11/07/2025
Struggling with “mushy” paragraphs?
MEAL gives you clarity: Main idea, Evidence, Analysis, Link. Use it to keep every paragraph focused, supported, and connected to your thesis.
What professors look for ⤵️
Unity: one clear point per paragraph
Development: specific and sufficient evidence
Coherence: analysis that explains the “so what”
Flow: a link that points to the next idea
Common mistakes and quick fixes ⤵️
Starting with a quote → start with your main idea
Evidence with no analysis → add “This shows that…” and explain why
Analysis that repeats the quote → name the pattern, cause, or implication
No link at the end → add a transition that sets up the next point
Overlong quotes → keep quotes short; paraphrase and cite
Want a quick MEAL check on your paragraph? DM us! 💙