WRITING A PARAGRAPH

TOPIC SENTENCE

BOby

CONCLUDING SENTENCE

A Closer Look at the Parts

The Topic Sentence: A good topic sentence does three things: 1. I t names the subject 2. I t tells what part of the subject you will talk about (the focus) 3. I t catches the reader's attention

I t snowed a lot yesterday (subject), so school let out early (focus).

The sentences in the body explain or describe the subject by using facts, details, and examples. All of the ideas in the body should be stated in the best order. To help put things in order, list the main ideas before you write your paragraph.

I t started to snow... big flakes came down... came down harder and harder... Snow piled up... Principal closed school early...

The Closing Sentence; The last sentence reminds readers of what the paragraph is about. I t also gives the reader one last idea to think about.

Thanks to the snowstorm, we had a free afternoon!

One of the sentences in a paragraph gives the main idea of the paragraph. This sentence is called a topic sentence. The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph. It shows the reader (and the writer) what the paragraph is going to be about.

Circle the topic sentence in this paragraph.

Trees give us many things. They shade us on hot days. Their wood helps to build our homes. Their leaves give oxygen to the air to help us breathe. They are beautiful to look at, tool

Create a topic sentence for each main idea below.

1. Dancing: Dancing is a great way to exercise I

2. A dictionary:

3. Tennis shoes:

4. A zebra:

5. Buhhifl gum:

6. Wirtex:

7. Your grandmother or grandfather.

( i

hat s Your Topic? Vrite top/c sentences for each paragraph below, p

There are lions and tigers in outdoor pens. Wild birds are f ly ing in large, tree-filled cages. Also, a visitor at the zoo can see snakes and reptiles of many different sizes. But my favorite thing to see at the zoo is the monkey who swings on a trapeze in a cage by the popcorn stand.

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First, you must listen carefully in class. Next, you must study for your tests and quizzes. Final­ly, you must do all the homework the teacher assigns. If you fol low these steps, good grades wil l be yours!

It starts slowly and then destroys everything in its way. It can ruin homes and land. It can kill people and animals. So before you strike a match, remember how dangerous fire can be.

—it i \ I \ i t . i t V\ l l I t_ l«t JifrL Ht 111 i t l i t !•< l i t 111 Ml n i n l l i t 1 —. r — r — ^ . f—m. f*-m. m. J—». jj——. y . ^m—m.. j>mm. j*—m. y . ya—a y—*. y—-

| Check your paragraphs. Do all of your topic sentences n I make sense in the paragraph? Do all the sentences | \ relate to each topic sentence? P I J L i ' l \ i ' l I ' t I ' l - u l . i t u l l i t u l i t n t i » i t n t i t nt I'B

f r j r—r. f~~*. f — i . r ^ - r * - r * - f ^ ^ - f m m ^ - f—-*- f—*- » - /""—»-

12

Add the Middle!

Last night, space invaders landed in m y ^

backyard j

I was lucky to survive with my lifel (Writing Hint: What happened? Were you scared?)

The pet you have is the most adorable pet I have ever seen,

May I take her home?

(Writing Hint: What makes the pet adorable?)

The party at school on Friday was the best party this year.

The thing I liked most of all was when I danced with my English teacher. (Writ ing Hint: Describe the party. Why was it the best?)

18

I f MA 1 1 W * * %*f m m

Sentences in paragraphs need to make nse with each other. They need to be con­

nected. The words that help connect ideas between sentences are called connectives or transitions. These transitions make your writing easier to understand.

Use the transitions in parentheses to connect the scrambled sentences below. Write the new sentences in paragraph form. Be sure to make sense with your sentences!

1. I'll eat a salad. I feel like eating a hot, cheesy pizza. I need to lose ten pounds. (however, so, today)

Today I feel like eating a hot, cheesy pizza.

However, ,

so

2. She made me do my homework. My mother rushed in and unplugged my stereo. I was enjoying music in my room. (suddenly, after that)

3. I sprinkle everything with nuts. I pour fudge or strawberry sauce over the scoops. I love to make ice-cream sundaes. I scoop ice cream into bowls. (first, then, finally)

13

Writing:

Transitions

We need transitions to make our sentences "flow" from one to another. Depending on the paragraph, we use different transitions.

