How to Create a Paragraph

1. How to Create a Paragraph

2. What is a paragraph? • collection of sentences that relate to a central theme or topic • Dictionary: A distinct section of a piece of writing, usually dealing with a single theme and indicated by a newline, indentation, or numbering.

3. Main Parts of a Paragraph • Topic sentence • Supporting details • Concluding (clincher) sentence

4. Topic Sentence • expresses the main idea of the paragraph • includes a strong verb to make a statement • must be supported by all other sentences • must be about something you can • prove • explain • show through description

5. Topic Sentence – Examples • There are several strategies you can use to improve your vocabulary. • Spaghetti is one of the easiest meals to make because it only involves a few easy steps. • I always eat healthy by following a few simple guidelines.

6. Supporting Details • provide explanations and support for the topic sentence of your paragraph • give writing flavor • are best “found” by using a prewriting activity • brainstorming • outlining • mapping

7. Supporting Detail– Examples There are several strategies you can use to improve your vocabulary. • learn meanings of word parts • context clues • play word games • use thesaurus or dictionary

8. Supporting Detail– Examples Spaghetti is one of the easiest meals to make because it only involves a few easy steps. • boil water • add spaghetti • stir • wait 8 – 10 minutes • strain pasta • serve with sauce and cheese

9. Supporting Detail– Examples I always eat healthy by following a few simple guidelines. • organic foods • vegan diet • mostly raw • try to avoid sugars and fats • healthy snacks

10. Concluding (Clincher) Sentence • summarizes the main idea (found in your topic sentence) • reinforces the point or opinion • same idea as the topic sentence but includes • question, • an amusing thought • an unexpected twist • is never another support sentence

11. Concluding (Clincher) Sentence There are several strategies you can use to improve your vocabulary. • learn meanings of word parts • context clues • play word games • use thesaurus or dictionary By using these valuable resources, you will increase your knowledge of new word meanings.

12. Concluding (Clincher) Sentence Spaghetti is one of the easiest meals to make because it only involves a few easy steps. • boil water • add spaghetti • stir • wait 8 – 10 minutes • strain pasta • serve with sauce and cheese Creating a tasty spaghetti meal is as easy as 1-2-3.

13. Concluding (Clincher) Sentence I always eat healthy by following a few simple guidelines. • organic foods • vegan diet • mostly raw • try to avoid sugars and fats • healthy snacks Eating healthy can be easier than it seems.

14. Note • supportingdetails must be further explained to make them “juicy” • you should ALWAYS use a prewritingstrategy • ALWAYS write a firstdraft, which you will then revise and edit • avoid repeating words – use synonyms • include transitions to make your writing flow • first, second, then • before, after, finally

15. The Writing Process

16. Steps of the Writing Process • Prewriting • Drafting • Revising • Editing

17. Prewriting • brainstorming • mapping • outlining • freewriting

18. Drafting • “Sloppy Copy” • turn ideas and thoughts into sentences • don’t worry about grammar or spelling

19. Revising • content • structure (topic sentence, details, clincher?) • transitions between ideas • unrelated ideas ---> OUT!!! • flow • descriptive words to “paint a picture”

20. Editing • proofreading • grammar (tenses, pronouns, sentence structure, punctuation marks…) • spelling Barack Obama editing during speech writing process

21. Let’s Practice • “A New Experience” • go through all the steps of the writing process • underline topic and clincher sentence • use Editing Checklist in the box on p. 14 of Focus on Grammar.