Schaffer Model Paragraph
How to Write an Analytical Response Paragraph
The Schaffer Model paragraph is like a good burger!
Here is HOW you stack it:
TOPIC SENTENCE (TS) top bun
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CONCRETE DETAIL SENTENCE (CD) meat patty
COMMENTARY (CM) condiments
COMMENTARY (CM) fixins
CONCLUDING SENTENCE (CS) bottom bun

You may need to repeat the CD,CM,CM structure to fully address the
prompt: single patty, double patty, & all the condiments and fixins!
Topic Sentence (TS) -- The top bun
The Topic sentence represents the top bun of your hamburger.
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The topic sentence should contain your analysis assertion in a clear statement.
It must be a statement you have to PROVE.
This is the controlling idea of your paragraph.
Example Prompt: How does the author’s tone contribute to the theme of
this selection? You should immediately notice that you are going to have to analyze
two components in your paragraph: tone and theme. The author and title of the
selection and both devices/terms should be found in your topic sentence.
Topic Sentence (TS) -- The top bun Cont.
Let’s use “Superman and Me” for our example.
Example Prompt: How does the author’s tone contribute to the theme of
“Superman and Me”?
Example TS: In the selection “Superman and Me,” Sherman Alexie employs an
empowering and determined tone to highlight the lifesaving impact reading can have
on people, regardless of their circumstances.
Concrete Detail Sentence (CD) The Single Patty
The CD sentence provides proof to back up the assertion you made in your TS. This CD sentence
represents the meat of the single patty hamburger.
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You can provide this proof by using facts, examples, and embedding quotes from the
text as long as you are using them to provide proof for your assertion that is directly
related to the prompt.
Example CD: This tone is established in the title, and in the account of the day Alexie
taught himself to read as he describes images of a superhero “breaking down the
door” to save the day.
Let’s see where we are:
TS: In the selection “Superman and Me,” Sherman Alexie employs an empowering and
determined tone to highlight the lifesaving impact reading can have on people, regardless of
their circumstances. CD: This tone is established in the title, and in the account of the day
Alexie taught himself to read as he describes powerful images of a superhero “breaking down
the door” to save the day.
Commentary Sentence (CM) The single patty add Mustard
The first CM Sentence represents the condiments you put on your burger that make it yours-the mustard, mayo, or catsup, but you are only choosing one for now. You already have your
patty. Now, add some mustard!

This is your chance to provide original analysis, explanation, interpretation or insight
into the text.
CM example: Superman, a symbol of power and might, instantly conveys the idea that
Alexie relates teaching himself to read at such an early age to a feeling of
empowerment--the ability to break down barriers holding him back-- a feeling that
grows in strength as he gets older and devours any written material he can get his
hands on.
Commentary Sentence (CM) The single patty add Cheese
The second CM Sentence represents the fixins you put on your burger that make it yours-- the
cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, or onions (if you dare), but you are only choosing one for now. You
already have your patty & mustard. Now, add some cheese!

This is your chance to provide additional original analysis, explanation, interpretation or
insight into the text.
CM example: Education has often been said to give people power over the direction of
their lives, and Alexie’s appetite for reading and learning empowers him to leave the
reservation where smart boys are negatively stereotyped and head out into the world
where he creates a successful career in writing.
Let’s see where we are:
TS: In the selection “Superman and Me,” Sherman Alexie employs an empowering and
determined tone to highlight the lifesaving impact reading can have on people, regardless of
their circumstances. CD: His empowering tone is established in the title, and in the account of
the day Alexie taught himself to read as he describes images of a superhero “breaking down the
door” to save the day. CM: Superman, a symbol of power and might, instantly conveys the idea
that Alexie relates teaching himself to read at such an early age to a feeling of empowerment-the ability to break down barriers holding him back-- a feeling that grows in strength as he gets
older and devours any written material he can get his hands on. CM: Education has often been
said to give people power over the direction of their lives, and Alexie’s appetite for reading and
learning empowers him to leave the reservation where smart boys are negatively stereotyped,
and head out into the world where he creates a successful career in writing.

