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Paragraphs. RW 250 Professor Ben Taylor. What is a paragraph?. A group of sentences about one topic. What does a paragraph look like?. Indent the first line .5 inches with or 5 spaces. What does a paragraph look like?.
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Paragraphs RW 250 Professor Ben Taylor
What is a paragraph? • A group of sentences about one topic.
What does a paragraph look like? Indent the first line .5 inches with or 5 spaces
What does a paragraph look like? Some paragraphs do not indent, but in this class, ALWAYS indent.
What is in a paragraph? • Topic sentence / main idea • Supporting details (“body”) • Conclusion sentence (not always necessary)
What is the difference between a topic sentence and a main idea? Main Idea Topic Sentence
What does the topic sentence do? • It makes a general statement about everything your paragraph will say. • The topic • What you want to say about the topic • Dogsare better than cats. • The students at the LCI have too much homework. We should have less homework.
What does the topic sentence do? • If your paragraph is answering a question (for a test), your topic sentence should directly answer the question! • Would you prefer a dog or a cat as a pet? I would prefer a dog as a pet because…
What should your details do? • All details in your paragraph should connect to and support the topic sentence.
What should your details do? • Here are some kinds of details: • Reasons (why) – usually followed by examples • Examples (specific people, places, things, or events) • Explanations (how) • Facts and statistics (35%...) • Anything that supportsyour main idea • First, dogs are more friendly and loyal than cats. They will follow you on walks…
What should your conclusion do? • Say the topic sentence again in new words and/or • What’s next? • what will happen in the future • what the reader should do • a question or idea for the reader to think about more That’s why I like dogs better. I think everyone should have a dog.
Before you write: brainstorm! • Write every idea you can think of. • Choose one main idea. • Write every detail you can think of. • Choose the best details.