MEAL PLAN
Write four paragraphs on your selected topic using the meal plan format. Cite peer-reviewed literature.
WRITING TO CREATE UNDERSTANDABLE PARAGRAPHS
MEAL Plan
¡ M = Main points
¡ E = Evidence
¡ A = Analysis
¡ L = Links
MEAL PLAN
Learning to structure a paragraph to present effectively a position is an essential skill one needs to
succeed in a graduate-level program. To assist in developing a logical presentation of ideas for
advanced writers, professors at Duke University develop the MEAL writing plan, which shows a
structure for paragraph development. This “plan” indicates students should present a main idea
followed by evidentiary support, provide an argument or analysis, and end with a link to a larger
claim or position for the overall composition (Duke University, 2017). Knowing how to organize
ideas in a way that gives a reader both a direction and support for the paragraph’s position is
imperative, as professionals should always make their points clear and documented. With the
opening framework, a reader can then focus on understanding the writer’s point of the paragraph
—the analysis and connection to an overriding point of the paper. While somewhat challenging to
master, knowing how to apply the MEAL writing plan is an essential skill one needs to possess to
write at the highest professional and academic levels.
This is the M(ain Idea)
This is the E(vidence)
This is the A(nalysis or argument)
This is the L(ink)
TOPIC
The Influence of Cultural Competence on Healthcare Provider-Patient Communication.