Because I am talking about two tones in my topic sentence, I want to add
another patty, condiment, and fixin so I have thoroughly addressed the
prompt.
Concrete Detail Sentence (CD) The Double Patty
This CD sentence provides more proof to back up the assertion you made in your TS.
This CD sentence represents the meat of the double patty hamburger. You’ve already added
the first patty, mustard as a condiment, and cheese as a fixin’. It’s time to add a second patty!
CD example: Alexie’s determined attitude to “save {his} life” is evident when he
recalls that although he was living in an environment where Indians were “expected
to fail” outside of the reservation, he not only “refused to fail,” but also goes on to
empower other kids in the same situation by throwing himself “against their locked
doors” the way Superman did for him.
Commentary Sentence (CM) The Double patty add Mayo
The first CM Sentence represents the condiments you put on your burger that make it yours-the mustard, mayo, or catsup, but you are only choosing one for now. You’ve already used
mustard, but now you need another condiment to add to your hamburger, let’s use mayo.

This is your chance to provide original analysis, explanation, interpretation or insight
into the text.
CM example: When people find themselves in circumstances that threaten the
outcome of their futures, they must make a conscious decision to do whatever they
need to do to turn that situation around and create a way out, and Alexie does just
that through his determination to become his own superhero through reading and
writing.
Commentary Sentence (CM) The Double patty w/ Lettuce
The second CM Sentence represents the fixins you put on your burger that make it yours-- the
cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, or onions (if you dare). You have already used cheese, now it is time
to add some lettuce.

This is your chance to provide additional original analysis, explanation, interpretation or
insight into the text.
CM example: Not only does he save his own life, but he is also determined to fight for
the lives of children just like him by speaking to classes on the same reservation about
books and writing in spite of the fact that some of them do not yet realize their lives
are at risk.
Concluding Sentence (CS) The Bottom Bun
The Concluding sentence is represented by the bottom bun of your hamburger.

This sentences finishes everything off and rephrases the topic sentence, or assertion.
CS example: Through his empowering and determined tone, Alexie shows that reading
can break through locked doors and save the day for anyone who is willing to give it a
chance.
Double Meat Hamburger: add mustard, cheese, mayo & lettuce
Topic Sentence (TS) Top Bun
Concrete Detail Sentence (CD) Meat Patty #1
Commentary Sentence (CM) add Mustard
Commentary Sentence (CM)add cheese
Concrete Detail Sentence (CD) meat patty #2
Commentary Sentence (CM) add mayo
Commentary Sentence (CM) add lettuce
Concluding sentence (CS) bottom bun
Double Meat Hamburger: add mustard, cheese, mayo & lettuce
How does the author’s tone contribute to the theme of “Superman
and Me”?
TS: In the selection “Superman and Me,” Sherman Alexie employs an empowering and
determined tone to highlight the lifesaving impact reading can have on people,
regardless of their circumstances. CD: His empowering tone is established in the title,
and in the account of the day Alexie taught himself to read as he describes images of a
superhero “breaking down the door” to save the day. CM: Superman, a symbol of
power and might, instantly conveys the idea that Alexie relates teaching himself to read
at such an early age to a feeling of empowerment--the ability to break down barriers
holding him back-- a feeling that grows in strength as he gets older and devours any
written material he can get his hands on. CM: Education has often been said to give
people power over the direction of their lives, and Alexie’s appetite for reading and
learning empowers him to leave the reservation where smart boys are negatively
stereotyped, and head out into the world where he creates a successful career in
writing. CD: Alexie’s determined attitude to “save {his} life” is evident when he recalls
that although he was living in an environment where Indians were “expected to fail”
outside of the reservation, he not only “refused to fail,” but also goes on to empower
other kids in the same situation by throwing himself “against their locked doors” the
way Superman did for him. CM: When people find themselves in circumstances that
threaten the outcome of their futures, they must make a conscious decision to do
whatever they need to do to turn that situation around and create a way out, and Alexie
does just that through his determination to become his own superhero through reading
and writing. CM: Not only does he save his own life, but he is also determined to fight
for the lives of children just like him by speaking to classes on the same reservation
about books and writing in spite of the fact that some of them do not yet realize their
lives are at risk. CS: Through his empowering and determined tone, Alexie shows that
reading can break through locked doors and save the day for anyone who is willing to
give it a chance.