To show location

above, beneath, beyond, in front of

To compare or contrast

but, even so, even though, otherwise

To show time first, next, later, soon, after a while

To conclude or summarize

finally, in conclusion, as a result

To add information

besides, for example, in addition

Your task is to write a paragraph that uses transitions to show TIME. The topic is your choice, but make sure you have a good introductory sentence, good body sentences that use transition words, and a good concluding sentence.

r

Th* Essential Parts of a Paragraph

And Then? All of the sentences you write in your paragraphs need to tie together as a unit They need to flow and be connected as well as make sense. The words and phrases that are used to connect ideas are called transitions. Here are some examples of transitions:

first next then finally and so however nevertheless so today suddenly and then after that in addition at last although

Here are some paragraphs that lack transitions. Rewrite them with transitional words or phrases. Read your work aloud to see if it flows.

1. We're going to have an exchange student, next month. She needs to send In her papers to the exchange program. She will write us and send her picture. We will write her and send pictures. She will travel to our country, and we will meet herl

2. It's a good Idea to get enough rest each nl^ht. Sleeping In too long on the weekends could cause problems. It can confuse our bodies, and then we will have trouble sleeping at nf^ht. If we get too much sleep, we waste time and may be too wound up to be able to concentrate. When Monday morning comes, we will be even more tired. It Is a good Idea to get enough rest. We need to do so In moderation.

3. I was not able to do my homework last nf^ht. My brother broke his arm, and we had to take him to the doctor's office. It was really late when we got home. I set my alarm to get up early to do my homework. I was so tired that I slept through it and had to hurry to get to schooll

Extension: Collect transitional phrases. There are many more than those listed on this page. On television and the radio, transitions are called segues (seg-ways). Listen to talk shows or news broadcasts on the radio or TV news programs to hear segues between topics. Jot down some of them ("Speaking of unpredictable, here is Johnny Hail with the weather. What kind of unpredictable weather is in store for us this week, Johnny?**). Look for transitional phrases in newspaper and magazine mkles and stories. Start a collection with the entire class contributing. Look through them as a creative warmup before your next writing assignment.

02490 How to Write a Paragraph 18 © Teac her Created Materials, Inc.

Name

What Doesn't Belong?

Read the paragraphs below.

Each one contains a sentence that doesn't belong.

When you find it, draw a line under it.

Be ready to teH why it shouldn't be in the paragraph.

j Morse Code is an international code for transmitting messages by wire or radio

using signals of short and long duration. Short signals are called dots and long •

.. signals called dashes. The code was originated by Samuel Morse for use on his

, telegraph. The letters SOS (three short signals, three long signals, three short

signals) are an international distress signal. By radio telephone the distress can is

"Mayday."

Birthdays are important events at my house. Halloween is fun too. Everyone

in the family joins in wishing the birthday person the best There's a huge dinner

with special food. The birthday person gets to use the red birthday plate. Of course,

there's also a cake and candles and singing, followed by presents - one for each

year. But the best part is the feeling of being a famify and knowing that you are

surrounded by love.

Where do you sleep? Animals sleep in many different places. Horses and

£ ^ giraffes sleep standing up. Bats sleep upside down. Rsh and snakes sleep with

their eyes open. Some birds use special muscles to fock their claws to the branches

so that they can perch on the branch without falling as they sleep. Cats sleep as

much as twenty hours a day. Hippos sleep in a big heap. I sleep in a comfortable,

soft, cozy, warm bed and I'm glad that I dol

O 1997 by Evan-Moor Cotp. 49 Whtfrig FtbukHM Sonfonctf i Pvfgrapno EMC 57S

Writing q Paragraph

Select a Subject 4 interesting subject.

Choose an

Collect Details • Gather your facts and examples.

* For a narrative paragraph, answer who? what? when? where? and why? about your subject.

* For a descriptive paragraph, collect sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and so on.

* For an expository paragraph, gather important facts and examples.

