The paragraph is a series of sentences developing one topic.

1. The Paragraph The paragraph is a series of sentences developing one topic.

2. The Topic Sentence • The main idea of a paragraph is stated in one sentence. This is called thetopic sentence.

3. The rest of the paragraph consists of supporting sentences that develop the main idea. main idea • Through the centuries rats have managed to survive all our efforts to destroy them. We have poisonedthem andtrappedthem. We have fumigated, flooded, andburned them. We have tried germ warfare. Some rats even survived atomic bombtests conducted on Entwetok atoll in the Pacific after World War II. In spite of all our efforts, these enemies of ours continue to prove that they are the most indestructible of pests. concluding sentence

4. Supporting Sentences Sensory details, or what we experience with our senses, can provide support. • Supporting sentences contain details that elaborate, explain, or prove a paragraph’s main idea. Facts and Examples are excellent supporting sentences.

5. Unity in the Paragraph Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main idea expressed in the topic sentence. This is called unity. mainidea sentence sentence sentence sentence

6. The concluding sentence • Restates the topic sentence in different words. • Emphasizes the point made in the paragraph.

7. Coherence • The reader can tell how and why supporting ideas are organized; ideas flow nicely from one to the next. • Organizational structure and transition create coherence.

8. Organizational Structures • Chronological: in order in which they happened. • Spatial: in order of location (often in descriptive writing) • Order of Importance:least to most important or most to least important (often in persuasive writing)

9. Connecting Sentences Within the Paragraph Full List of Transition Words on Page 688 chronological order first meanwhile later afterwards finally objects in relation to one another next to in front of beside between behind in order of importance however furthermore as a result in fact yet

10. Types of Paragraphs • The narrative paragraph • tells a story • The persuasive paragraph. • tries to convince the audience • The descriptive paragraph • describes something • The expository or explanatory paragraph • gives information or explains something