The Uneven U
Writers—especially those engaged in academic writing—tend to structure their arguments
logically so their readers can follow their thinking. One such model is Eric Hayot’s Uneven U.
Using this model a writer can build paragraphs that lead to a broader argument.
In the Uneven U model, the first sentence introduces an idea (the topic), which sets
expectations for the paragraph. Then, the thought is explained, evidence is presented and
interpreted, and finally a claim about the paragraph or the broader argument is expressed.
The “U” refers to how this paragraph starts with a more abstract idea, moves toward
concrete information, and then back to abstraction.
1. Concrete evidence, raw data, or information
2. Description, plain or interpretive summary, paraphrase, or establishing framework
3. Conceptual summary, drawing together two or more pieces of evidence, or introducing
a broad example
4. Less general statements, orienting toward a problem, or pulling ideas together
5. Abstract, general statements oriented toward a solution or a conclusion
Using these numbers, a paragraph will begin with a topic sentence at 4 and then move down
through 3, 2, and 1 before moving back up to 5 with a concluding sentence(s). Graphically,
the sentence would look like this:
3 3
1
The Uneven U in Action
Now, let’s look at the Uneven U in action in this paragraph about Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax. The
steps are notated.
“[4] The Lorax is also effective as an allegory for overconsumption [3] It highlights the
impact of self-interest on human actions. The character disregards the implications of
deforestation to achieve a material gain. [2] For example, when the main character
meets the Lorax he hastily explains, [1] ‘There's no cause for alarm. I chopped just
one tree. I am doing no harm (Seuss 23)’. Seuss uses this foreshadowing to drag the
audience into the story and the deep politics behind it. [2] The story thus illustrates the
general view of the environment from a utilitarian perspective. [3] The force that
humanity has on nature is personified by this perversion of ‘the market’; [4] therefore
Seuss provides insights on the greedy nature of humanity. [5] The main character
reaches the same realization Seuss hopes for humanity, but not before it is too late.”
On the following page is a paragraph broken up based on the shape of the model to better
illustrate how each sentence moves the argument down to more concrete ideas and then up
into the abstract.
Level 5 -
Abstract idea
that makes the
Level 4 - The Level 4 - reader think
intro sentence Abstract
theoretical A level 5 sentence
Level 3 - Level 3 -
When a writer concern is usually the
Conceptual Conceptual
begins a conclusion
summary and Summary
paragraph, that This level shapes sentence to a
introduction to
specific sentence the former paragraph, and
evidence Level 2 - Locates Level 2 – Now that the
usually introduces abstraction that sentence will
evidence and Interpretation of evidence has
a topic that will be started in the address the
The writer then may offer an Level 1 - Concrete evidence been explained
explored conceptual theoretical
contextualizes the interpretation evidence for clarity, a more
throughout the summary, concept of the
thoughts Once the abstract
writing. usually into a introductory
presented in the The writer will Once evidence has evidence has conceptual
definite sentence (and
introductory then usually been alluded to, been introduced, discussion can
This is an statement: other level 4
sentence. introduce a quote that evidence the next logical occur.
important means sentences) but
or point to where follows. Level 1 step is to explain
of introducing a Affirmative offer the reader
This is important the following sentences display and interpret that Abstract
new sub-topic. statements of more to think
for introducing textual evidence that evidence. evidence. discussion helps
argument that about:
evidence. will come from. with applying the
Further use of Interpretation is knowledge gained should avoid
tautology. This is important
Evidence is used evidence to defend key for originality in a real-world or for transitions
to defend the claims. and showing hypothetical between topics as
claims of the first understanding of setting. well as providing
sentence. the evidence’s
questions for the
impact on the
reader to
topic.
consider.
Constructing an Uneven U Paragraph
Use this flowchart to create your own
Uneven U paragraphs. While it doesn’t
follow the U shape, it does show how
to transition between each step.
4-Introduction
3–Context
2- Description 1-Evidence
3-Summary
4-Reasoning
5-Abstraction
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