* For a persuasive paragraph, list reasons that support your opinion.

ut Your Information in Order

# Start with vour topic sentence,

* lfaplflfn the subject in the middle sentences (the body).

• Sam everything up in the closing sentence.

Check Your First Draft • Look closely at each part—the topic sentence, the body, and the closing;.

* Are your sentences clear and in the best order?

* Do you need to add more details about your subject? (Check the models on pages 58-61 for help.)

Correct Your Writing • Use these questions as a guide when you check your revised writing for errors:

* Are your words interesting and colourful (soft or gweet instead Osgood)}

* Have you used the right words (know instead of no), and are your words spelled coryectlv? #

* Does each of your sentences begin with a rppital letter and end with the correct niinH-no+inn r*%<**.hi

Paragraph Writing

A paragraph has three parts: the topic sentence, the body (or middle) and the concluding sentence.

A paragraph is like a train. The topic sentence is the train's engine. I t is the sentence that drives the paragraph. The sentences in the body are the boxcars. They carry the cargo (facts, details, and examples that tell about the subject). The concluding sentence is the caboose. I t brings the paragraph to an end.

Topic Body Body Body Body Concluding Sentence Sentence (Train's Engine) (Boxcar) (Boxcar) (Boxcar) (Boxcar) (Caboose)

Snow Day

I t snowed a lot yesterday, so school let out early. I t started to snow before lunch. At first, a few big flakes came floating down. Then i t started to come down harder and harder. Snow piled up on the playground. At 12:30, the principal announced that school would let out at 1:00. Thanks to the snowstorm, we had a free afternoon.

Types of Paragraphs

There are four types of paragraphs: narrative, descriptive, expository, and persuasive. Each one does something dif ferent.

A Narrative Paragraph tells a story about an event in the writer's life. As you read this model by Patrick Brede, watch for details that make the story interesting and real.

Prewrifing tasks: After you have chosen an interesting subject, answer who? what? where? and why? about your subject.

My Grandma and I had so much fun cooking in our backyard. First, we'd start by filling empty yogurt containers with l i t t le twigs and all sorts of leaves. These were some of our vegetables. We also used bits of grass for cabbage. Then we'd st ir our food sticks and set i t in the sun to cook. We checked our dinner all the time. Sometimes we would sprinkle everything with sand for salt and pepper. Finally, we would have a big feast!

Cooking with Grandma

Organizer for a Narrative Paragraph

The best birthday party I ever went to was when (Name) turned (age) years old. We

went to (place). We

We also

The very best part of the whole day was

Birthday parties can be so much fun!

A Descriptive Paragraph describes a person, place, or thing. A good descriptive paragraph uses words that help readers see, hear, smell, feel, and taste the subject. As you read the model by Natalie Stern, watch for good descriptive words.

Pre writing tasks: After you have chosen an interesting subject, collect sights, sounds, smells, and tastes about your subject.

Zev's Deli

Zev's deli is one of my favorite places to visit. When you walk in the door, you smell corned beef and fresh coffee and 100 other great smells. There are shelves everywhere, crammed with all kinds of food. There's olive oil in t in containers, pickles in jars, and boxes and boxes of crackers. You can hear Zev yelling out people's names when their food is ready. My favorite thing to order is cheese blintzes. They taste sof t and sweet and warm. Zev puts bright red strawberry sauce on my blintzes. Yum! I can't wait for my next visit!

Organizer for a Descriptive Paragraph

The very best food in the world is (Describe how it looks)

(Describe how it smells)

(Describe how it tastes)

You should t ry i t sometime. You might like i t too!

The very best food in the world is

(Describe how it looks)

(Describe how it smells)

(Describe how it tastes)

You should try it some time. You might like it too!

Write More About It

Write a paragraph about your favorite dessert, snack, party food, or sandwich. Describe how it looks, smells, and tastes. Explain why you think someone else should try it.

© 1997 by Evan-Moor Corp. 72 Writing Fabulous Sentences & Paragraphs EMC 575

* Mnfa: See teaching ideas on page 60.

