How to Write a Summarizing Paragraph

8/6/2019 How to Write a Summarizing Paragraph

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Mr. Allen OGMS

How to Write a Summarizing ParagraphA paragraph is a group of sentences related to a particular topic. Every paragraph has a key

concept or main idea. The main idea is the most important piece of information the author wantsyou to know about the concept of that paragraph.

Summarizing paragraphs organize ideas into a topic sentence, supporting details and aclosing sentence. Each part helps to clarify the information to the reader. The topic sentence is thefirst sentence of the paragraph. It introduces the main idea or subject. The body, or middle of the

paragraph, presents the supporting details. These sentences include facts and examples that supportthe main idea stated in the topic sentence. Usually there are at least three key facts or examples tosupport the main idea. Finally, the closing sentence ends the paragraph by rephrasing the main idea.To keep the reader interested, it uses different words than those used in the topic sentence. In asummarizing paragraph, the topic sentence, supporting details and closing sentence help to presentinformation in a clear and organized manner.

1. Topic Sentence What is the topic sentence? The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph.What does it do? It introduces the main idea of the paragraph.How do I write one? Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will be about.

2. Supporting Details What are supporting sentences? They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of a paragraph.What do they do? They give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph.How do I write them? Give supporting facts, details, and examples.

3. Closing (or Concluding) Sentence What is the closing sentence? The closing sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph.What does it do? It should wrap up the paragraph by rephrasing the main idea of the paragraph.How do I write one? Rephrase the main idea of the paragraph.


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Mr. Allen OGMS

How to Write a Good Expository Paragraph: Dos and Donts

GOOD THINGS TO DO: Always be sure to come up with the main, big idea of your paragraphs topic sentence.

Avoid using examples or specific details in your topic sentence --- only the main idea. Organize your facts and ideas in a way that develops your main idea. Once you have

chosen the most important point of your paragraph or essay, you must find the best way totell your reader about it. Decide which facts and ideas will best support the main idea of your paragraph. Once you have chosen the facts and ideas you plan to use, ask yourself which order to put them in the paragraph. Be sure to check your facts for accuracy.

Write legibly and check your spelling . If your reader cant read what you are trying to say,your paragraph will not be effective.

Its okay to use transition words, but use them very sparingly . Examples: in addition,also, for example, finally. AVOID: The first reason is that Another reason isthat

Read your paragraph out loud, if possible, after you are done. If it sounds funny, awkward,or clumsy, then STOP -- rewrite it. If a sentence sounds clumsy to you, it is! Writing a

paragraph the first time should be considered a draft. Never write a paragraph and consider it done. Edit your draft to make it as good as you can.

DO NOTS -- Check list: DO NOT start or write any sentence with: is important for many reasons

I think that . There are many reasons why Some people say DO NOT ask questions to the reader. DO NOT use informal voice. Summarizing paragraphs use formal voice.

Avoid proper pronouns such as I or you anywhere in the paragraph. DO NOT write a vague topic or closing sentence. For example: The Native Americans

were very interesting. There are many reason why Lincoln was a great president. DO NOT ramble on with unrelated information in your paragraph. [While a sentence or two

to give a little background is okay in your paragraph, try to stick to only those details thatsupport your main idea (topic sentence).]

DO NOT write a closing/concluding sentence that introduces new ideas not found in your topic sentence. Stick to the main topic of your topic sentence. If you didnt talk about it inyour paragraph, DO NOT add it here.

DO NOT write a closing/concluding sentence that is exactly the same as your topic sentence.

Avoid redundancy i.e. repeating the same thing. DO NOT break up your paragraph so it looks like its more than one paragraph. When

you write a paragraph, you indent the first line and write it as a block until you are donewith it. Be sure to indent your first sentence.

DO NOT end your paragraph with: Now you know why You can see thatSo that is why But the important thing about These are the reasonsAll these reasons are why This sums up why


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Mr. Allen OGMS

How a Summarizing Paragraph is Organized

Topic Sentence ________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________.Supporting Details ________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ Closing/Concluding sentence ________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________.

Sample Paragraphs

Below are two simple paragraphs. Underline the topic sentence . Underline theconcluding sentence . Analyze the effectiveness of each topic and closing sentence.

1. People enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are affectionate. They will snuggle up

and ask to be petted, or scratched under the chin. Few people can resist petting a purring cat. If

they're not feeling affectionate, cats are generally quite playful. They love to chase balls and

feathers, or just about anything dangling from a string. They especially enjoy playing when their owners are participating in the game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats can be trained. Using

rewards and punishments, just like with a dog, a cat can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior

or perform tricks. Cats will even fetch! Cats bring lots of joy to people.

