PARAGRAPH TOPIC SENTENCE BOby CONCLUDING SENTENCE
PARAGRAPH TOPIC SENTENCE BOby CONCLUDING SENTENCE
PARAGRAPH TOPIC SENTENCE BOby CONCLUDING SENTENCE
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WRITING A<br />
<strong>PARAGRAPH</strong><br />
<strong>TOPIC</strong> <strong>SENTENCE</strong><br />
<strong>BOby</strong><br />
<strong>CONCLUDING</strong> <strong>SENTENCE</strong>
A Closer Look at the Parts<br />
The Topic Sentence:<br />
A good topic sentence does three things:<br />
1. It names the subject<br />
2. It tells what part of the subject you will talk about (the<br />
focus)<br />
3. It catches the reader's attention<br />
It snowed a lot yesterday (subject), so school let out<br />
early (focus).<br />
The sentences in the body explain or describe the subject by<br />
using facts, details, and examples. All of the ideas in the<br />
body should be stated in the best order. To help put things in<br />
order, list the main ideas before you write your paragraph.<br />
It started to snow...<br />
big flakes came down...<br />
came down harder and harder...<br />
Snow piled up...<br />
Principal closed school early...<br />
The Closing Sentence;<br />
The last sentence reminds readers of what the paragraph is<br />
about. It also gives the reader one last idea to think about.<br />
Thanks to the snowstorm, we had a free afternoon!
One of the sentences in a paragraph gives the main idea of the<br />
paragraph. This sentence is called a topic sentence. The topic<br />
sentence is usually the first sentence in a paragraph. It shows the<br />
reader (and the writer) what the paragraph is going to be about.<br />
Circle the topic sentence in this paragraph.<br />
Trees give us many things. They shade<br />
us on hot days. Their wood helps to build<br />
our homes. Their leaves give oxygen to the<br />
air to help us breathe. They are beautiful to<br />
look at, tool<br />
Create a topic sentence for<br />
each main idea below.<br />
1. Dancing:<br />
Dancing is a great way to exercise I<br />
2. A dictionary:<br />
3. Tennis shoes:<br />
4. A zebra:<br />
5. Buhhifl gum:<br />
6. Wirtex:<br />
7. Your grandmother or grandfather.<br />
(<br />
i
hat s Your Topic?<br />
Vrite top/c sentences for each paragraph below, p<br />
There are lions and tigers in outdoor pens. Wild birds are flying<br />
in large, tree-filled cages. Also, a visitor at the zoo can see snakes<br />
and reptiles of many different sizes. But my favorite thing to see<br />
at the zoo is the monkey who swings on a trapeze in a cage by<br />
the popcorn stand.<br />
akpBBfcjfoi i jS<br />
First, you must listen carefully in class. Next,<br />
you must study for your tests and quizzes. Finally,<br />
you must do all the homework the teacher<br />
assigns. If you follow these steps, good grades<br />
will be yours!<br />
It starts slowly and then destroys everything in its way. It can<br />
ruin homes and land. It can kill people and animals. So before<br />
you strike a match, remember how dangerous fire can be.<br />
—it i\ I \ it. it V\ ll I t_ l«t JifrL Ht 111 it lit !•< lit 111 Ml ni nl lit 1<br />
—. r — r — ^ . f—m. f*-m. m. J—». j——. y. ^m—m.. j>mm. j*—m. y. ya—a y—*. y—-<br />
| Check your paragraphs. Do all of your topic sentences n<br />
I make sense in the paragraph? Do all the sentences |<br />
\ relate to each topic sentence?<br />
P I J L i'l \ i'l I't I'l- ul. it ul lit ul it nt i» it nt i t nt I'B<br />
f r jr—r. f~~*. f—i. r ^ - r * - r * -<br />
m m<br />
f^^- f ^- f—-*- f—*- » - /""—»-<br />
12
Add the Middle!<br />
Last night, space invaders landed in my^<br />
backyard j<br />
I was lucky to survive with my lifel<br />
(Writing Hint: What happened? Were you scared?)<br />
The pet you have is the most adorable pet I have ever seen,<br />
May I take her home?<br />
(Writing Hint: What makes the pet adorable?)<br />
The party at school on Friday was the best party this year.<br />
The thing I liked most of all was when I danced with my English<br />
teacher.<br />
(Writing Hint: Describe the party. Why was it the best?)<br />
18
If MA 11W** %*f m m<br />
Sentences in paragraphs need to make<br />
nse with each other. They need to be connected.<br />
The words that help connect ideas<br />
between sentences are called connectives or<br />
transitions. These transitions make your<br />
writing easier to understand.<br />
Use the transitions in parentheses to<br />
connect the scrambled sentences<br />
below. Write the new sentences in<br />
paragraph form. Be sure to make<br />
sense with your sentences!<br />
1. I'll eat a salad.<br />
I feel like eating a hot, cheesy pizza.<br />
I need to lose ten pounds. (however, so, today)<br />
Today I feel like eating a hot, cheesy pizza.<br />
However, ,<br />
so<br />
2. She made me do my homework.<br />
My mother rushed in and unplugged my stereo.<br />
I was enjoying music in my room. (suddenly, after that)<br />
3. I sprinkle everything with nuts.<br />
I pour fudge or strawberry sauce over the scoops.<br />
I love to make ice-cream sundaes.<br />
I scoop ice cream into bowls. (first, then, finally)<br />
13
Writing:<br />
Transitions<br />
We need transitions to make our sentences "flow" from one to<br />
another. Depending on the paragraph, we use different transitions.<br />
To show<br />
location<br />
above, beneath, beyond, in front of<br />