Name

M y R o o m

Organizer

for a

Descriptive

Paragraph

I i I ff My room is my own special place. When you step inside,

bu will notice...

' Come and visit anytime.

Write More About It

Write about another place that you like to be

!J51997 bV Evan-Moor Corp. 73 Writing Fabulous Sentences & Paragraphs EMC 575

An Expository Paragraph explains something or gives information. I t includes all the facts a reader needs to understand the subject. As you read this model by Tim Green, watch for words that explain. Often in expository paragraphs, time words ( f i rs t , second, th i rd, etc.) are often used to keep the main ideas in order.

Prewriting Tasks: After you have chosen an interesting subject gather important facts and examples about your subject

Living with my l i t t le brother can be hard. First, he tries to copy me. I f I have a second glass of milk, he does too. Second, he always wants to play with my friends. I f we play basketball, he wants to join in. However, he is too small. Third, he wants to stay up as long as I do. He always says to my Mom, "But Tim gets to stay up later." My Mom says that he looks up to me and I should be proud about that. I'm trying to be, but i t is not always easy.

Living with a Litt le Brother

Organizer for a Expository Paragraph

I should receive an "A" on my homework assignment for three reasons. The f i rs t reason is

Another reason is

Finally, I deserve an MA" because

I can't wait to see what my mark is!

A Persuasive Paragraph tells your opinion about something. I t also tries to get your readers to agree with you. As you read the model by Susan Rodigou, watch for reasons that make the w i ter 's opinion strong.

Prewriting Tasks: After you have chosen an interesting subject, list reasons that support your opinion.

Our neighborhood needs sidewalks. I t is dangerous and hard to get around without them. We can't ride our bikes because our parents won't let us ride on the road. We can't use our in-line skates and skateboards either. In the winter, we can't even walk to our friend's houses because the snow piles up on the side of the road. We are stuck playing in our own yards. Other neighborhoods have sidewalks, so we should too!

No Way to &o\

Organizer for a Persuasive Paragraph

Choose one of the following paragraphs: mm I mm §

Being tall is terr i f ic. One of the advantages is •mm mm

Another is

Finally,

. These are the wonderful reasons why I love being tall!

Being short is terr i f ic. One of the advantages is

Another is

Finally,

These are the wonderful reasons why I love being short!

Name , Organizer

^rT^S^^ Persuasive w iof Paragraph

Tall Is Terrific Being tall is terrific. One of the advantages is —

other is

't you join the touters of tall?

Small Is Swell! Being small is terrific. One of the advantages is.

other is

*i't you join the proponents of small?

by Evan-Moor Corp. 75 Writing Fabulous Sentences & Paragraphs EMC 575

Note: See teaching ideas on page 54.

Nam©

Putting It AH

Together 4

Read the topic and the details below.

Think of a topic sentence about soccer.

Write it down.

Write sentences that support the topic sentence and include the details given.

»originated in United Kingdom

played by two eleven player teams r , , ™

large rectangular field ^••JteasnMr

object of the game—to send the ball, with the feet or head, into opponents' goal

My Paragraph About Soccer

© 1997 by Evan-Moor Corp. 59 Writing Fabulous Sentences A P a m ~ — w - r " —

Note: See teaching ideas on page 54.

• weigh about 8 tons

• thick, gray, wrinkled skin

• large head

• long trunk

• tusks

My Paragraph About Elephants

C 1997 by Evan-Moor Core.

Read the topic and the details below. Think of a topic sentence about soccer. Wri te i t down. Wri te sentences that support the topic sentence and include the details given. Finish with writing a concluding sentence to your paragraph.

• originated in United Kingdom • played by two teams • large rectangular field • object of the game is to send the ball, using your

foot or head, into the opponents' goal

SOCCER

My Paragraph About Soccer

Read the topic and the details below. Think of a topic sentence about the sun. Wri te i t down. Write sentences that support the topic sentence and include the details given. Finish with writing a concluding sentence to your paragraph.

SUN • closest star to the Earth • ball of burning gases • source of heat and light • 70% hydrogen and 307© helium • about 4.7 billion years old

My Paragraph About the Sun