Schaffer paragraph

The Jane Schaffer paragraph (commonly known as a Schaffer paragraph, Schaeffer paragraph, or Schæffer paragraph, and misspelled as Shaffer paragraph and Shafer paragraph) is a five sentence paragraph developed by Jane Schaffer, used to write essays. [http://huertas.vms.lusd.org/Janeschafferhowsto.html Jane Schaffer How-To ] ] The paragraph only makes up one of many paragraphs in an essay, most of which have a non-Schaffer-like intro and conclusion. The Schaffer paragraph is popular in middle school and in early high school classes as it is thought to help students better formulate ideas.http://www.jstor.org/sici?sici=0013-8274(200009)90%3A1%3C61%3ATPOFW(%3E2.0.CO%3B2-%23&cookieSet=1] http://www.jstor.org/pss/808912] When students have fully learned the Shaffer paragraph or move on to a higher grade level, the Schaffer paragraph generally is not preferred anymore since using it hinders students from formulating their ideas and does not allow them to think critically.

Formatting the paragraph

Quick Overview

A quick overview of the default Schaffer paragraph:
*Topic sentence (TS)
*Concrete Detail (CD)
*Commentary (CM)
*Commentary (CM)
*Closing/Concluding sentence (CS)

"Note: Some Schaffer paragraphs have one more CD and two more CM's before the CS as follows:"
*Topic sentence (TS)
*Concrete Detail (CD)
*Commentary (CM)
*Commentary (CM)
*Concrete Detail (CD)
*Commentary (CM)
*Commentary (CM)
*Closing/Concluding sentence (CS)

Topic Sentence/Statement (TS)

This sentence should state the bland fact and be straight to the point.:"Examples:"::"Cinderella leads a miserable life."::"Global warming is a world problem and needs to be stopped."

Concrete Detail (CD)

This sentence is the "what" sentence and is a fact that shows "what" is happening. It should be either facts, examples, illustrations, evidence, support, plot references, paraphrases, citations, quotations, plot summary, etc. It should be a concrete detail and should start with "'for example'" or a different transition.:"Examples:"::"For example, she does all the cooking, cleaning, and sewing. "::"If it is not stopped, the world may be drastically hurt. "

Commentary (CM)

There are two commentary sentences in each paragraph and contains no facts, rather, it contains comments from the paragraph writer about the fact presented in the CD. This sentence contains analysis, interpretation, character feelings, opinions, inference, insight, reasons, or color commentator. :"Examples:"::CM1: "This shows that she feels taken advantage of by her selfish stepmother and stepsisters.":::CM2: "This is important because her horrible life gives her a present, her fairy godmother."::CM1: "Global warming should be man's greatest worry.":::CM2: "This is because the Earth can become negatively and drastically affected world wide."

Tip

Most commentary sentences start with one of the following transitions:
*This (also) shows that
*This is important because
*This is because
*In addition
*Furthermore
*Therefore
*For example

Concluding Sentence / Closing Sentence (CS)

The Concluding Sentence (CS) is the closing sentence that wraps up the TS and sums up your paragraph. It closes up the thoughts and gives insight to the next paragraph. Again, it is a good idea to use as many (at least two) feeling, emotional, or connotative words as possible. It usually begins with "As a result" or another concluding sentence.:"Examples:"::"As a result, she becomes a princess."::"Therefore, global warming is top priority and cannot be ignored."

Requirements

*It must not be written in first person
*Every paragraph must be five sentences long, however there can be more as long as the same ratio of two CM's to every CD is kept [ [http://www.walnutvalley.k12.ca.us/dbhs/stenace/janeshaffer.htm Jane Schaffer Paragraph Construction ] ]
*Each section (TS, CD, CM, CS) is only one sentence in length

External links

* [http://huertas.vms.lusd.org/Janeschafferhowsto.html How to write a Schaffer paragraph from Jane Schaffer]
* [http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1530903 More details on the Schaffer paragraph]
* [http://english.xcp.org/drconway/multipara.htm Schaffer tips]

References