“Break it down for me, fellas” – Young MC
Breaking it Down
Some writers end their introductions with a thesis statement, and this a mistake. As we’ve established, the thesis statement is essential and does set up the focus of the essay, but this larger focus needs to be broken down into smaller chunks or points that will become the topic of each body paragraph to follow the introduction. This is where the POPs come in.
POP stands for point of paragraph, and the job of each POP is to tell the reader specifically what the point each body paragraph in the essay will be. POPs subdivide the thesis statement into structured subtopics. Without this additional structure, an essay can easily wander and go off on unwanted tangents. Each body paragraph must focus on a specific aspect of the thesis statement, and the POPs, within the introduction, control and limit the scope of each body paragraph.
So How Do POPs Work?
Here’s a simple example of how POPs work: Let’s say that the subject of an essay is swimming pools. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll say the thesis statement is: This paper is all about swimming pools. The subject here is clear, but we need some specifics. The reader wants to know what the writer is going to say about swimming pools, and there are literally hundreds of things that could be discussed, but what is this essay about. For a basic essay, the writer would need to narrow the thesis down two two or three main ideas or points. Okay, so under the thesis of swimming pools, the writer might write about the following: 1. Ideal water temperature 2. Slides and diving boards 3. Keeping pools clean. These three items are the POPs. Here’s a different look:
Thesis Statement: Swimming pools
POP 1: Ideal water temperature
POP 2: Slides and diving boards
POP 3: Keeping pools clean
By identifying these sub-elements of the thesis, the writer has now focused, and frankly simplified, her task. She is not going to be talking about how to organize a pool party, or how to find a good lifeguard or water noodle fighting techniques. She is going to provide research and commentary in her body paragraphs on these three topics only. Making these choices creates structure and order within the essay.
Here’s another example based on the type of essay you might see in an English class:
Thesis Statement: In order to create suspense and to prepare the reader for upcoming plot developments, Sharon Creech foreshadows the deaths of three main characters in her novel, Walk Two Moons.
POP 1: This paper will trace how the author carefully and persistently foreshadows the demise of the protagonist, Salamanca Tree Hiddle’s mother.
POP 2: It will also reveal how her grandmother’s death, as the result of a snakebite, is portended early and often during the story.
POP 3: Finally, we’ll see how the author gives us ample, albeit, subtle clues regarding the death of Salamanca’s infant sister, Tulip.
Notice that each POP supports and follows the thesis statement, is very specific, and is somewhat different from the other POPs. Each POP will be discussed in detail in an elaborate body paragraph later, and (this is important) they will be discussed in the same order that they appear in the introduction and, again, in the conclusion.
How many POPs Do I Need?
That depends. Remember, every POP you include means you are adding another body paragraph. An in-class, short response essay might just have a single POP. A 5-paragraph essay will have 3 POPs (Intro + 3 POPs + Conclusion), the 4-paragraph essay will have 2 POPs, and so on…
How Do I Begin my POPs?
For beginning writers it can be helpful to begin each POP with the phrases, “First”, “Second” and, “Finally”; these phrases will keep you on track. You can also begin each POP with phrases like, “This paper will begin with an analysis of..” or “Next, I will discuss…” With more experience, you can go in different directions with how you start your POPs. The essaypop app provides you with a number of different POP Starters that are easily accessed in the pulldown curtin located in the bottom-center of each POP writing frame. If you become stuck on how to introduce each POP, check this section out for ideas.
What if I Forget a Pop?
The cool thing about essaypop is that when you add a POP, a corresponding body paragraph block will automatically show up in the same order that you wrote it in your introduction. What’s more, your POP will be waiting for you at the top of the body-paragraph writing area to remind you what the topic of the body paragraph is. With this feature, you can’t help but be organized.
POP Models
What follows are some examples of how POPs are used in actual essays. They are shown as they appear following the thesis statement (the hook and closer are not shown here). Each POP is highlighted in light purple. They are also numbered so as to be easily distinguished from one another.