To compare or<br />
contrast<br />
but, even so, even though, otherwise<br />
To show time first, next, later, soon, after a while<br />
To conclude or<br />
summarize<br />
To add<br />
information<br />
finally, in conclusion, as a result<br />
besides, for example, in addition<br />
Your task is to write a paragraph that uses transitions to show TIME.<br />
The topic is your choice, but make sure you have a good introductory<br />
sentence, good body sentences that use transition words, and a good<br />
concluding sentence.
Th* Essential Parts of a Paragraph<br />
And Then?<br />
All of the sentences you write in your paragraphs need to tie together as a unit They need to flow and<br />
be connected as well as make sense. The words and phrases that are used to connect ideas are called<br />
transitions. Here are some examples of transitions:<br />
first next then finally and so<br />
however nevertheless so today suddenly<br />
and then after that in addition at last although<br />
Here are some paragraphs that lack transitions. Rewrite them with transitional words or phrases. Read<br />
your work aloud to see if it flows.<br />
1. We're going to have an exchange student, next month. She needs to send In her<br />
papers to the exchange program. She will write us and send her picture. We will<br />
write her and send pictures. She will travel to our country, and we will meet herl<br />
2. It's a good Idea to get enough rest each nl^ht. Sleeping In too long on the<br />
weekends could cause problems. It can confuse our bodies, and then we will have<br />
trouble sleeping at nf^ht. If we get too much sleep, we waste time and may be too<br />
wound up to be able to concentrate. When Monday morning comes, we will be even<br />
more tired. It Is a good Idea to get enough rest. We need to do so In moderation.<br />
3. I was not able to do my homework last nf^ht. My brother broke his arm, and we<br />
had to take him to the doctor's office. It was really late when we got home. I set<br />
my alarm to get up early to do my homework. I was so tired that I slept through it<br />
and had to hurry to get to schooll<br />
Extension: Collect transitional phrases. There are many more than those listed on this page. On<br />
television and the radio, transitions are called segues (seg-ways). Listen to talk shows or news<br />
broadcasts on the radio or TV news programs to hear segues between topics. Jot down some of them<br />
("Speaking of unpredictable, here is Johnny Hail with the weather. What kind of unpredictable weather<br />
is in store for us this week, Johnny?**). Look for transitional phrases in newspaper and magazine<br />
mkles and stories. Start a collection with the entire class contributing. Look through them as a<br />
creative warmup before your next writing assignment.<br />
02490 How to Write a Paragraph 18 © Teac her Created Materials, Inc.
Name<br />
What Doesn't Belong?<br />
•<br />
Read the paragraphs below.<br />
Each one contains a sentence that<br />
doesn't belong.<br />
When you find it, draw a line under it.<br />
Be ready to teH why it shouldn't be in<br />
the paragraph.<br />
Morse Code is an international code for transmitting messages by wire or radio<br />
using signals of short and long duration. Short signals are called dots and long<br />
.. signals called dashes. The code was originated by Samuel Morse for use on his<br />
, telegraph. The letters SOS (three short signals, three long signals, three short<br />
signals) are an international distress signal. By radio telephone the distress can is<br />
"Mayday."<br />
Birthdays are important events at my house. Halloween is fun too. Everyone<br />
in the family joins in wishing the birthday person the best There's a huge dinner<br />
with special food. The birthday person gets to use the red birthday plate. Of course,<br />
there's also a cake and candles and singing, followed by presents - one for each<br />
year. But the best part is the feeling of being a famify and knowing that you are<br />
surrounded by love.<br />
Where do you sleep? Animals sleep in many different places. Horses and<br />
£ ^ giraffes sleep standing up. Bats sleep upside down. Rsh and snakes sleep with<br />
their eyes open. Some birds use special muscles to fock their claws to the branches<br />
so that they can perch on the branch without falling as they sleep. Cats sleep as<br />
much as twenty hours a day. Hippos sleep in a big heap. I sleep in a comfortable,<br />
soft, cozy, warm bed and I'm glad that I dol<br />
O 1997 by Evan-Moor Cotp. 49 Whtfrig FtbukHM Sonfonctf i Pvfgrapno EMC 57S<br />
j
ut Your Information in Order<br />
Writing q<br />
Paragraph<br />
Select a Subject 4<br />
interesting subject.<br />
Choose an<br />
Collect Details • Gather your<br />
facts and examples.<br />
* For a narrative paragraph, answer<br />
who? what? when? where? and why?<br />
about your subject.<br />
* For a descriptive paragraph, collect<br />
sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and<br />
so on.<br />
* For an expository paragraph, gather<br />
important facts and examples.<br />
* For a persuasive paragraph, list<br />
reasons that<br />
support your<br />
opinion.<br />
# Start with vour topic<br />
sentence,<br />
* lfaplflfn the subject in the<br />
middle sentences (the body).<br />
• Sam everything up in the closing sentence.
