The Paragraph

What is a Paragraph?A paragraph is a series of sentences that talk about one idea (topic).

Parts of a Paragraph ...

TitleGive your paragraph a name!

Topic SentenceThe first sentence in a paragraph is the topic sentence. This introduces the topic and makes the reader want to read more.

Supporting SentencesThe next sentences give details or examples about your topic, and should explain your ideas.

Concluding SentenceThis sentence restates the topic sentence in different words.

Building a paragraph …

So, you build a paragraph like a hamburger! The top bun is the topic sentence, and the bottom bun is the concluding sentence. Between the buns are the details.

Is this good paragraph? Why?

1. The weather was beautiful and the people were very nice.

2. Our hotel was near the beach and so we swam in the ocean every day and we got great sun tans.

3. I found some beautiful seashells and we did a lot of shopping.

4. One day we rented a boat and sailed in the ocean for three hours.

No, it isn’t!

• There are details, but …

• There is no title• There is no topic sentence• There is no concluding sentence• There is no paragraph structure, just

numbered sentences!

What about this? Why?

The weather was beautiful and the people were very nice. Our hotel was near the beach and so we swam in the ocean every day and we got great sun tans. I found some beautiful seashells and we did a lot of shopping. One day we rented a boat and sailed in the ocean for three hours. It was the best holiday I have ever had!

This is a little better, but not great.

• There is paragraph structure• There is a concluding sentence But …• There is no topic sentence• There is no title

Try this next one …

Our HolidayWe went to Hawaii for one month last year. The weather was beautiful and the people were very nice. Our hotel was near the beach and so we swam in the ocean every day and we got great sun tans. I found some beautiful seashells and we did a lot of shopping. One day we rented a boat and sailed in the ocean for three hours. Hawaii was wonderful. It was the best holiday I have ever had!

Much Better!

• It has a title• It has a topic sentence• It has a concluding sentence• It is written in paragraph

structure

Coherence

Coherence means that all of the sentences are related to the topic sentence and to each other.

What is the problem here? My Birthday

We went to my favourite restaurant for dinner on my birthday. My friends and family brought me lots of gifts. It was fun to open them in the restaurant. My sister has two boys. The waiters even came over to the table and sang Happy Birthday to me! At the end of the meal, our waiter brought me a cake. It had candles! I blew them out and made a wish. Next year, I want to go back to the same place.

Coherence?

The paragraph is about a birthday party at a restaurant. The sister with two boys has nothing to do with the topic.

What about this one? Laundry Day

I do laundry every Wednesday. First, I separate the whites, colours, and darks. Then I turn on the washing machine and add the whites with some laundry soap. It takes about ½ an hour to finish. When it is done, I put it in the dryer and put the colours in the washer. I like to watch CBC news. When the laundry is finished, I fold it and put it away. I am always happy when laundry day is over!

Coherence?

The paragraph is about doing laundry, not listening to the CBC!

Finally!You are ready to write paragraphs!Any questions?