An example of a paragraph using the ICE method
Using fiction literature: From Lord of the Flies by William Golding
I = Introduce the idea, issue, or claim
C = Cite the quote or evidence
E = Explain the quote in your own words
Details Each of these
sentences is a detail
that supports the
topic sentence.
Cite the Quote Here is the quote
used from the text to
illustrate the idea in
the topic sentence.
NOTE: The page
number follows the
quote and precedes
the period.
Ralph is described as athletic, and charismatic in the Lord Introduce the idea, issue, or
claim with a Topic
of the Flies. He was also the one who brought the rest of the
Sentence - The topic
boys together with the blowing of the conch. It seemed only
sentence establishes a focus
natural that he would be elected the leader of the boys at the
for the paragraph; in this
beginning of the novel. Piggy and Jack could also have been
case, how Ralph is being
elected the leaders. But as the boys are deciding who to elect,
described.
Ralph is observed as having more to offer than the others: “But
introduce the quote there was a stillness about Ralph as he sat that marked him out: ...then,
Information that starts to
there was his size, and attractive appearance; and most
build to the quoted example,
obscurely, yet most powerfully, there was the conch” (22). Both which is the strongest piece
the attractive and powerful appearance of Ralph and the power of supporting evidence
of the conch which has brought the boys together and that he
Explain the quote - The
holds makes Ralph the most appealing leader to most of the
most important and usually
the meatiest part of the
boys. Throughout the novel, Ralph will try to bring order,
paragraph, which explains
civilization, and leadership to an island of boys who are more
and interprets the ideas in
concerned with playing and having fun and not working.
the quote.
A properly formed paragraph will meet the following requirements:
•
•
•
•
The topic sentence addresses the single, main idea in the paragraph.
The paragraph clearly describes who is talking or thinking and what the situation is before the quote appears.
The paragraph uses transitional phrases such as for example.
The explanation consists of 2-5 sentences that do not simply repeat what is stated in the quote.
A 2nd example of a paragraph using the ICE method
Using non-fiction texts/research: Argumentative Essay on Social Media
I = Introduce the idea, issue, or claim
C = Cite the quote or evidence
E = Explain the quote in your own words
Details Each of these
sentences is a detail
that supports the
topic sentence.
Cite the Quote Here is the quote
used from the text to
illustrate the idea in
the topic sentence.
NOTE: The page
number follows the
quote and precedes
the period.
One of the main reasons we question whether or not social
Introduce the idea, issue, or
networks affect the academic achievement of a student is because claim with a Topic
it can cause mental inability. As the prominent philosopher put it, Sentence - The topic
"...young adults and teenagers are valuing themselves by the
sentence establishes a focus
number of 'likes' and 'comment' boxes that their friends like on or for the paragraph; in this
comment on. Choosing to accommodate one's value on oneself by case, how Ralph is being
described.
the number of likes or comments an individual receives is
unhealthy for the young teenagers and adulthood. This might
...then, introduce the quote Information that starts to
damage their mental health and thereby affects one's academic
build
to the quoted example,
achievement or performance" (Prashaka & Bareh 2013 p. 2). In
which is the strongest piece
other words, the author believes that on Facebook teenagers are
of supporting evidence
forming a society based on 'likes,' comment and popularity. This
can lead to unhealthy situations. Constantly posting statuses for
Explain the quote - The
most important and usually
likes or comments can lead a person astray, causing them to lost
the meatiest part of the
contract with the world and their studies. The search for online
paragraph, which explains
popularity can dominate the life of a student, further leading them and interprets the ideas in
to close their books on turn to their screens.
the quote.
A properly formed paragraph will meet the following requirements:
•
•
•
•
The topic sentence addresses the single, main idea in the paragraph.
The paragraph clearly describes who is talking or thinking and what the situation is before the quote appears.
The paragraph uses transitional phrases such as for example.
The explanation consists of 2-5 sentences that do not simply repeat what is stated in the quote.