WHAT IS PIE?
Make a PIE to build a better body paragraph.
Then, re-read the PIE to see how it turned out.
An introduction may begin with
a quote, but generally a body paragraph should not. While you may find that published articles
in newspapers
and periodicals contain quotes at the start of body paragraphs, this is
not usually an accepted convention in academic
writing. It
may be tempting to begin a body
paragraph by quoting from someone whose work you have read; perhaps you
like the wording or it simply
rang true, but your thoughts and ideas should come before someone
else's. In a body paragraph, always begin
with your point, that is, your thought, so as to advance your claim and
support the thesis. Think of a quote as one that should be sandwiched between your own ideas.
Think of the quote to be the meat of a sandwich or pie: 1) first,
present your thoughts, in your words 2) second of all, include
the quote so as to support your topic sentence 3) last of all,
explain/interpret the quote using your own words. Try PIE by following the instructions
below.
TRY PIE!
Develop the paragraph by using PIE.
POINT
What is your
POINT, your message?
ILLUSTRATE What
examples or evidence can you use
to ILLUSTRATE and support your point? Include your quote here.
EXPLAIN
How can you EXPLAIN the purpose
of
your “I”?
HOW DID THE PIE
TURN OUT?
Re-read and revise
the paragraph.
1. Read the paragraph all the way
through. What is the POINT that the author is making? Look
past the topic sentence. What is the author really saying?
2.Is this POINT stated in the topic
sentence? If no, what do you suggest?
3. How has the author shown or
ILLUSTRATED the point? Paraphrase what the author's "I" is here.
4. Has the author used facts, quotes
and/or concrete examples to ILLUSTRATE his/her point? Keep in
mind that statistics are more credible than one person’s experience.
How successful was the "I"? And, why?
5. Is there enough “meat” that
EXPLAINS the author's point? Is it clear why readers should care? What
do you recommend be added/changed?