4. What is a Paragraph?
• A paragraph is a group of sentences
that tells about one subject or area.
• Each sentence in a paragraph must
give information about the topic
5. Reasons to Write a Paragraph
• 1. Describe something-Descriptive
paragraphs
• 2. Tell a story-Narrative paragraphs
• 3. Explain something-Explanatory
paragraphs
• 4. To Persuade-Argumentative
paragraphs
6. Parts of a Paragraph
• Topic sentence:
States the main idea of the paragraph. It tells the reader what
the paragraph will be about. A good topic sentence does two
things: 1. It names a subject 2.) It give the focus or main point
Ex: Subject: Egypt Main Focus: Religion
Ex: Subject: Egyptian Religion Main Focus: Gods
Sentences that are connected to the main idea. They include
information or details the reader needs in order to understand the
topic. Sentences should be ordered in the best possible order. 3
main ways to do this is either by time, location or importance.
• Closing:
• Sums up the paragraph’s message. It reminds the readers of
the topic. Can also be a trasition for the next topic.
Topic Sentence:
Supporting Details:
Closing Statement:
7. The ancient Egyptians believed in many different gods
and goddesses and each one had their own role to play in
maintaining peace and harmony across the land. Some gods
and goddesses took part in creation. Other gods and goddesses
brought the flood every year. Some offered protection, and
some took care of people after they died. Egyptians had local
gods who represented towns, and minor gods who represented
plants or animals. The ancient Egyptians believed that it was
important to recognize and worship these gods and
goddesses so that life continued smoothly.
Topic Sentence
Closing Statement
D
E
T
A
I
L
S
8. Think of a good topic sentence for this set of
details.
• Penguin Moms lay the eggs and afterwards leave to
get food for 2months.
• Penguin dads incubate the egg until it hatches.
• They take turns caring for their chick and feeding in
the sea.
• Once the egg hatches, the young stay sheltered in
the pouch of the mother while the father brings food.
9. Student Examples of Topic
Sentences
• Mother and father penguins both take
care of their young.
• Mother and father penguins play a very
important role in raising their young.
• Penguin mom and dads are very good
parents.
• Penguin parents are very protective of
their young and I will show you how.
10. Egypt is most famous for their pyramids. There are
over 100 pyramids in Egypt but that information is
unknown to many people. The most popular and well
known pyramids are the Pyramids of Giza. They are
located in Cairo. Pyramids were tombs for pharaohs. To
complete the pyramids, workers hauled and lifted
millions of limestone blocks that weighed an average of 2
and 1/2 tons each. They didn’t have iron tools or
wheeled vehicles. The workers carried each stone by
hand, pulled them on sleds, and lifted them up mud
ramps to be placed on the slowly rising structure.
Think of a Closing Statement
for this paragraph
11. Examples of Closing
Statements
• Now we are glad that the Egyptians worked
so hard so that we can admire the beauty.
• The pyramids have been standing in Egypt
for a long time, and they still stand for
people to see.
• You can see why the Egyptian would be
proud of all this hard work.
• We hope that someday scientist will be bale
to figure out how Egyptians built these
ancient structures.
12. Transitions
• Help your paragraphs flow together.
They link ideas so that they relate to
one another
in the same way
similarly
likewise
while
on the other hand
although
however
as a result
therefore
finally
in conclusion
in summary
lastly
in addition
14. The Topic Sentence (Top Bun)
• Very first sentence
of your paragraph.
• Always needs to be
indented.
• Tells what your
paragraph is going
to be about.
There are many reasons
that I love to teach. First of all, I
love to teach because I love being
at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by
quickly. A third reason I love to
teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something
new. Finally, I love to teach
because I love to be around kids.
These are just a few reasons I love
to teach.
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15. The First Detail (Lettuce)
• Should not be the most
important detail.
• Needs to follow directly
after the topic
sentence.
• Needs to be full of good
“lettucy” details!
There are many reasons that I
love to teach. First of all, I love to
teach because I love being at
school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by
quickly. A third reason I love to
teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new.
Finally, I love to teach because I
love to be around kids. These are
just a few reasons I love to teach.
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16. The Second Detail (Tomato)
• Still should not be
the most important
detail.
• Needs to follow
directly after the
lettuce sentence.
• Needs to be full of
good “juicy” details!
There are many reasons that I
love to teach. First of all, I love to
teach because I love being at school.
Another reason I love teaching is
that the days go by quickly. A
third reason I love to teach is
because I love seeing a student
understand something new. Finally,
I love to teach because I love to be
around kids. These are just a few
reasons I love to teach.
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17. The Third Detail (Cheese)
• Still not be the most
important detail.
• Needs to start
differently than
other sentences.
• Needs to be full of
good “cheesy”
details!
There are many reasons that I
love to teach. First of all, I love to
teach because I love being at school.
Another reason I love teaching is
that the days go by quickly. A
third reason I love to teach is
because I love seeing a student
understand something new.
Finally, I love to teach because I
love to be around kids. These are
just a few reasons I love to teach.
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18. The Last Detail (Meat)
• Finally!! The most
important detail.
• Should start
differently than most
of the other
sentences.
• Needs to be full of
good “meaty” details!
There are many reasons that I
love to teach. First of all, I love to
teach because I love being at school.
Another reason I love teaching is
that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I
love seeing a student understand
something new. Finally, I love to
teach because I love to be around
kids. These are just a few reasons I
love to teach.
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19. The Closing Sentence
(Bottom Bun)
• Should look a lot like
the topic sentence.
• Needs to summarize
the topic.
• Needs to be an
obvious end to the
sentence.
There are many reasons that I
love to teach. First of all, I love to
teach because I love being at school.
Another reason I love teaching is
that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I
love seeing a student understand
something new. Finally, I love to
teach because I love to be around
kids. These are just a few reasons
I love to teach.
20. Does watching violence on TV make people more prone
to violence themselves? Obviously, TV violence has some
negative effects. One study found that heavy TV watchers
are more fearful of others. They try to protect themselves
with guns, alarm systems, and security locks on doors. In the
same study it was found that heavy TV watchers are less
upset about real-life violence than are non-TV watchers. All
of the violence they see on TV makes them less sensitive to
the real thing. A recent study also found that TV violence
increases aggressive behavior in kids and makes them more
likely to select toy guns rather than other kinds of toys.
21. • 1Police officers complain that they arrest
perpetrators who are soon let out on the
street. 2Judges argue that they are bound by
laws that force them to free defendants,
some of whom may be guilty as charged, on
technicalities. 3Government officials worry
that they don’t have the funds or space to
construct new prisons. 4In addition, many
citizens claim that either the police, the
judges, or the government—or all of the
above—are not doing their jobs. 5Clearly, the
way the huge problem of crime is being
handled angers and frustrates many segments
of our society.
22. Here are some examples of
topic sentences:
• Topic Sentence: There are many
reasons why pollution in ABC Town is
the worst in the world.
• Topic Sentence: To be an effective
CEO requires certain characteristics.
• Topic Sentence: There are many
possible contributing factors to global
warming.
23. • Topic Sentence: Fortune hunters
encounter many difficulties when
exploring a shipwreck.
• Topic Sentence: Dogs make wonderful
pets because they help you to live
longer.
• Topic Sentence: Crime in poverty-
stricken areas occurs as a result of a
systemic discrimination.
• Topic Sentence: Teen pregnancy may
be prevented by improved education.
24. Glossary review
Essay
Introduction
Body (supporting paragraphs/developing
paragraphs)
Conclusion
Paragraph
Main idea-Topic sentence
Supporting sentences
Closing sentences-Clincher
Indentation
Cohesion and unity
Coherence
