quotes and evidence

Ash444

how do I write a paragraph in text analysis ? Do I write the topic sentence first and then I write a quote and explain it and repeat it again ? or do I write 3 main ideas within the topic sentence and embed quotes within the interpretation ? Also how many pieces of quotes per paragprag is good ? and how long should they be ?

TSE-Tuition

Hi Ash444! I'm assuming you're asking about TEEL in English, so please ignore this if that's not the case 🙂

TEEL is the acronym used to structure a body paragraph for text response essays. Most students from Years 9-12 will write 3 body paragraphs in one essay, plus an introduction at the start and a conclusion at the end. The question you asked about topic sentences including 3 points tells me you're a little confused about contentions vs topic sentences. To clarify, a contention is the overall argument of your whole essay (ie your 1-sentence answer to the essay prompt) , while the topic sentence is the idea of each individual body paragraph.

The TEEL structure stands for: Topic sentence, Evidence, Explain, Link. Evidence is where you provide evidence (quotes, stage directions, CAMELS, etc), and the Explanation is your analysis of the provided evidence. How many repetitions is required depends on your year level, but we generally expect at least 3 in Year 12. In terms of the number of quotes and the length of quotes - it's not really about the quantity, it's all about the quality! Do not use a whole sentence for a quote, and try to paraphrase them within your sentence so that your voice shines through.

We've just finished up a video series all about TEEL here if you'd like a more in-depth explanation, and we are currently working on some blog posts with examples of what (not) to do here 🙂

Ash444

TSE-Tuition thanks a lot for the advice I will definitely check our the links

Ash444

TSE-Tuition also should the topic sentences just include the idea, and can they include the names of character and events ?

TSE-Tuition

Ash444 I don't like giving absolute guidelines for writing (because there will almost-always be a way to make something work), but my advice is to ask yourself: 'is this about something factual or is this about what I think?'

Remember the topic sentence is what your BP is about, so it shouldn't be about an event or facts about a character! Rather, it should be about what YOU think about the character or event. So a sentence like 'Macbeth dies at the end of the play' is about the facts of the play, whereas 'Macbeth dies at the end of the play due to his inability to control his and his wife's ambition' is about what you think about the fact that he died - that it is due to his moral and personal weakness. 🙂

Mina

Guyysss does anyone have any tips on writing a top notch analytical essay as well as an amazing creative writing piece. PLZ RESPOND AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. Ty 😃