2. Abraham Lincolns achievements made him one of our greatest presidents. Lincolns

determination preserved our country during the Civil War. He led the fight against slavery, an

institution counter to the very core American values of freedom and liberty. He reminded

Americans that all people are created equal. Also, he reaffirmed Americas most basic principle

of government. In the United States, the government is of the people, by the people and for the

people. Lincoln will always be remembered for his great ideas and contributions.


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Mr. Allen OGMS

Rubric: Summarizing Paragraph Writing4 3.9-3.0 2.9-2.5 2.4 2.0

Writer has clearlyidentified the mainidea in a creative way.

A topic sentenceclearly and succinctlystates the main idea;

the writer hasincluded all of thesupporting detailsand/or examplesrelevant to the mainidea in the body;supporting details arewell organized andclearly stated andshow insight into thesubject; details arefrom sources beyondclassroom sourcesused; the closing

sentence recaps themain idea in anoriginal way.

Correct spelling andgrammar; excellentsentence fluency;neatly written; properuse of conventions;neatly typed;demonstrates a highlevel of word choice.

Appropriate voice, i.e.formal; no personalpronouns used

towards the reader orabout the write

6-Traits: 6-5 rubric Follows all of the

dos and donts of paragraphguidelines

Writer has clearlyidentified the mainidea.

A topic sentenceclearly andsuccinctly states

the main idea;most or all of theimportantsupporting detailsand/or examplesrelevant to themain idea are inthe paragraphbody; supportingdetails areorganized andclearly stated; theclosing sentencerecaps the main

idea in an originalway.

Correct spellingand grammar;good sentencefluency; neatlywritten; proper useof conventions;some minor errors.

Appropriate voice,i.e. formal; nopersonal pronounsused towards thereader or about the

writer. 6-Traits: 4-5

rubric Follows the dos

and donts of theparagraphguidelines withvery minorissues

Writer has identifiedthe main idea.

A topic sentencestates the mainidea, though it maybe not clear as it

could be; many of the supportingdetails and/orexamples relevantto the main idea arein the paragraphbody; somesupporting detailsare not explained;the closing sentencerecaps the mainidea, but is partlyrepetitive.

A few spelling and

grammar errors;demonstrates basicsentence; neatlywritten; mostlyproper use of conventions; somepoor word choice.

Mostly appropriatevoice, i.e. formal; nopersonal pronounsused towards thereader or about thewriter.

6-Traits: 3-4

rubric Some of the dos

and donts of theparagraphguidelines are notfollowed.

Writer has notidentified the mainidea or its not welldeveloped.

A topic sentencedoes not clearly

state the mainidea; there areseveral importantsupporting detailsand/or examplesthat are missing;not all are relevantto the main idea inthe body;supporting detailsare not wellorganized; theclosing sentencedoes not recap the

main idea or simplycopies it.

Numerous errors inspelling andgrammar; lackssentence fluency;not neatly written;improper use of conventions;demonstrates poorword choice.

Some inappropriatevoice, i.e. notformal; uses

personal pronouns. 6-Traits: 2-3

rubric Doesnt follow

many of the dosand donts of paragraphguidelines andtyping.

Rubric Score 1.0 : Little to no effort put into work. Main idea and details/examples are inappropriate, missingor undeveloped. Does not follow the guidelines for paragraph writing/typing. 6-traits: 1 rubric

>>>>>>Summarizing paragraphs must be typed


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What is wrong with this paragraph? Correct all problems.

I think Abraham Lincoln is a great president for many reasons.The reason is because he saved our country during the Civil War.

Another reason is that he did have trouble finding good generals

but he finally found one in Genaral Grant. We were lucky. He was

our 16 th president. Another thing, he was married to may Todd

Lincoln. And, he led the fight against slavery, its a bad thing that

goes against our freedom. Freedom means doing what you want.

He helped us win the Civil War. The Civil War was the war

between the North and the South.

Do you know what else he did? He told us that all people are

created equal. Also, he reminded us of our most basic thing

about our government. In the United States, our govornment is

of the people, by the people and for the people. There is a statue

of Lincoln in Washington, D.C. I think Lincoln was our best

president. Now you know why Lincoln will always be remembered

and we will always wonder why he was assasinated by John

Wilkes Booth.

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How to Write a Summarizing Paragraph