Writing Information 101Writing Information 101

ParagraphsParagraphsA paragraph is a group of sentences A paragraph is a group of sentences

that presents a main idea and related that presents a main idea and related details to a reader.details to a reader.

A paragraph can stand alone or can be A paragraph can stand alone or can be combined with other paragraphs to combined with other paragraphs to create a longer paper.create a longer paper.

The first line of a paragraph is indented. The first line of a paragraph is indented. We do this so that readers know that a We do this so that readers know that a new idea is being introduced.new idea is being introduced.

ParagraphsParagraphsA good paragraph has the following A good paragraph has the following

key elements:key elements:A focused topicA focused topicA main idea expressed in a topic sentenceA main idea expressed in a topic sentenceDetails supporting the main ideaDetails supporting the main ideaA concluding sentenceA concluding sentence

Paragraphs vary in length. In general Paragraphs vary in length. In general a good 8a good 8thth grade paragraph is 7-9 grade paragraph is 7-9 sentences long.sentences long.

ExampleExampleWalking to Physical FitnessWalking to Physical Fitness

Walking is my favorite way to exercise. Walking is my favorite way to exercise. Walking thirty to forty minutes every morning Walking thirty to forty minutes every morning is a great way to relax. When I walk with a is a great way to relax. When I walk with a friend, I can talk about the day ahead or share friend, I can talk about the day ahead or share some challenges I am facing. When I walk by some challenges I am facing. When I walk by myself, I can meditate and get rid of my myself, I can meditate and get rid of my stress. Walking regularly also improves my stress. Walking regularly also improves my general health. Fitness experts recommend general health. Fitness experts recommend an exercise routine to keep the heart strong. an exercise routine to keep the heart strong. Furthermore, walking every day lessens my Furthermore, walking every day lessens my risk of disease. I know the positive effects risk of disease. I know the positive effects walking has made in my life, and I will walking has made in my life, and I will continue my walk to physical fitness.continue my walk to physical fitness.

ExampleExample““Walking to Physical Fitness” has all Walking to Physical Fitness” has all

the elements of a good paragraph:the elements of a good paragraph: A focused topicA focused topic: walking as a form of exercise: walking as a form of exercise A main idea expressed in a topic sentenceA main idea expressed in a topic sentence: :

Walking is my favorite way to exercise.Walking is my favorite way to exercise. Details supporting the main ideaDetails supporting the main idea: a great way : a great way

to relax, walk with a friend, walk by myself, to relax, walk with a friend, walk by myself, improves my general health, keeps the heart improves my general health, keeps the heart strong, lessens my risk of diseasestrong, lessens my risk of disease

A concluding sentenceA concluding sentence: I know the positive : I know the positive effects walking has made in my life, and I will effects walking has made in my life, and I will continue my walk to physical fitness.continue my walk to physical fitness.

Limiting a TopicLimiting a TopicLimiting a topic is the first step in Limiting a topic is the first step in

writing a strong paragraph.writing a strong paragraph.Many topics are too broad to talk Many topics are too broad to talk

about in 7-9 sentences.about in 7-9 sentences.We must focus or limit the topic We must focus or limit the topic

so that we can talk about it so that we can talk about it completelycompletely in a single paragraph. in a single paragraph.

Limiting a TopicLimiting a Topic3 ways to narrow the topic “Childhood”:3 ways to narrow the topic “Childhood”:

1.1. ChildhoodChildhood Birthday partiesBirthday parties

The best birthday party I ever hadThe best birthday party I ever had2.2. ChildhoodChildhood

My friendsMy friends My friends in the seventh gradeMy friends in the seventh grade

My best friend in seventh gradeMy best friend in seventh grade3.3. ChildhoodChildhood

Summer vacationsSummer vacations Family tripsFamily trips

The time my family went campingThe time my family went camping The night it rained and our tent collapsedThe night it rained and our tent collapsed

ExampleExampleTopic: SportsTopic: SportsSportsSports Indoor sportsIndoor sports

SoccerSoccerGirl’s SoccerGirl’s Soccer

Girl’s soccer at Sandcreek Middle SchoolGirl’s soccer at Sandcreek Middle SchoolThe girl’s soccer game at SMS on a The girl’s soccer game at SMS on a

specific datespecific dateThe best shot in the girl’s soccer game The best shot in the girl’s soccer game

at SMS on the above dateat SMS on the above date

Writing a Topic Writing a Topic SentenceSentence

The The topic sentence of a paragraph topic sentence of a paragraph expresses the expresses the single main ideasingle main idea the the writer wants to communicate to the writer wants to communicate to the reader.reader.

All the other sentences in a paragraph All the other sentences in a paragraph explain the topic sentence.explain the topic sentence.

It keeps the writer on track as they write.It keeps the writer on track as they write. It helps the reader understand the It helps the reader understand the

message of the paper.message of the paper.

