The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphDo you enjoy cheeseburgers? Lets assume for

the sake of this exercise, you do!Think for a moment about the ingredients of

this greatest of American inventions.(Actually, the concept of the “burger” was

German in origin, but as Americans, we feel free to take credit for other’s achievements.

What are the primary building blocks for this culinary delight?

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphObviously, the core of the burger is the patty of

meat, normally beef, but also can be turkey, soy or veggie.

You also need some type of bread, roll, bun or English Muffin to “hold” it.

Then there are any number of accoutrements available to provide more flavor to your burger.

Essentially, the two basics are the patty and the bun.

But, does that simple combination seem appetizing to you?

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphDepending upon your guest’s, or your own

personal taste, we generally avoid providing a burger that is devoid of any cheese, ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, tomato…(You get the picture)

Providing just the patty and the bun is also known as the “bootleg burger.”

To make the experience as enjoyable as possible, care must be take to build a tantalizing taste treat.

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphJust as you can construct a cheeseburger, so to

can you create a paragraph.Considering that these paragraphs are for

someone else’s consumption, (mine), there are some key things you need to consider when creating your paragraphs.

If you can master the construction of the paragraph, your writing will improve greatly.

Remember, that the paragraph is the smaller version (microcosm) of the essay (macrocosm).

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphAgain, the burger two basic elements: the bun and

the burgerThis, technically, is a burger. But it is bootleg, unappetizing, and difficult to

digest.If you were served one of these, you probably

would be disappointed.A paragraph contains some basic elements as well.Two basic elements would be the introductory

and concluding sentences and a main idea that is being presented.

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphThe introductory and concluding

sentences provide a basic framework that allows your reader to “grasp” the the paragraph, just as the bun allows you to grasp the burger.

The central idea of the paragraph is the “patty”. The more simplistic and poorly constructed this idea is, the more difficult it will be for me to “digest” your paragraph.

Hence, building a proper Cheeseburger and writing a concise and interesting paragraph have some elements in common.

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphCheeseburgerNeeds a top and

bottom bun to allow the eater to grasp it.

Failure to so creates difficulty for the eater to consume it properly.

The eater is the reader

ParagraphNeeds a topic

sentence and a concluding sentence to allow your reader to “grasp” the basic idea presented in your paragraph.

The reader is the eater

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphCheeseburgerNeeds a patty!This is the heart of

the burger, and is the essential substance of the burger.

It must be properly formed and cooked for your eater.

ParagraphNeeds a central idea. That is the heart of

the paragraph. It must be properly

thought out, and presented in an “appetizing” manner for your reader.

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphCheeseburger Do not include two

patty’s on one bun! This will give me a

“Big Mack Attack.” Further, your single

patty must be substantial.

In other words, make your patty a “fatty.”

Paragraph Do not include two main

ideas in one paragraph. This will give me a “Big

Mack Attack.” Chances are if you

include two main ideas, you will not develop ,both of them properly.

Make your “patty” a “fatty”

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphCheeseburgerNeeds condiments and

other ingredients to add flavor to the burger.

Adding Mustard, ketchup, mayonaise, tomatoes increasxe the likelhood that your guest, me, will enjoy the burger more.

ParagraphNeeds supporting details

to clarify and substantiate the major idea that you have presented

These details, facts, examples make your paragraph more understandable.

You cannot rely simply on your opinion to win over your reader.

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphTo re-cap, the structure of the paragraph

actually mirrors the structure of the essay.It does not mater if your essay is five

paragraphs long for a freshmen global class, or a hundred page paper that is your senior thesis in College. The basic format remains the same.

The better you are able to understand the parallel between these two, the greater the possibility that you will be able to write in a concise and interesting manner.

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphThe ParagraphTopic Sentence:

Provides the reader with a basic idea of what the paragraph will focus on.

Provides a critical key word or phrase that identifies the main idea of the paragraph

The EssayIntroduction:

provides the reader with a general idea of the focus of the essay.

Provides a key word or phrase that identifies the topic clearly, and allows the reader too anticipate what is to follow.

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphThe ParagraphThe body of the

paragraph is constructed to include details, facts and examples that further support the main idea you have introduced in the topic sentence

These serve to give your ideas veracity, or truth.

The EssayBody paragraphs

will support the main idea that you presented in the introduction.

They are like columns that support the roof of a structure.

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphThe ParagraphThe Concluding Sentence will wrap up the paragraph.

It serves as a reminder of for the reader that you have addressed the issue properly.

This leaves the reader with a satisfied feeling.

The EssayThe Conclusion will

wrap up the essay.It provides the

reader with an opportunity to think back on what they have read.

If done properly, the reader will leave the essay feeling satisfied

The “Cheeseburger” ParagraphLet’s summarize:Building the paragraph will allow you to build

the essayLook to the cheeseburger as your guide,

and remember to provide the reader with: Something to hang on to (Top and Bottom)A substantial burgerTasty and numerous additions to the basic

burger to add flavor