How to Write Paragraphs!

A quick primer.

Paragraphs need 3 parts:

•A beginning (claim)

•A middle (evidence)

•An end (tie-back)

Think of a stoplight

(Yes, it’s flipped. You’re very sharp.)

Topic Sentence (Claim)

Supporting details (Your evidence)

Ending Sentence (Tie-backto the claim)

Topic Sentence

Topic Sentences• Introduce the topic; make a

generalstatement about the topic

•Give an opinion• Introduce a list

Supporting details

Supporting Details•Give more information about

the topic•Give reasons•Give details•Give facts•Give a list

Ending Sentence

Ending Sentence•This closes the paragraph• It can restate the topic

sentence•This says “I’m done with the

paragraph”

Now let’s write a paragraph

•We have to start with a topic

•How about…

Dogs make great pets.

This is a general statement that gives an opinion:

“I think dogs are great pets”.

Now you need some details:

Give some reasons dogs are good pets.

They are smart, friendly, and loyal.These animals also make good companions.They can also be trained to do many things.

Now end it

Restate your topic sentence in a

Different way

Dogs are really the perfect pet.

Dogs make great pets.

Now put it all together:

Dogs make great pets.They are smart, friendly, and loyal.These animals also make good companions.They can also be trained to do many things.

Dogs are really the perfect pet.

Let’s practice

•Here’s another topic:

Whether you like it or not, you have to go to school.

Think of some details,reasons, or facts aboutwhy you have to go to school

The law says that you must attend school until you are 16.Most jobs require a high school diploma.Colleges only admit high school graduates.The military won’t take drop outs.

Now restate the topic

It seems that school is a necessity.

Whether you like it or not, you have to go to school.

Now put it all together:

Whether you like it or not, you have to go to school.

The law says that you must attend school until you are 16.Most jobs require a high school diploma.Colleges only admit high school graduates.The military won’t take drop outs.

It seems that school is a necessity.

Let’s try one more

•Here’s another topic:

There are several steps in learning to snowboard.

First, you have to learn to balance on a board.Next, you have to get used to going down slopes.Last, you need to learn to turn and stop.

These are just a few of the beginning steps in snowboarding.

You are now Zen masters of the paragraph. So go write your Harrison Bergeron vs. 2081 versions!