The Shorties
The first two models are from shorter, in-class essays
Model #1
Type of essay: response to literature
The prompt: In a text-evidence-based, multiple-paragraph essay, give your reaction to Denise Levertov’s short poem, “Moon Tiger”.
“Moon Tiger”, Denise Levertov explores this theme of the fantastic, and sometimes even delusional nature of childhood imagination. (1) In the nighttime world she creates, the moonlight that enters a child’s bedroom is transformed into a prowling tiger in a manner that only a child’s imagination can do.
Why the POP works
This single POP is from in-class, short-response-essay. The POP provides just a bit more direction by adding a focused detail to the thesis statement. The result will be a quick, 3-paragraph essay [ Intro + Body + Conclusion]
Model #2
Type of essay: response to literature
The prompt: In a text-evidence-based, multiple-paragraph essay, discuss how the opinions expressed in the literature of Walt Whitman, Pink Floyd, Albert Einstein and the bloggers of quora all present similar criticism of education, educational reform and learning in general.
All of the literature we have been reading recently are comparable to Whitman’s poem in terms of how they comment on the issues of education, educational reform and learning in general. (1) I will begin this paper with an analysis of Whitman’s poem itself and show what a truly poignant comment on education it truly is. (2) I will also show how Whitman’s wandering, wondering pupil probably would have had much to talk about with the children in Pink Floyd’s, “Another Brick in the Wall, Part 2”, as these students also seem very disillusioned with their teachers. (3) Finally, I will review Whitman’s poem in the light of Albert Einstein’s famous quote about the fish who thought he was stupid, but really wasn’t, and bring in the expert opinions of the bloggers from the website Quora who took the time to analyze that quote.
Why these POPs work
Each POP distinctly supports the thesis statement, but is also unique and sufficiently different from one another. The tone of these POPs is relaxed and conversational. You don’t always have to say, “I will” to begin your POPs, but it works for some beginning writers. Feel free to eliminate that phrase if it bothers you. Each POP clearly defines the following body paragraphs will be about.
Model #3
Type of essay: Argumentative
The prompt: In a multiple-paragraph essay explore a factor or several factors that led to the sinking of the RMS Titanic and the deaths of over 1,500 passengers.
I believe that it is clear from the evidence that it was the Titanic’s chief architect, Thomas Andrews, who was mainly responsible for the tragic event. (1) Afterall, It was Andrews who made the decision to remove many of the bulkhead walls which caused the water to leak uncontrollably into the ship. (2) He also made the ill-fated decision to eliminate many of the necessary lifeboats so that the cruise ship’s deck wouldn’t appear cluttered. (3) Finally, to save money, Mr. Andrews purchased substandard materials, including rivets and steel for the hull that made the Titanic weaker than it should have been.
Why these POPs work
Each POP distinctly supports the thesis statement, but is also unique and sufficiently different from one another. These POPs flow very nicely from the thesis statement. Each POP clearly defines what the following body paragraphs will be about.
Model #4
Type of essay: persuasive / argumentative
The prompt: Pit Bulls are commonly considered to be unpredictable and even vicious animals. They are frequently portrayed in the media as enough of a societal threat that they should be subject to stringent leashing requirements and prohibited from public spaces such as playgrounds and dog parks. Do you believe that pit bulls should be singled out and restricted because of their vicious natures?
The evidence shows that despite frequent attempts by the media and public at large to portray pit bulls as vicious and savage animals, they are in fact a friendly and loyal breed, and any attempt to treat them as especially dangerous would be irrational and unfair. (1) This paper will show that despite popular conceptions, pitbulls are statistically not more prone to bite or attack humans than other dogs. (2) Additionally, it will be shown that pit bulls are demonstrably more likely to protect people than harm them. (3) Finally, we will see that pitbulls are more intelligent and trainable than many other canine breeds.
Why these POPs work: Each POP distinctly supports the thesis statement, but is also unique and sufficiently different from one another. The words “Additionally” and “Finally” help to define and clarify the second and third POP. Each POP clearly defines what the following body paragraphs will be about.
