Paragraph Writing

Paragraph Writing

Several sentences that are grouped together • Discusses one main subject • Has three parts What is a paragraph?

1. Topic Sentence2. Body Sentences 3. Concluding Sentence Parts of a paragraph

The first sentence in a paragraph • The most general sentence in a paragraph • General means there aren’t many details in the sentence • It introduces an overall idea you’ll discuss Topic Sentence

For example, suppose that you want to write a paragraph about the natural landmarks of your hometown. The first part of your paragraph might look like this:

Connersville is famous for several amazing natural features. First, it is noted for the Wheaton River, which is very wide and beautiful. Also, on the other side of the town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep. A sample paragraph

The first sentence is the most general statement. • It’s different from the two sentences that follow it, since the second and third sentences mention specific details. Topic Sentence

Notice the first sentence begins a few spaces to the right of the paragraph edge • This is an indentation. • All paragraphs MUST begin with an indentation Indentation

1. My hometown is famous because it is located by Wheaton River, which is very wide, and because it is built near an unusually steep hill called Wheaton Hill. TOO MANY DETAILS Bad Topic Sentences

2. There are two reasons why some people like to buy cars with automatic transmission and two reasons why others like cars with manual transmission. MENTIONS TWO TOPICS, NOT JUST ONE Bad Topic Sentences

3. Clouds are white. TOO GENERAL AND TOO BORING Bad Topic Sentences

1. There are many reasons why some people like to buy cars with automatic transmission. 2. There are many reasons why some people like to buy cars with manual transmission. 3. The shapes of clouds are determined by various factors. Better Topic Sentences

Connersville is famous for several amazing natural features. First, it is noted for the Wheaton River, which is very wide and beautiful. Also, on the other side of the town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep. Body Sentences

Explain/prove the topic sentence Support the idea expressed in the topic sentence Should include a minimum of seven body sentences in a paragraph! Body Sentences

You should include enough details in your paragraphs to help your reader understand exactly what you are writing about. Consider this revision to the sample paragraph: Body Sentences

Connersville is famous for several amazing natural features. First, it is noted for the Wheaton River, which is very wide and beautiful. On either side of this river, which is 175 feet wide, are many willow trees which have long branches that can move gracefully in the wind. In autumn the leaves of these trees fall and cover the riverbanks like golden snow. Also, on the other side of the town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep. Even though it is steep, climbing this hill is not dangerous, because there are some firm rocks along the sides that can be used as stairs. There are no trees around this hill, so it stands clearly against the sky and can be seen from many miles away. The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree. This tree stands two hundred feet tall and is probably about six hundred years old. These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my hometown a famous place. Body Sentences

Buns are the topic and concluding sentences. • Meat, cheese, lettuce, tomato are the supporting details. Why are details important?

Without the food between the hamburger buns, your hamburger would not be delicious! • Without supporting details, your paragraph would not be very interesting! Why are details important?

Last sentence of a paragraph • Summarizes the information presented in the paragraph • Sort of a topic sentence in reverse! Concluding Sentence

Like buns hold the meat, cheese, etc. together, the topic and concluding sentences “hold” the supporting sentences in a paragraph. Concluding Sentence

Connersville is famous for several amazing natural features. First, it is noted for the Wheaton River, which is very wide and beautiful. On either side of this river, which is 175 feet wide, are many willow trees which have long branches that can move gracefully in the wind. In autumn the leaves of these trees fall and cover the riverbanks like golden snow. Also, on the other side of the town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep. Even though it is steep, climbing this hill is not dangerous, because there are some firm rocks along the sides that can be used as stairs. There are no trees around this hill, so it stands clearly against the sky and can be seen from many miles away. The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree. This tree stands two hundred feet tall and is probably about six hundred years old. These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my hometown a famous place. Concluding Sentence

Topic Sentence -general/one idea -first sentence Body Sentences -details/support-7 sentence min. Concluding Sentence -last sentence-summarizes info. Paragraph Summary

Paragraph Writing