knowt logo

S.I.E.L Method

4/7/22

  • The SIEL Method is used to construct your paper into well-organized paragraphs, allowing for the implementation and analysis of evidence.

S - State your argument.

  • Give your reader the main idea of the paragraph and answers that support the thesis.

  • [Clearly, this work reveals…] 2 paragraphs

  • State why Poe or Emerson would like this piece.

I - Illustrate your argument with a quotation/paragraph from the text/selection.

  • Give examples from the text to support your point of view.

  • [For instance/example, his/her (author) work emphasis on __________ appears when he/she describes __________.]

E - Explain how the quotation or paraphrase (Illustrate it!) illustrates the argument. (State it!)

  • Should be twice as long as your illustration

  • [This reflects ________.]

L - Link the present argument to the next argument by making a smooth transition.

  • Use transition words between paragraphs

  • So you must decide… are you finished, or do you need to include more examples?

  • The answer is in the prompt and your statement.

  • Are you done? Have you given enough examples to sufficiently prove your argument? If not, go back to Statement.

  • Statement: How does this poem relate to Poe’s or Emerson’s characteristics?

  • Link your paragraph back to the main idea.

  • Helpful Hint: Whether you’re proving one characteristic or four, you need to be sure to always include as many examples as possible. If you’re proving four characteristics, provide at least one example for each. If you’re proving one characteristic, give your readers at least 3-4 examples (illustrations) of that characteristic!

  • [However, a second/third/fourth major theme of _____ is _____.]

4/7/22

  • The SIEL Method is used to construct your paper into well-organized paragraphs, allowing for the implementation and analysis of evidence.

S - State your argument.

  • Give your reader the main idea of the paragraph and answers that support the thesis.

  • [Clearly, this work reveals…] 2 paragraphs

  • State why Poe or Emerson would like this piece.

I - Illustrate your argument with a quotation/paragraph from the text/selection.

  • Give examples from the text to support your point of view.

  • [For instance/example, his/her (author) work emphasis on __________ appears when he/she describes __________.]

E - Explain how the quotation or paraphrase (Illustrate it!) illustrates the argument. (State it!)

  • Should be twice as long as your illustration

  • [This reflects ________.]

L - Link the present argument to the next argument by making a smooth transition.

  • Use transition words between paragraphs

  • So you must decide… are you finished, or do you need to include more examples?

  • The answer is in the prompt and your statement.

  • Are you done? Have you given enough examples to sufficiently prove your argument? If not, go back to Statement.

  • Statement: How does this poem relate to Poe’s or Emerson’s characteristics?

  • Link your paragraph back to the main idea.

  • Helpful Hint: Whether you’re proving one characteristic or four, you need to be sure to always include as many examples as possible. If you’re proving four characteristics, provide at least one example for each. If you’re proving one characteristic, give your readers at least 3-4 examples (illustrations) of that characteristic!

  • [However, a second/third/fourth major theme of _____ is _____.]