The Eight-Sentence

Paragraph

A Framework for

Paragraph Writing

Adapted by Sheri Edwards from:

Paula Barnard and Paula Gogert

Your teacher gives you a prompt.

“Write about your favorite pet.”

What do you do???

Don’t panic.

Follow this plan…

(Watch for the color-coding, it will help you

organize your ideas.)

You ONLY Need Three Ideas!

What is your main idea or topic?

(repeat key words from the prompt)

What are three reasons that “show”

your topic sentence is true? (Be sure to

“show” not “tell”.)

That’s all you need for a great

paragraph!!!

Use Correct Paragraph Form

A paragraph includes:

Topic Sentence

Three “Showing” Examples (reason

sentence and detail sentence--six total)

Conclusion

No paragraph should be less

than eight sentences.

Eight-Sentence Paragraph Introduction or Topic Sentence (Uses

key words from the prompt)

First Subtopic (A “Showing” Example) (reason and one of these: explanation, evidence, example, elaboration, experience)

Second Subtopic (A “Showing” Example) (reason and one of these: explanation, evidence, example, elaboration, experience)

Third Sentence (A “Showing” Example) (reason and one of these: explanation, evidence, example, elaboration, experience)

Conclusion (Restates Introduction)

Start with a topic sentence that uses the

key words from the prompt.

“Write about your favorite pet.”

My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo.

Introduction or Topic Sentence

(Your First Sentence)

Then write three reasons for the topic sentence

being true:

He is beautiful and easy to care for.Playing with him is lots of fun. He always takes care of me.

Three Examples

Then write more detail for each of the three reasons for the topic sentence being true explanation, evidence, example, elaboration, experience :

He is beautiful and easy to care for; his medium white fur needs no extra brushing. Playing with him is lots of fun; I throw a tennis ball and he bounces off to retrieve it. He always takes care of me; he prances up to me whenever I say,”Ow!” and licks my face.

Three Examples

Now end your paragraph with

a conclusion:

Remember, each paragraph must have a

concluding sentence. Finish with a

sentence that restates your topic sentence

using different words.

Romeo is the best pet anyone could ever have.

The Completed Paragraph

My favorite pet is my dog, Romeo. He is beautiful and easy to care for; his medium white fur needs no extra brushing. Playing with him is lots of fun; I throw a tennis ball and he bounces off to retrieve it. He always takes care of me; he prances up to me whenever I say,”Ow!” and licks my face. Romeo is the best pet anyone could ever have.

Start with a topic sentence that uses the

key words from the prompt.

“Write about your favorite place.”

My favorite place is Cresent Bay. (do not add BECAUSE)

Introduction or Topic Sentence

(Your First Sentence)

Then write three reasons for the topic sentence being true:

The lake laps quietly onto the shore.Sticks drift onshore for Pooka to fetch.The roads and hills provide hiking fun.

Three Examples

Then write more detail for each of the three reasons for the topic sentence being true explanation, evidence, example, elaboration, experience :

The lake laps quietly onto the shore. I watch the carp swim and ducks dive for food. Sticks drift onshore for Pooka to fetch.We play for hours winter and summer along the shore. The roads and hills provide hiking fun; Pooka and I walk there almost every day, looking for deer, wildflowers, and eagles.

Three Examples

Now end your paragraph with

a conclusion:

Remember, each paragraph must have a

concluding sentence. Finish with a sentence

that restates your topic sentence using different

words.

Cresent Bay is the best for watching wildlife, hiking hills, and playing with Pooka.

The Completed ParagraphMy favorite place is Cresent Bay. The lake

laps quietly onto the shore. I watch the carp swim and ducks dive for food. Sticks drift onshore for Pooka to fetch.We play for hours winter and summer along the shore. The roads and hills provide hiking fun; Pooka and I walk there almost every day, looking for deer, wildflowers, and eagles. Cresent Bay is the best for watching wildlife, hiking hills, and playing with Pooka.

The Completed Paragraph--revised for names and 5ws

My favorite place is Cresent Bay on Lake Roosevelt behind Grand Coulee Dam. The glacial lake laps quietly onto the shore, which is both rocky and sandy in places . I watch the carp swim in the evening and ducks dive for food in the early morning. Sticks from storms upriver drift onshore for Pooka to fetch.We play for hours winter and summer along the shore, usually taking quick dip in the cold water on hot summer days. The gravel roads and many hills provide hiking fun with beautiful views of the lake and the dam; Pooka and I walk there almost every day, looking for deer, wildflowers, and eagles. Wouldn’t you love to glance up to a gliding eagle, watching it dive fast to snatch the carp in its talons? Cresent Bay is the best for watching wildlife, hiking hills, and playing with Pooka.

There you have it!

It’s easy to write a

paragraph.

All you need is

a topic,

three ideas and evidence

for each,

and a conclusion!

Assignment Prompt 1:

Write on the topic

“My Favorite Place”

Remember to prewrite, draft, revise,

edit for these steps:

•Topic sentence-favorite place

•3 reasons why + evidence

•Conclusion sentence-favorite

place

Topic Sentence:

Idea 1

Idea 2

Idea 3

Detail 1a

Detail 2a

Detail 3a

Concluding Sentence:

Assignment Prompts-2

Choose one

My favorite place

My favorite sport

My favorite song

My favorite candy

My favorite food

My favorite shoes

My favorite team

My favorite hobby

Field trips are great

Gonzaga is the best place to go.

Fishing is fun

Hunting is fun

TV is important to me

Assignment Prompt 3:

Write on the topic

“I am _____(insert adjective)”

Remember to prewrite, draft, revise,

edit:

•Topic sentence-I am _____

•3 reasons why + evidence

•Conclusion sentence-I am

____________