Sustaining a Literary Argument Across an Essay · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

Hold one claim from first line to last

English · Reading Comprehension · ages 16-18
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. What is the job of a paragraph opening sentence?

    • to summarize the next plot event
    • to quote the text at length
    • to move the thesis one step forward

  2. How should essay paragraphs be ordered?

    • by the argument, each point resting on the earlier one
    • by where the quotes appear in the book
    • from shortest paragraph to longest

  3. A well written paragraph that does not serve the thesis should still be cut.

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. Which use of a quote keeps the essay about your argument?

    • a short line folded into your sentence with a signal phrase and an explanation
    • a block of six lines dropped in without comment
    • a quote alone as the whole paragraph

  5. Paragraph A proves the mask cracks, paragraph B assumes the mask exists. Which order argues better?

    • A then B, following book order
    • B then A, so the later point rests on the earlier one
    • either, since order never matters

  6. A draft paragraph beautifully describes chapter four but links nothing to the thesis. What does the check say?

    • keep it for its beautiful writing
    • cut it, since it moves no part of the case
    • move it to the introduction

  7. Two paragraphs both serve the thesis, but the weaker repeats the stronger move. What is the repair?

    • keep both, since both mention the thesis
    • cut or rebuild the weaker so every paragraph adds a new move
    • merge them into one long quote

  8. An essay walks chapter one to chapter ten in order, each paragraph summarizing well. What is the diagnosis?

    • a strong sustained argument
    • a thesis proven ten times over
    • a start-to-finish tour describing the book instead of arguing a case
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

Hold one claim from first line to last W1-mt_GeEKS_WMne-s1

  1. to move the thesis one step forward · Every paragraph must advance the single claim of the essay.
  2. by the argument, each point resting on the earlier one · The order follows the case being built, not the tour of the text.
  3. True · Serving the thesis is the standard, not beauty on its own.
  4. a short line folded into your sentence with a signal phrase and an explanation · Short, embedded and explained quotes serve the claim instead of replacing it.
  5. B then A, so the later point rests on the earlier one · The case must establish the mask before it can crack it.
  6. cut it, since it moves no part of the case · The first check is the thesis, and this paragraph serves nothing in it.
  7. cut or rebuild the weaker so every paragraph adds a new move · Mentioning the claim is not enough. Each paragraph must advance it.
  8. a start-to-finish tour describing the book instead of arguing a case · Book order replaced argument order, so no case builds across paragraphs.
Worksheet · LightMySky