In academic writing, internal paragraph development (organization) helps writers to clearly incorporate evidence and to share their ideas. For this class, you may wish to use the NO TEARS paragraph method for body paragraphs. Note, this method should not be used for the introduction and conclusion paragraphs.

NOTE: The examples below do not correspond to our essay topics in this class, but they do serve as good examples.

NO TEARS Stands For:

Nothing Omitted (left out)

Topic Sentence
Evidence
Analysis
Repeat
Synthesis

Topic Sentence

A topic sentence is the first sentence of every “main body” (supporting) paragraph and identifies the main point of the paragraph. This main point should connect to the essay's overall thesis. Topic sentences should not include source material.

Example:

Pepsi's "Live for Now" commercial failed to effectively use pathos to persuade its target audience of young Americans to support its brand.

Evidence

Evidence comes in various forms like quotes, paraphrases, summaries, examples, anecdotes, illustrations, observations, etc.

Example:

Halfway through the commercial, model Kendall Jenner removes her blonde wig, exposing her natural brown hair. After, she leaves the photoshoot and joins the procession of young people heading toward the protest.

Example:

In the New York Times article "Pepsi Pulls Ad Accused of Trivializing Black Lives Matter," Daniel Victor describes the commercial by saying it "shows attractive young people holding milquetoast signs with nonspecific pleas like “Join the conversation.”

Analysis

Analysis should always be presented in the author's own voice. It includes an explanation of the source material, its purpose, and how it supports the main purpose of the paragraph in the writer's own words.

Evidence Example:

Halfway through the commercial, model Kendall Jenner removes her blonde wig, exposing her natural brown hair. After, she leaves the photoshoot and joins the procession of young people heading toward the protest.

Analysis Example:

It is possible that the directors of the commercial meant to normalize Jenner in the scene where she removes her wig. However, instead of this moment uniting the audience with Jenner, it reminds the audience that the commercial is a fabrication, and Jenner is, in fact, simply a paid celebrity endorsement, not a true participant in a moment of conflict.

Evidence Example:

In the New York Times article "Pepsi Pulls Ad Accused of Trivializing Black Lives Matter," Daniel Victor describes the commercial by saying it "shows attractive young people holding milquetoast signs with nonspecific pleas like 'Join the conversation.'"

Analysis Example:

Victor uses the term "milquetoast" to highlight that even though Pepsi is trying to mimic the scene of a real protest, it fails to actually connect with the seriousness of issues young people protest today. Many in the target audience might think signs stating "Join the conversation" try to simplify the complex issues often addressed in modern protests.

Repeat

This one is easy--repeat Evidence and Analysis as needed!

Typically, a good recipe includes 2 pieces of evidence and 2 pieces of analysis per body paragraph. However, there are cases where 1 piece of evidence and analysis is acceptable, or 3 pieces of short evidence and analysis is also acceptable.

Synthesis

Synthesis is one of the more challenging elements of NO TEARS. However, synthesis is essentially a fancy term for "putting it all together." In your own words, tie together the meaning/conclusion of the evidence and analysis provided above. Try to connect the evidence and analysis provided back to the paper's overall thesis. The synthesis section is your opportunity to connect the evidence you've presented in the paragraph in a completely unique way.

Example:

Overall, even though Pepsi's commercial includes several attempts at emotional persuasion, these attempts fail to influence young viewers by minimizing the real emotions involved in modern protests.

NO TEARS Example

Pepsi's "Live for Now" commercial failed to effectively use pathos to persuade its target audience of young Americans to support its brand. Halfway through the commercial, model Kendall Jenner removes her blonde wig, exposing her natural brown hair. After, she leaves the photoshoot and joins the procession of young people heading toward the protest. It is possible that the directors of the commercial meant to normalize Jenner in the scene where she removes her wig. However, instead of this moment uniting the audience with Jenner, it reminds the audience that the commercial is a fabrication, and Jenner is, in fact, simply a paid celebrity endorsement, not a true participant in a moment of conflict. In the New York Times article "Pepsi Pulls Ad Accused of Trivializing Black Lives Matter," Daniel Victor describes the commercial by saying it "shows attractive young people holding milquetoast signs with nonspecific pleas like 'Join the conversation.'" Victor uses the term "milquetoast" to highlight that even though Pepsi is trying to mimic the scene of a real protest, it fails to actually connect with the seriousness of issues young people protest today. Many in the target audience might think signs stating "Join the conversation" try to simplify the complex issues often addressed in modern protests. Overall, even though Pepsi's commercial includes several attempts at emotional persuasion, these attempts fail to influence young viewers by minimizing the real emotions involved in modern protests.

(Adapted from C. Johnson, 2022)