writing paragraphs how to write a successful paragraph!

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Writing Paragraph s How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

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Writing GREAT Paragraphs  The steps to GREAT paragraphs! 1. Paragraph Structure 2. Writing a Topic Sentence 3. Improving a Topic Sentence 4. Supporting Details 5. Developing Supporting Details 6. Organizing Paragraphs 7. Writing a Concluding Sentence

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Page 1: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

Writing ParagraphsHow to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

Page 2: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

Writing GREAT Paragraphs

What is a great paragraph?Clearly Focused

Well Supported

Effectively Written

Well organized

Page 3: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

Writing GREAT ParagraphsThe steps to GREAT paragraphs!

1. Paragraph Structure2. Writing a Topic Sentence3. Improving a Topic Sentence4. Supporting Details5. Developing Supporting Details6. Organizing Paragraphs7. Writing a Concluding Sentence

Page 4: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP ONE! – Paragraph Structure

Paragraph A series of related sentences that make a SINGLE point

about ONE subject Choose one subject

Too brief to discuss more than one subject Make a single point

Tell readers something you want them to know Stated in your Topic Sentence

Page 5: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP ONE! – Paragraph Structure

Relate other sentences to the Topic Sentence State your point in Topic Sentence Make your point in supporting details

Examples, reasons, testimony, observations, etc. Other sentences provide information and evidence A concluding sentence can bring paragraph to a close

Can also lead into next paragraph, if appropriate Not having this leaves the reader wondering

Page 6: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP ONE!Paragraph Structure

TOPIC SENTENCE

CONCLUDING SENTENCE

Page 7: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP ONE! – Paragraph Structure

All of the sentences make a paragraph, but they may not be in order. For each sentence write T for topic sentence, S if the sentence supports the topic sentence, and C if the sentence concludes the paragraph. As she climbed the stairs, her nose was filled with the

musty smell of old things. She walked to the door of her old refuge: the attic. Times at home had always been happy, but now

Sheila needed a break. The memories of good times made the present

situation seem bearable. Sheila dusted off an old picture frame and found a

picture of her mother, smiling.

Page 8: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP ONE! – Paragraph StructureREVIEW FROM YESTERDAY!

What does a paragraph need to be?

What is a paragraph? How many subjects

and details? Why?

How do you build a Topic Sentence?

Page 9: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP ONE!Paragraph Structure

TOPIC SENTENCE

CONCLUDING SENTENCE

Page 10: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP TWO! – Writing a Topic Sentence

The TOPIC SENTENCE tells the reader two important things; The subject of the paragraph What the author wants the reader to know about that

subject

THE TOPIC SENTENCE STATES THE SUBJECT OF THE PARAGRAPH AND WHAT THE

AUTHOR WANTS THE READER TO KNOW ABOUT THE SUBJECT!

Page 11: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP TWO! – Writing a Topic Sentence

Begin by asking yourself the following questions; What is the subject of the paragraph? What do I want the reader to know about the subject?

Use answers to form a topic sentence. For example,

Subject: fuel-efficient cars Want reader to know: help the environment Sentence: Buying a fuel-efficient car is one

way you can help the environment.

Page 12: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP THREE! – Improving Topic Sentence

The previous exercise makes writing a Topic Sentence look really easy, but writing a GOOD Topic Sentence is more challenging. Look at the Topic sentence as starting a conversation

of a dialogue. The Topic Sentence provides the basis for the

conversation. A good Topic Sentence should present a single idea

that is broad enough to invite discussion.

Page 13: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP THREE! – Improving Topic Sentence

Single Idea. A paragraph is focused on ONE IDEA! The sentence should have one subject and one verb! A. Incorrect – Baseball players and lawyers get paid

too much money for the work they do. This sentence has two subjects: baseball players and

lawyers. The support needed for this sentence requires more than a paragraph.

Page 14: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP THREE! – Improving Topic Sentence

Single Idea. A paragraph is focused on ONE IDEA! A. Correct – Professional baseball players get paid too

much for the work they do. B. Correct – Lawyers get paid too much for the work

they do. Invites Discussion. Makes reader want to read more!

