Paragraph Structure: Using the Super Six Method

Paragraph

Writing

Super Six Method for

Citing Textual Evidence

Paragraph Structure

Textual evidence

Body

Sentences

Relates back to the topic

Concluding

Sentence

States the topic of the

paragraph

Topic

Sentence

Paragraph

Introduce

the text and
the author

Answer the

writing prompt
Super Six 1

Super Six 2

Restate
Wrap-up the
main points
or

The first sentence of a body
paragraph

Topic Sentences

●Introduce the title, genre, and author
of the text

●Answer the writing prompt

Example:
In the short story “The Gift of the Magi” by O’Henry, the main characters sacrifice their
most beloved possessions to demonstrate their love for each other.

Body
Sentences

Transition

Step

01

Transition: A word or phrase used to connect one idea to the next.

Lead-in

Step 2

Lead-in: Gives context or background information to the text evidence.
When are we? Where are we? In brief, what's been happening plot-wise leading
up to this text evidence?

Attributive
Tag

03

Attributive Tag: Whose words were borrowed? Are those words
best described as narration, thinking, or dialogue?

Text
Evidence
04

Text Evidence:

Purposefully selected because something about it makes it some of the
best evidence to support a(n) topic sentence, thesis, claim, argument,
stance, statement, or answer. If using direct quotes, you must include
quotation marks (“”)

Ex: “We had to pass through my aunt’s room to go back into the kitchen.”

**If you have an extensive amount of text that you want to quote (paragraph)
you can use ellipsis (...) to condense the text evidence.

Ex: “The woman at the table did not look at us and were afraid to look at one
another…She thought that was best.”

In-text

Citation

05

In-text Citation

MLA in-text citation, often referred to as parenthetical citation

(Author’s last name and paragraph/page number).

Examples:

(Gaines 113).

(Dahl 12-16).

Lead-out

Step 6

Lead-out: Analysis of your claim and evidence

(1) The writer analyzes HOW or WHY the text evidence presented supports the claim;

(2) The writer analyzes HOW specific words and phrases (diction) the writers support the claim;

(3) The writer explains for the reader exactly HOW or WHY the evidence supports the claim. If that
means writing an extra clarifying sentence (elaboration or extra step sentences), then the writer should
do that. In other words, the writer should be precise, and avoid situations in which the reader is forced
to assume or interpret meaning.

Because lead out is analysis, it often involves making inferences and drawing conclusions.
*****Thus, words such as suggests, implies, demonstrates, and indicates are often necessary to use.

Ex: These lines suggest that …

This description demonstrates…

Concluding
Sentences

Concluding Statement

○ A sentence that wraps up the main points of the paragraph, and may even restate the
topic sentence.

Example:
Jim and Della unknowingly demonstrate their love and devotion to each other by selflessly selling the things they treasured most in order to buy each other a gift.

Draw

Annotate the paragraph.

Using EBSR Questions to Create a Paragraph

Question 2: EBSR format

Part A: Why does the author choose to begin Blue Bird’s story in paragraph
2 with “so cruelly ended in a day”?

A.

To hint that Blue Bird will experience loss

B.

To explain why Blue Bird was unable to remember events of the past

C.

To suggest the reason for Blue Bird’s dissatisfaction with her marriage

D.

To indicate how long Blue Bird has been separated from her family

Part B:Which other phrase in the passage serves a similar purpose to the
answer to Part A?

A.

“...yearn for her own people.” (p1)

B.

“...a different kind of happiness…” (p2)

C.

“...robbed her of her family.” (p 2)

D.

“...long ago in a far-off place.” (p 2)

Open Ended

Write a "Super Six" paragraph for the EBSR question from the short story "Waterlily" by Ella Cara Deloria.

Part A: Why does the author include the flashback that starts in paragraph 3?

ANSWER: To explain a past event that changed Blue Bird’s life

Part B: Which detail from the passage support the answer to Part A?

ANSWER: "For the first time, Blue Bird remembered the details of the day she lost her family" (paragraph 2)

Multiple Choice

In the structure of a PARAGRAPH, what is STEP ONE?

• Topic Sentence

• Transition

• Lead-in

• Attributive Tag

• Text Evidence

Multiple Choice

In the structure of a PARAGRAPH, what is STEP TWO?

• Topic Sentence

• Transition

• Lead-in

• Attributive Tag

• Text Evidence

Multiple Choice

In the structure of a PARAGRAPH, what is STEP THREE?

• Concluding Sentence

• Transition

• Lead-in

• Attributive Tag

• Text Evidence

Multiple Choice

In the structure of a PARAGRAPH, what is STEP FOUR?

• Concluding Sentence

• Transition

• Lead-in

• Attributive Tag

• Text Evidence

Multiple Choice

In the structure of a PARAGRAPH, what is STEP FIVE?

• Concluding Sentence

• Lead-out

• MLA In-Text Citation

• Attributive Tag

• Text Evidence

Multiple Choice

In the structure of a PARAGRAPH, what is STEP SIX?

• Concluding Sentence

• Lead-out

• MLA In-Text Citation

• Attributive Tag

• Text Evidence

Multiple Choice

In the structure of a PARAGRAPH, what is STEP SEVEN?

• Concluding Sentence

• Lead-out

• MLA In-Text Citation

• Attributive Tag

• Text Evidence

Multiple Choice

In the structure of a PARAGRAPH, what is STEP EIGHT?

• Concluding Sentence

• Lead-out

• MLA In-Text Citation

• Attributive Tag

• Text Evidence