Topic Sentence

• Main idea of the paragraph

• The point you are making

• It is YOUR opinion

You are trying to persuade the reader to You are trying to persuade the reader to

accept that opinionaccept that opinion..

• Statements of facts usually make poor topic

sentences.

William Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.William Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.

• Statements of facts usually make poor topic

sentences.

William Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.William Shakespeare wrote Hamlet.

Francis Bacon wrote Hamlet.Francis Bacon wrote Hamlet.

• Statement of opinion.

If you structure your topic sentence well

and support it well with details you are

more likely to persuade the reader to

accept your idea.

A good topic sentence has two parts:

• Limited subject

• Precise opinion about that subject

A good topic sentence has two parts:

• Limited subject

• Precise opinion about that subject

In front of me on the table set a beautiful pure In front of me on the table set a beautiful pure

white bowl, simplistic in design, hiding a decadent white bowl, simplistic in design, hiding a decadent

surprise inside. surprise inside.

Unity in Paragraphs

• Each idea in a paragraph should support the

“one main point or the topic sentence”

If I am writing a descriptive paragraph about my If I am writing a descriptive paragraph about my

son, I would not add that my car’s airson, I would not add that my car’s air--conditioning is conditioning is

broken.broken.

Unity in Paragraphs

• Use transition words for coherence

The Practical Writer with Readings The Practical Writer with Readings -- Page 40Page 40

Next, second, third, for example, however, but, Next, second, third, for example, however, but,

instead, therefore, and, alsoinstead, therefore, and, also

The Writing Process

• Spend a few moments jotting down what ever comes to mind.

• Let your thoughts flow

• Don’t stop to think … keep writing

Prewriting Prewriting --

Gathering your thoughts and preparing to write.Gathering your thoughts and preparing to write.

Write a Draft

• Get all your ideas down on paper

• Write freely

• Organize what you want to say, but don’t

worry about all the details

Revise the Draft

• Read it again and make changes in the order of

words or sentences

• Add or remove words

• Look for the changes that will make your ideas

clear for the reader.

Edit and Proofread

• Make sure you chose the right words.

• Are sentences complete?

• Are spelling, capitalization, grammar and

punctuation correct?

Descriptive Paragraph

• Describes someone or something

• Has a main idea, details and adjectives

• Has colorful words that create images that

helps the reader see, hear, feel smell or taste

something.

Descriptive Paragraph

• Adjectives are words that describe nouns

• Use strong adjectives

Use Clear AdjectivesUse Clear Adjectives

The giganticgigantic creature was hiding in the scaryscary cave.

The creature hiding in the cave was big.

Descriptive Paragraph

Figurative Language

The use of words in an imaginative rather

than a literal since.

Figurative Language

The use of words in an imaginative rather

than a literal since.

Simile and Metaphors are the main

figures of speech.

Simile

A comparison of two un-like things using

the words like or as.

He was like a piece of rare and delicate

china which was always being saved from

breaking and finally fell. Alice Walker, “To Hell With Dying”

Metaphor

An implied comparison of two un-like

things withoutwithout using the words like or as.

Making tacos is a graceful dance. Denise Chavez, A Taco Testimony

Graphic Organizer

Chocolate chip cookies are my favorite. My

mouth waters when ever I view these tasty

morsels. I can smell the aroma of the rich

chocolate. I can taste the moist, sweet filling;

smooth and creamy in my mouth. My taste

buds are rejoicing in the fudgy, sticky, chewy

goodness. The sweetness lingers long after

the cookie is gone. Chocolate chip cookies are

better than a warm blanket on a winters day.

Descriptive Organizer