Paragraph Writing - Building Blocks

BUILDING BLOCKSBUILDING BLOCKSFOR WRITINGFOR WRITING

BUILDING BLOCKSBUILDING BLOCKSFOR WRITINGFOR WRITING

THE PARAGRAPHTHE PARAGRAPHTHE PARAGRAPHTHE PARAGRAPH

BUILDING BLOCKSBUILDING BLOCKSFOR WRITINGFOR WRITING

ENGLISHENGLISH::GENERALGENERAL

TOTOSPECIFICSPECIFIC

PARAGRAPHSENTENCE

ETC.

ORGANIZATION

GRAPHICORGANIZER

or“MIND MAP”

“BRAIN-STORMING”IN PAIRS or

GROUPS

FREEWRITING

PHOTOSEXPERIENCES

MEMORIESREADING

Definition:

A paragraph is a group of sentences that tell one idea.

THE PARAGRAPHTHE PARAGRAPH

• Indent the first word in a paragraph (2 to 5 spaces in from the margin).

• Start with a topic sentence, telling the main idea of that paragraph.

PARAGRAPH RULESPARAGRAPH RULES

• When you begin writing about a new idea, begin a new paragraph.

• Paragraphs answer questions about a certain topic.

PARAGRAPH RULESPARAGRAPH RULES

EExample of a xample of a descriptivedescriptive paragraph: paragraph:

I am thirty years old, rather tall, and I have blue eyes and short black hair. I wear casual clothes as I teach students in a relaxed atmosphere. I enjoy my job because I get to meet and help many different people. During my spare time I like playing tennis, which I play at least three times a week. I also love listening to classical music, and I spend a lot of money on new CDs!

Writing Exercise 1 Writing Exercise 1 Answer these questions about yourself on a piece

of paper:

• How old are you? • What do you look like? • What kind of clothes do you wear? Why? • What kind of job do you do? Do you like it? • What are your favorite hobbies? Why do you like

them? • Where do you live? • Do you like living there? Why or why not?

Writing Exercise 2Writing Exercise 2I am _________ years old, I _________________

(your looks). I wear ________________ because ______________. I am a ______________. I like / don't like my job because _____________________. I enjoy ______________. I often _____________ (describe how often you do your hobby). I also like ________________ (write about another hobby) because ________________. I live in ____________. People in ____________ are ________________ . I enjoy / don't enjoy living in ______________ because ____________.

Write your own paragraphWrite your own paragraph

• Choose ONE sentence from the first writing exercise;

• Copy it on a new piece of paper

• This is your OPENING SENTENCE

• Your partner will ask you QUESTIONS about your sentence

• Now, write a PARAGRAPH to add details and answer these questions.

Writing in English - 1Writing in English - 1

• Start with a GENERAL statement, then add SPECIFIC details

GENERAL

SPECIFIC

Writing in English - 2Writing in English - 2

OPENING SENTENCE

Topic – Statement - Summary

EXAMPLE 1

EXAMPLE 2

EXAMPLE 3

Writing in English - 3Writing in English - 3

• EXAMPLE:

I like American food.

(1) I like to eat steak.

(2) I like French fries.

(3) I like to eat dessert.

Writing in English - 4Writing in English - 4

• Now, make it more interesting. Add Adjectives and Adverbs:

I really like American food.

Sometimes I like to eat a thick, juicy steak.

I like crisp French fries on the side.

After dinner, I often like to eat chocolate ice cream for dessert.

Writing in English - 5Writing in English - 5

• Now, put it all together.

This is a PARAGRAPH.

I really like American food. Sometimes I like to eat a thick, juicy steak. I like crisp French fries on the side. After dinner, I often like to eat chocolate ice cream for dessert.

PRACTICEPRACTICE

Topic sentence:

Many people believe in stereotypes, or ideas that are not completely true, about people in another country.

Next step:

PRACTICEPRACTICE

What are some stereotypes that you think that Chinese or American people have about each other?

Can you complete the paragraph?