Model #5
Type of essay: persuasive / argumentative
The prompt: People have a natural, almost primal fear of rattlesnakes. Often the first reaction to seeing a rattler in a residential area is panic and fear. In areas such as suburban Southern California, is it possible for rattlesnakes and humans to coexist with one another?
Human beings and rattlesnakes seem a truly unlikely pair, but in many suburban regions of Southern California, Arizona and Nevada people and rattlers have coexisted in most unexpected ways. You might even call the relationship downright amicable. (1) This paper will focus on examples of people coexisting peacefully with deadly snakes. It will focus on ways in which rattlesnakes are actually beneficial to suburban environments. (2) It will explore the activities of local snake preservation societies that exist for the sole purpose of protecting these snakes from those who might do them harm. (3) Finally, this paper will transition to a discussion of ways that people living in rattlesnake country can keep themselves and their families safe from these deadly, but necessary, creatures.
Why these POPs work
Each POP distinctly supports the thesis statement, but is also unique and sufficiently different from one another. The phrases, “This paper will focus on…”, It will explore…” and “Finally,” all help to clarify each POP. Each POP clearly defines what each of the following body paragraphs will be about.
Model #6
Type of essay: response to literature
The prompt: In a multiple-paragraph essay discuss a recurring theme that is addressed in Smokey Robinson’s two songs, “The Tracks of My Tears” and “The Tears of a Clown”.
Of course, another common reaction to heartbreak is good old-fashioned repression and denial. Such is the case in Smokey Robinson’s songs, “The Tracks of My Tears” and “The Tears of a Clown”. These songs, both lyrically and musically, explore the feelings of men who wear masks of happiness to hide deep heartache caused by being rejected by the ones they love. (1) This paper will focus not only on specifically how these songs show the way lovelorn men often hide their emotions, but (2) will delve into the symbols, allusions, and figurative language each tune implements to help drive this theme home.
Why these POPs work
Each POP distinctly supports the thesis statement, but is also unique and sufficiently different from one another. These two POPs are combined into a single complex, compound sentence. Each POP clearly defines the following body paragraphs will be about.
Model #7
Type of essay: Narrative procedure (how to)
The prompt: In a text-evidence-based, multiple-paragraph essay, explain how to prepare a favorite food item of yours.
The fact is, creating the perfect PB & J is more challenging and artful then one might think, and the chef who constructs this simple delicacy must pay close attention to the little details. (1) For instance, the choice of peanut butter is critical and most folks would be surprised at how commonly available the perfect nut spread is. (2) Jelly choice is also important, and, in the case of this ingredient, a little more effort and discernment is required. (3) Finally, the bread that frames the aforementioned ingredients must be carefully considered (and here’s a hint — healthy grains need not apply).
Why these POPs work
Each POP distinctly supports the thesis statement, but is also unique and sufficiently different from one another. The phrases, “for instance” and “finally” help with the flow of the writing.
Model #8
Type of essay: response to literature
The prompt: In a multiple-paragraph essay, compare the recurring themes found in William Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 130” and Chet Baker’s version of Rodgers and Hart’s song, “My Funny Valentine”.
That’s what makes William Shakespeare’s Sonnet 130 and Rodgers and Hart’s “My Funny Valentine” so very interesting. These two very popular, but very unlikely expressions of love can be compared in a number of intriguing ways. (1) Both works are notable in that they seem to denigrate the very women whom they supposedly love. In one sense they can be said to be cruel “anti-love” poems. But they can be compared in other ways as well. (2) An alternative way of understanding these works is that they both are advocating honesty as the deepest form of romantic expression; they assert that that everyone has flaws and that beauty is, after all, only skin deep, and that only true honesty can equate to true love. (3) Another, equally valid, theory states that the women being described are not flawed or unattractive, but very ill and at the end of their days. In this context, the descriptions are not mean-spirited, but rather the literal physical descriptions of heartbroken men who are about to lose their dearest partners.
Why these POPs work
Each POP distinctly supports the thesis statement, but is also unique and sufficiently different from one another. These POPs are each a little longer; about two sentences apiece. These POPs are very smooth and clearly written by a more experienced writer. Each POP clearly defines what each of the following body paragraphs will be about.