Writing a Topic Writing a Topic SentenceSentence

A topic sentence is neither too broad A topic sentence is neither too broad nor too narrow.nor too narrow.If it is too broad, you will not be able to If it is too broad, you will not be able to

discuss it in a single paragraph.discuss it in a single paragraph.If it is too narrow, you will have difficulty If it is too narrow, you will have difficulty

writing an entire paragraph about the writing an entire paragraph about the topic.topic.

ExamplesExamplesToo Broad:Too Broad: Mystery novels are fun to read. Mystery novels are fun to read.

Too narrow:Too narrow: The last mystery novel I read was 300 The last mystery novel I read was 300 pages long.pages long.

Just Right: Just Right: The plot of the novel The plot of the novel May Tomorrow May Tomorrow Never ComeNever Come is suspenseful. is suspenseful.

Too Broad: Too Broad: Eating correctly is important.Eating correctly is important.

Too narrow: Too narrow: Spinach is an excellent source of iron.Spinach is an excellent source of iron.

Just Right: Just Right: An important step in preventing heart An important step in preventing heart disease is eating fruits and vegetables daily.disease is eating fruits and vegetables daily.

You Try It!You Try It! Is it focused?Is it focused?

1.1.Good teachers can be found in any Good teachers can be found in any school.school.

2.2.Everyone can benefit from regular Everyone can benefit from regular exercise.exercise.

3.3.Good movies are hard to find.Good movies are hard to find.

4.4.A good teacher listens patiently to her A good teacher listens patiently to her students.students.

What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?

It is an arguable statement. It is an arguable statement.

It is a complete sentence that expresses your It is a complete sentence that expresses your position/opinion on a given topic.position/opinion on a given topic.

It narrows down your topic to a specific, It narrows down your topic to a specific, single focus of investigation.single focus of investigation.

It establishes a direction for the entire paper.It establishes a direction for the entire paper.

It is usually stated in your introduction.It is usually stated in your introduction.

What is a thesis statement?What is a thesis statement?

It is an arguable statement. It is an arguable statement.

It is a complete sentence that expresses your It is a complete sentence that expresses your position/opinion on a given topic.position/opinion on a given topic.

It narrows down your topic to a specific, It narrows down your topic to a specific, single focus of investigation.single focus of investigation.

It establishes a direction for the entire paper.It establishes a direction for the entire paper.

It is usually stated in your introduction.It is usually stated in your introduction.

What is What is notnot a thesis statement? a thesis statement?

A thesis is A thesis is nevernever a question; it could be the answer to a question; it could be the answer to a question.a question.

A thesis is A thesis is notnot an announcement of purpose. an announcement of purpose.

A thesis is A thesis is notnot simply a topic. simply a topic.

A thesis is A thesis is notnot a fact. a fact.

Writing a ThesisWriting a Thesis

A thesis has two partsA thesis has two parts Topic: the main subject to be discussed in the essayTopic: the main subject to be discussed in the essay

Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main subject to Opinion: what the writer thinks about the main subject to be discussed (the topic)be discussed (the topic)

TopicTopic: Community College Students: Community College Students

OpinionOpinion: Work diligently to pass class, to transfer to : Work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees. universities, and to earn four-year degrees.

ThesisThesis: Community college students work diligently to pass : Community college students work diligently to pass class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year class, to transfer to universities, and to earn four-year degrees. degrees.

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

What causes violence in children?What causes violence in children?

Poor

A thesis statement is not a question!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

The purpose of my paper is to The purpose of my paper is to identify the causes of violence.identify the causes of violence.

Poor

A thesis is not an announcement of purpose!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

The education system in the United The education system in the United States.States.

Poor

A thesis statement is not just a topic!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Teen pregnancy can be reduced with good Teen pregnancy can be reduced with good education, parental support, and birth control.education, parental support, and birth control.

Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

I would like to discuss how teachers and I would like to discuss how teachers and students can develop better relationships.students can develop better relationships.

Poor

A thesis is not an announcement of purpose!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

I had squash, tomatoes, and corn in I had squash, tomatoes, and corn in my garden last year. my garden last year.

Poor

A thesis statement is not too narrow!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Vegetable gardening can be a frustrating hobby. Vegetable gardening can be a frustrating hobby.

Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Honesty and trust in the classroom.Honesty and trust in the classroom.

Poor

A thesis statement is not just a topic!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Honesty and trust play an important role in Honesty and trust play an important role in successful teacher-student relationships.successful teacher-student relationships.

Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Advertising has bad effects on all of society. Advertising has bad effects on all of society.

Poor

A thesis statement is not too broad!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

What can be done to reduce violence in What can be done to reduce violence in schools? Who is to blame-- the parents, schools? Who is to blame-- the parents, the schools, or society in general?the schools, or society in general?

Poor

A thesis statement is not a question!

Determine whether the following is a Determine whether the following is a goodgood or or poorpoor thesis statement thesis statement

Toy ads on television teach children to be Toy ads on television teach children to be greedy, competitive, and snobbish. greedy, competitive, and snobbish.

Yes, a thesis statement reflects a position!