This document provides instructions for writing a short response paragraph. It begins by emphasizing the importance of understanding the prompt question and forming a clear thesis or claim to answer. The thesis should take the form of a topic plus a debatable opinion. Two common thesis formats are presented: using "Although" to state the opposite view that will be disproven, or a three-part thesis giving the broad argument and three supporting reasons. Body paragraphs should each include a topic sentence, three quotes or details from the text as evidence, and commentary explaining how the evidence supports the topic sentence. Paragraphs are concluded by summarizing how the evidence proves the thesis.

1. How to Write a Short
Response
Paragraph—the
Basics
By Mrs. W. Scruggs
Pinecrest

2. Before you start, make sure you
understand the question!
• What does the prompt ask you to do or answer?
• What do you want to prove to answer the prompt?
• This answer will become the CLAIM (THESIS) you will prove with
your essay.
• So what is a thesis/claim?
– Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion
– If the thesis isn’t debatable, then you have nothing to
prove. There are some easy ways to do this. This is the most
important sentence for your essay. If this is weak, then your
essay will be weak, too!

3. Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion
So there are a couple of ways to simply give yourself something to
prove with most essay prompts:
1. Although…, …
With this thesis starter, you start with a dependent clause that is
the opposite of what you want to prove, then state what you
really think. ***DO NOT EVER WRITE “I’m going to show, I’m going
to prove, or anything with I in it!!!! That is NOT formal writing for
academic purposes.
Example: Although the princess in “The Lady or the Tiger” loves
the youth and wants to be with him, she cannot overcome her
own nature and sends him to his death.
Dependent clause that is the
opposite of your claim!
Independent clause that is what
you will prove in your essay!

4. Thesis statement= Topic + debatable opinion
2. 3-part thesis statement …because + 3 reasons
With this thesis starter, you start with a statement of what you want to prove broadly,
because…then you give 3 reasons why.
It should
*Be arguable
*Have three parts
*Be parallel in structure
Sample of how to form it: I want to argue that social network sites are good for kids and
society.
Now I need to think of three points
Social networks…
(this is your broad
idea or issue)
Connect people (key point #1)
Educate people (key point #2)
Entertain people (key point #3)
Notice that each part of the prong starts with a verb
in the same form. This is parallel structure For a
paragraph, each point will be supported with a
detail from the piece or image!

5. THE
Body Paragraph Format:
TS (topic sentence): this is the THESIS (CLAIM) that you will prove
in this paragraph.
*CD/E #1(Concrete Detail/Evidence
sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as
For instance, ….and then a quote from the text.
*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for
AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.
*CD/E #2(Concrete Detail/Evidence
sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as
For instance, ….and then a quote from the text.
*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for
AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.
*CD/E #3(Concrete Detail/Evidence
sentence)Use a transition word or phrase such as
For instance, ….and then a quote from the text.
*Commentary/Analysis: 2-3 sentences (or more for
AP)that explain HOW the CD/E proves this topic.
Conclusion (Summary sentence): this is a summary (1 sentence) explaining how this
topic proves your thesis. An easy way to do this is to start with Because...(then state
your three points from evidence--don’t re-write the quotes)…, then the word proves
that … (insert the idea from your topic sentence).
You will write at LEAST 3
of these body
paragraphs. You write
MORE if the paper is
longer—or for AP!!

6. Never write the words In conclusion!! If
you do this, it’s VERY WEAK and you’re
NOT concluding it!!! Just do what I’ve told
you to do.