallest unified group of thoughts that you can write.