What is Reason, Evidence, Explanation (REE) in a Body Paragraph?

📚 Understanding Reason, Evidence, Explanation (REE)

REE is a structured approach to writing effective body paragraphs. It ensures your arguments are well-supported and clearly articulated. Think of it as a recipe for persuasive writing!

🎯 Objectives

• 🧠 Understand the purpose of each component (Reason, Evidence, Explanation).
• ✍️ Construct body paragraphs using the REE method.
• ⭐ Improve the clarity and persuasiveness of your writing.

🧰 Materials

• 📝 Pen and paper or a digital document.
• 📰 Example texts.
• 💡 A thesis statement to work from.

Warm-up (5 mins)

• 🗣️ Briefly discuss the importance of supporting arguments with evidence.
• 🤔 Ask students to share examples of persuasive writing they have encountered.

✏️ Main Instruction

The REE method consists of three key elements:

• 💡 Reason

  The Reason is the main argument or point you are making in the paragraph. It directly supports your thesis statement. Think of it as the topic sentence on steroids!

  Example: Online learning provides students with greater flexibility in their education.

• 🔬 Evidence

  Evidence is the factual information, data, or examples that support your reason. Strong evidence makes your argument more convincing.

  Example: A study by the Pew Research Center found that 83% of online students reported that the flexibility of online programs was a major factor in their decision to enroll.

• ✍️ Explanation

  The Explanation is where you analyze and interpret the evidence, showing how it supports your reason and, ultimately, your thesis. Don't just drop the evidence and run; explain it!

  Example: This statistic demonstrates that the ability to learn at one's own pace and schedule is a significant advantage of online learning, catering to students with diverse needs and commitments.

📝 REE Example

Here’s a complete body paragraph using the REE method:

Online learning provides students with greater flexibility in their education. A study by the Pew Research Center found that 83% of online students reported that the flexibility of online programs was a major factor in their decision to enroll. This statistic demonstrates that the ability to learn at one's own pace and schedule is a significant advantage of online learning, catering to students with diverse needs and commitments.

✏️ Practice Exercise

• ✅ Provide students with a thesis statement (e.g., “Social media has a positive impact on society.”).
• 🧑‍🏫 Ask them to write a body paragraph using the REE method to support the thesis.
• 🤝 Have students share their paragraphs and provide feedback to each other.

🔑 Assessment

• 📝 Collect the body paragraphs written during the practice exercise.
• ⭐ Evaluate the paragraphs based on the effective use of Reason, Evidence, and Explanation.
• 🍎 Provide feedback to students on their understanding and application of the REE method.