This document provides a checklist for analyzing the format and components of a paragraph, including identifying the topic sentence, concrete details, commentary statements, and concluding statement. It prompts the reader to evaluate whether these components are opinions that need proof, support the topic sentence, and are in the correct order. The checklist also reviews paragraph formatting and grammar.

2. Topic Sentence
Circle the topic sentence.
Is it an opinion?
Does it need to be proven?
Is it what the paragraph is about?

3. Concrete Details
Highlight the concrete details.
Is it an absolute fact?
If it is a quote, is it cited
correctly?
Does it seem to support the topic
sentence?

4. Commentary 1
Underline the first piece of
commentary once in each chunk.
Is it an opinion?
Does it address the concrete detail in
the context of the novel?

5. Commentary 2
Underline the second piece of
commentary twice in each chunk.
Is it an opinion?
Does it address the concrete detail in
the context of the topic sentence?

6. Concluding Statement
Circle the concluding statement.
Is it an opinion?
Is it redundant?
Does it tie up loose ends or fill in the
gaps well?
If there is no concluding statement,
does the paragraph need one?

7. Format
• Is it only ONE paragraph?
• Does the paragraph have two chunks?
• Looking at the handout:
• Is the heading on the left side?
• Does the heading include their name, subject, period,
and due date?
• Does it have the title?
• Is it double-spaced?
• Is it typed?
• Is the font correct?

8. Format (cont.)
• Is the paragraph in the following order?
– TS
– CD
– CM
– CM
– CD
– CM
– CM
– CS

9. Grammar
Check for all grammar:
Capitalization
Spelling
Punctuation
Run-ons & fragments
And so on….