A typical downshifted paragraph could (but might not) look like the following:
the idea that B & G are responding to,
their response to that idea (perhaps including a quotation),
some explanation and development of their response (if necessary),
your response to their refutation,
some explanation of your point of view (if necessary), and then
evidence and detail to support your point of view.
Note that any of the above points might take more than one sentence, but try to show a little self control in the early sentences of the paragraph
The last point will certainly take more than one sentence, so plan the points that come before wisely. You don't want to write a whole essay here -- just one paragraph in what could be a longer essay.
Don't forget to provide transitions that clearly indicate when you are representing B & G's ideas and when you are providing your own.
Still, try to write the paragraph in the third person. Every reader will know that you are writing the essay. Concentrate on the ideas, not yourself. Remember, you are trying to persuade the reader that a certain IDEA is true or false.
Also, limit the focus to a single, narrowly defined idea. Imagine that you will be writing other paragraphs in a longer essay.
Please post the paragraph by Sunday at 5 PM. I know you have a paragraph portfolio due on Monday, but you should have been working on that project for weeks.
