How to write a paragraph

How to write a paragraph How to write a paragraph

3 STEPS

Step 1 • Plan your topic with an outline 1. Decide on the point of your paragraph (topic) 2. List supporting reasons/details 3. Conclusion

Check your reasons carefully! Make sure they truly support your topic. • The outline is only meant to organize your ideas. It is for you - not for the teacher  so you don’t have to write complete sentences in the outline - just points.

Paragraph Outline This is how an outline looks like: Topic: ___________________________________________________ Reason 1: ________________________________________________ Details that develop reason 1: ________________________________________________________ Reason 2: _______________________________________________ Details that develop reason 2: ________________________________________________________ Reason 3: ________________________________________________ Details that develop reason 3: ________________________________________________________ Conclusion: ______________________________________________

Step 2 2. Use transitions Transitions are words to connect your ideas and sentences • To introduce reason 1: First of all orFor one thing • To introduce reason 2: Secondora second reason oranother reason • To introduce reason 3: Finallyor Last of all or A Final reason

Step 3 3. Edit and proofread Read your paragraph out loud. • Is all material on target and support your topic/topic sentence? • Is my paragraph well-supported? • Do I use transitions to connect ideas? • Have I checked the paragraph for sentence-skills mistakes?

Activity: preparation for writing Now let’s consider a sample paragraph and see how the 3 steps helped in writing it! Read the following sample paragraph, then complete the following outline. This will prepare you to proceed with your own paragraph that you will do next.

My Worst Teacher My seventh-grade math teacher, Mrs. Anderson, was the worst teacher I ever had. First of all, she seemed to know little about math. If you asked her a question about something that was not in the textbook, her answer was, “ I’m not going to cover things that are not in the book.” At least once a week, the class had to correct mistakes she made in doing equations on the board. Another reason I disliked Mrs. Anderson is that she favored smart students in the class. She always excused them for the restroom, but she almost never gave permission to weak or average students. She spoke to smart students in a friendly tone of voice and would smile and say “thank you” when they answered. On the other hand, she rarely thanked other students who were not excellent! Finally, Mrs. Anderson was often late or absent. She would usually come to class half hour late. We had substitute teachers in her class many times. I was not surprised to hear that Mrs. Anderson was fired at the end of the school year. Identify the topic sentence, 3 reasons, support for every reason & concluding sentence.

Let’s Check! Let’s check if you got everything right  • Topic sentence • Reasons 1, 2 & 3 • Details that support reasons 1, 2 &3 • Conclusion

My Worst Teacher My seventh-grade math teacher, Mrs. Anderson, was the worst teacher I ever had. First of all, she seemed to know little about math. If you asked her a question about something that was not in the textbook, her answer was, “ I’m not going to cover things that are not in the book.” At least once a week, the class had to correct mistakes she made in doing equations on the board. Another reason I disliked Mrs. Anderson is that she favored smart students in the class. She always excused them for the restroom, but she almost never gave permission to weak or average students. She spoke to smart students in a friendly tone of voice and would smile and say “thank you” when they answered. On the other hand, she rarely thanked other students who were not excellent! Finally, Mrs. Anderson was often late or absent. She would usually come to class half hour late. We had substitute teachers in her class many times. I was not surprised to hear that Mrs. Anderson was fired at the end of the school year. (topic sentence)

My Worst Teacher My seventh-grade math teacher, Mrs. Anderson, was the worst teacher I ever had. First of all, she seemed to know little about math. If you asked her a question about something that was not in the textbook, her answer was, “ I’m not going to cover things that are not in the book.” At least once a week, the class had to correct mistakes she made in doing equations on the board. Another reason I disliked Mrs. Anderson is that she favored smart students in the class. She always excused them for the restroom, but she almost never gave permission to weak or average students. She spoke to smart students in a friendly tone of voice and would smile and say “thank you” when they answered. On the other hand, she rarely thanked other students who were not excellent! Finally, Mrs. Anderson was often late or absent. She would usually come to class half hour late. We had substitute teachers in her class many times. I was not surprised to hear that Mrs. Anderson was fired at the end of the school year. (Reasons)

My Worst Teacher My seventh-grade math teacher, Mrs. Anderson, was the worst teacher I ever had. First of all, she seemed to know little about math. (1) If you asked her a question about something that was not in the textbook, her answer was, “ I’m not going to cover things that are not in the book.” (2) At least once a week, the class had to correct mistakes she made in doing equations on the board. Another reason I disliked Mrs. Anderson is that she favored smart students in the class. (1)She always excused them for the restroom, but she almost never gave permission to weak or average students. (2)She spoke to smart students in a friendly tone of voice and would smile and say “thank you” when they answered. On the other hand, she rarely thanked other students who were not excellent!Finally, Mrs. Anderson was often late or absent.(1) She would usually come to class half hour late. (2) We had substitute teachers in her class many times. I was not surprised to hear that Mrs. Anderson was fired at the end of the school year. (details for every reason)

My Worst Teacher My seventh-grade math teacher, Mrs. Anderson, was the worst teacher I ever had. First of all, she seemed to know little about math. (1) If you asked her a question about something that was not in the textbook, her answer was, “ I’m not going to cover things that are not in the book.” (2) At least once a week, the class had to correct mistakes she made in doing equations on the board. Another reason I disliked Mrs. Anderson is that she favored smart students in the class. (1)She always excused them for the restroom, but she almost never gave permission to weak or average students. (2)She spoke to smart students in a friendly tone of voice and would smile and say “thank you” when they answered. On the other hand, she rarely thanked other students who were not excellent! Finally, Mrs. Anderson was often late or absent.(1) She would usually come to class half hour late. (2) We had substitute teachers in her class many times. I was not surprised to hear that Mrs. Anderson was fired at the end of the school year. (conclusion)

Paragraph Outline This is how the outline for the previous paragraph looks like. Remember you can use your own words – not necessarily the same words in this outline Topic: Mrs. Anderson is my worst teacher • Reason 1: knows little about subject/math • Details for reason 1: 1. doesn’t answer questions not in book 2. Students correct her mistakes • Reason 2: likes smart students • Details for reason 2: • excuse them for restroom • friendly with them • Reason 3: often absent or late • Details for reason 3: • usually half an hour late • many substitutes in her class • Conclusion: Mrs. Anderson was fired at the end of the year

GREATJOB!  Now you are ready to proceed with your own paragraph!

Writing Activity Write a paragraph on the best or worst job you ever had. Provide three reasons why your jobwas the worst or best, and provide plenty of details to develop each of your three reasons. • Don’t forget: start by writing your outline!

How to write a paragraph