Learn the Schaffer Method for Paragraph Development

To help you write analytically, I want you to introduce you to a pattern that will help you develop and support an idea within a single paragraph.  Heres how it works:

In the Schaffer Method, the paragraph begins with a Topic Sentence (TS).  This sentence will express an opinion, and it is followed by the first of 2 Concrete Details (CD1).  The CD is followed up by at least 2 sentences of Commentary (CM).  Finally, the paragraph concludes with a Closing Sentence (CS) and a transition.

Here’s the Method explained in more detail and in outline form:

Topic Sentence (this is always an opinion or a stance or a statement that wont stand on its own.  It needs to be supported)

• Concrete Detail 1 (this is always a fact.  Facts can be quotations from a piece of writing or something that happened, like a personal experience or a statistic)
• Commentary (this is a chance to interpret and discuss the concrete detail.  Do a close reading of the quotation, explain why the fact matters and how it relates to the topic sentence.  Make judgements about the fact and show how it makes you feel)
• Commentary

• Concrete Detail 2 (this is another fact, that realates back to the commentary above and/r or back to the topic sentnece)
• Commentary
• Commentary

• Closing (transition) (wrap the paragraph up and build a bridge to the next paragraph)

Here’s a link to a website that shows clear examples of student writers using the Schaffer Method:  

It’s a formulaic method that helps new writers explore and support ideas in greater depth.  As you practice with this method, and get more comfortable with the moves, you can adapt it to your own needs, but for now, strive to follow the pattern.

In this assignment, you’ll use  to write 2 paragraphs that each develop and support 1 opinion .  You will use ideas in Donald Murray’s and/or Anne Lamott’s essay as Concrete Details (in the form of direct quotations) to develop and support each opinion.  

As you do this work, keep your overall Writing Situation in mind…understanding your role as the writer, your audience and your purpose will help you make choices as you write.

Here’s an example of 2 opinions that I turned into Topic Sentences:

TS1: “One way a new writer can improve is to learn to reread what she’s written in a first draft with a new attitude.”

TS2: “Once a new writer can reread her own writing with a new attitude, she will become more motivated to see revision and rewriting as a rewarding and necessary, instead of as a punishment or waste of time.”

Do you remember how the Schaffer Method works?  Here’s an outline structure that you can follow to help you in your writing:

Paragraph 1:

Topic Sentence 1 (Your opinion–don’t refer to Murray yet)

Concrete Detail 1 (find a great quotation from the Murray or Lamott that relates to the TS1)

Commentary (Interpret, explain the quotation, show your audience why the quot. is meaningful; define key terms in the quotation; put the quotation into context).  Commentary is the heart of the paragraph…write more than a couple of sentences)

Concrete Detail 2 (Find another great quotation that relates to TS1)

Commentary (Do the same here as you did for the first quotation.)

Closing Sentence (sum up TS1 and transition transition to your next paragraph…in this case, transition into TS2)

Paragraph 2:

Topic Sentence 2 (Your opinion–don’t refer to Murray yet)

Concrete Detail 1 (find a great quotation from the Murray or Lamott that relates to the TS2)

Commentary (Interpret, explain the quotation, show your audience why the quot. is meaningful; define key terms in the quotation; put the quotation into context).  Commentary is the heart of the paragraph…write more than a couple of sentences)

Concrete Detail 2 (Find another great quotation that relates to TS2)

Commentary (Do the same here as you did for the first quotation.)

Closing Sentence (sum up TS2 and transition transition to your next paragraph…in this case, transition into the conclusion of your essay)

Your goal in these paragraphs is to help your reader improve as writers by sharing opinions that are informed and backed up by an expert in the field.

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