Weak: I went to Florida last year. Good: Florida is the ideal place to go for a winter

vacation

Page 15: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP THREE! – Improving Topic Sentence

IN CLASS PRACTICE

Page 16: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP ONE! – Paragraph Structure

All of the sentences make a paragraph. For each sentence write T for topic sentence, S if the sentence supports the topic sentence, and C if the sentence concludes the paragraph. Training involves many hours of lifting weights and

running sprints. Without this preparation, performance will drop and

injuries are more of a risk. Like the other athletes you see at the Olympics,

javelin throwers deserve respect. The javelin is not a very heavy object, but throwing it

long distances requires great arm and leg strength. Javelin throwing may look easy on TV, but in reality, it

is a very demanding sport.

Page 17: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP TWO! – Writing a Topic Sentence

For each of the following sentences, write a Topic Sentence based on the subject and what you want the reader to know. Subject: baseball cards Want reader to now: it’s an interesting hobby

Subject: school uniforms Want reader to know: decrease learning

distractions

Page 18: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP THREE! – Improving Topic Sentence

For each group of sentences, decide which is a good topic sentence. Then, describe why the others are not effective. A. I had never seen so much trash in all my life! B. The trash bag piling up. C. Last summer, I worked for a trash collection company. A. Modern rap is rooted in traditional African music. B. Modern rap has led to creative innovations in music. C. My brother listens to rap music all the time.

Page 19: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP FOUR! – Supporting Details What is supporting details?

Supporting Details do more than restate the topic sentence.

They provide reasons and examples that show why the main idea is true.

Supporting Details are related to the topic. If ideas stray from the topic, this weakens the paragraph.

Supporting Details are SPECIFIC, not general, statements.

Page 20: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP FOUR! – Supporting Details EXAMPLE 1

Researchers have proven that smoking is a bad habit for your health. Many researchers have determined smoking is unhealthy. In addition, researchers have publicized smoking’s harmful components.

Is this CORRECT of INCORRECT?

Page 21: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP FOUR! – Supporting Details EXAMPLE 2

Researchers have proven that smoking is a bad habit for your health. American Medical Association has issued several warnings about the increased risk of lung cancer linked to smoking. In addition, the New England Journal of Medicine has issued its own separate findings verifying this same link between smoking and cancer.

Is this CORRECT of INCORRECT?

Page 22: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP FOUR! – Supporting Details EXAMPLE 3

It is easier than ever to learn a new language. Sometimes it’s hard to find someone who speaks another language. It’s also fun to learn martial arts. Sometimes I just can’t learn how to memorize things.

Is this CORRECT of INCORRECT?

Page 23: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP FOUR! – Supporting Details EXAMPLE 4

It is easier than ever to learn a new language. Right now, you can learn a language by taking an elective course in high school. Then, if you go to college you may have the opportunity to live in a foreign country as an exchange student. All along, you can join chat rooms on the Internet or conversation meetings in your area that will help you practice speaking your new language.

Is this CORRECT of INCORRECT?

Page 24: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

Step FIVE! Developing Supporting Details

A good way develop supporting details is to; Consider what questions a reader might ask

Supporting Details provide answers to questions the reader may have about the topic sentence.

Topic Sentence: Florida is the ideal place for a winter vacation Reader might ask:

Where is Florida? What can you do there? How do you know its ideal? What if I like the cold? What makes it ideal?

Page 25: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP SIX! Organizing Paragraphs

There are different ways to order your paragraphs;Time order

Especially important when writing a narrative

Spatial orderWhen you describe a scene or locationArrange your ideas (top to bottom/left to

right, etc.)

Page 26: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP SIX! Organizing Paragraphs

There are different ways to order your paragraphsOrder of importance

The most common wayAll ideas should be relevant to topic

Contrasting IdeasWhen an assignments ask you to

choose one side

Page 27: Writing Paragraphs How to write a SUCCESSFUL PARAGRAPH!

STEP SEVEN! Writing a Concluding Sentence The beginning and end of each

paragraph is important Topic Sentence – beginning Concluding Sentence – end

Concluding Sentence does one or more; Emphasizes an important point Provides a summary of the topic and

details Suggest a response to the reader Link one paragraph to another