ParagraphsParagraphs

A How To…A How To…

The Parts of a ParagraphThe Parts of a Paragraph

Topic SentenceThe topic sentence tells your readers

what your paragraph is about

Formula for and effective TSInteresting subject +Specific feeling =Effective topic sentence

Topic SentenceThe topic sentence tells your readers

what your paragraph is about

Formula for and effective TSInteresting subject +Specific feeling =Effective topic sentence

ExampleExample

The average cost of a Hollywood film (interesting subject) runs between 30 and 50 million dollars. (specific feature)

Does the topic sentence always need to be the first sentence?

NO!NO!

The average cost of a Hollywood film (interesting subject) runs between 30 and 50 million dollars. (specific feature)

Does the topic sentence always need to be the first sentence?

NO!NO!

The BodyThe Body Main part of the paragraph Details that support the topic sentence

Facts Statistics Quotes

Anecdotes Arrange in a logical order Example:

The salary of a top star such as Bruce Willis or Harrison Ford can add 20 million dollars to the cost of a major film.

Main part of the paragraph Details that support the topic sentence

Facts Statistics Quotes

Anecdotes Arrange in a logical order Example:

The salary of a top star such as Bruce Willis or Harrison Ford can add 20 million dollars to the cost of a major film.

ClosingClosing

Comes after all the details are presentedMay remind readers of the subjectKeep them thinking about the subjectLink the paragraph to anotherExample: Anyone who has bought a

movie ticket recently knows that the consumer pays for these extravagant productions.

Comes after all the details are presentedMay remind readers of the subjectKeep them thinking about the subjectLink the paragraph to anotherExample: Anyone who has bought a

movie ticket recently knows that the consumer pays for these extravagant productions.

How long should a paragraph be?

How long should a paragraph be?

Paragraph length will vary depending on topic and details.

A good rule of thumb:Topic sentence3 supporting sentencesClosing sentence

So each paragraph should have a minimum of 5 sentences.

Paragraph length will vary depending on topic and details.

A good rule of thumb:Topic sentence3 supporting sentencesClosing sentence

So each paragraph should have a minimum of 5 sentences.

Sample ParagraphSample Paragraph The average cost of a Hollywood film runs between 30 and

50 million dollars. There are many reasons for this outlandish expense. The currently popular action-adventure productions are filled with special effects that cost huge amount of money. In addition, most producers think in terms of blockbuster films. Instead of making a number of smaller, less-expensive films, they focus on big, elaborate films that could be smash hits. Of course, blockbuster films require big stars, which adds significantly to the production costs. The salary of a top start such as Bruce Willis or Harrison Ford can add 20 million dollars to the cost of a major film. Then, the nonstop, full-throttle promotion of a film adds another enormous expense. All of these factors have contributed to the inflated costs of making and watching movies. Anyone who has bough a movie ticket recently knows that the consumer pays for these extravagant productions.

The average cost of a Hollywood film runs between 30 and 50 million dollars. There are many reasons for this outlandish expense. The currently popular action-adventure productions are filled with special effects that cost huge amount of money. In addition, most producers think in terms of blockbuster films. Instead of making a number of smaller, less-expensive films, they focus on big, elaborate films that could be smash hits. Of course, blockbuster films require big stars, which adds significantly to the production costs. The salary of a top start such as Bruce Willis or Harrison Ford can add 20 million dollars to the cost of a major film. Then, the nonstop, full-throttle promotion of a film adds another enormous expense. All of these factors have contributed to the inflated costs of making and watching movies. Anyone who has bough a movie ticket recently knows that the consumer pays for these extravagant productions.