Schaffer Paragraph

The Jane Schaffer paragraph (commonly known as a Schaffer paragraph, Schaeffer paragraph, or Schæffer paragraph) is a five (or sometimes more) sentence paragraph developed by Jane Schaffer, used to write essays. The paragraph only makes up one of many paragraphs in an essay, most of which have a non-Schaffer-like introduction and conclusion. The Schaffer paragraph is utilized in some U.S. middle schools and in high school classes as it is thought to help students better formulate ideas. When students have fully learned the Schaffer paragraph or move on to a higher grade level, the Schaffer paragraph generally is not preferred any longer since many believe that using it hinders critical thinking and the formulation of ideas.