Check Your First Draft • Look closely at<br />
each part—the topic sentence, the body, and<br />
the closing;.<br />
* Are your sentences clear<br />
and in the best order?<br />
* Do you need to add more<br />
details about your<br />
subject? (Check the<br />
models on pages 58-61<br />
for help.)<br />
Correct Your Writing • Use these questions as a guide<br />
when you check your revised writing for errors:<br />
* Are your words interesting and colourful (soft or<br />
gweet instead Osgood)}<br />
* Have you used the right words (know instead of no),<br />
and are your words spelled coryectlv? #<br />
* Does each of your sentences begin with a rppital<br />
letter and end with the correct niinH-no+inn r*%
Paragraph Writing<br />
A paragraph has three parts: the topic sentence, the<br />
body (or middle) and the concluding sentence.<br />
A paragraph is like a train. The topic sentence is the<br />
train's engine. It is the sentence that drives the<br />
paragraph. The sentences in the body are the boxcars.<br />
They carry the cargo (facts, details, and examples that<br />
tell about the subject). The concluding sentence is the<br />
caboose. It brings the paragraph to an end.<br />
Topic Body Body Body Body Concluding<br />
Sentence Sentence<br />
(Train's<br />
Engine) (Boxcar) (Boxcar) (Boxcar) (Boxcar) (Caboose)<br />
Snow Day<br />
It snowed a lot yesterday, so school let out early. It<br />
started to snow before lunch. At first, a few big flakes<br />
came floating down. Then it started to come down<br />
harder and harder. Snow piled up on the playground. At<br />
12:30, the principal announced that school would let out<br />
at 1:00. Thanks to the snowstorm, we had a free<br />
afternoon.
Types of Paragraphs<br />
There are four types of paragraphs: narrative,<br />
descriptive, expository, and persuasive. Each one does<br />
something different.<br />
A Narrative Paragraph tells a story about an event in<br />
the writer's life. As you read this model by Patrick<br />
Brede, watch for details that make the story interesting<br />
and real.<br />
Prewrifing tasks: After you have chosen an interesting subject,<br />
answer who? what? where? and why? about your subject.<br />
Cooking with Grandma<br />
My Grandma and I had so much fun cooking in our<br />
backyard. First, we'd start by filling empty yogurt<br />
containers with little twigs and all sorts of leaves. These<br />
were some of our vegetables. We also used bits of grass<br />
for cabbage. Then we'd stir our food sticks and set it in<br />
the sun to cook. We checked our dinner all the time.<br />
Sometimes we would sprinkle everything with sand for<br />
salt and pepper. Finally, we would have a big feast!
Organizer for a Narrative Paragraph<br />
The best birthday party I ever went to was when<br />
(Name) turned (age) years old. We<br />
went to (place).<br />
We<br />
We also<br />
The very best part of the whole day was<br />
Birthday parties can be so much fun!
A Descriptive Paragraph describes a person, place, or<br />
thing. A good descriptive paragraph uses words that help<br />
readers see, hear, smell, feel, and taste the subject. As<br />
you read the model by Natalie Stern, watch for good<br />
descriptive words.<br />
Pre writing tasks: After you have chosen an interesting subject,<br />
collect sights, sounds, smells, and tastes about your subject.<br />
Zev's Deli<br />
Zev's deli is one of my favorite places to visit. When<br />
you walk in the door, you smell corned beef and fresh<br />
coffee and 100 other great smells. There are shelves<br />
everywhere, crammed with all kinds of food. There's olive<br />
oil in tin containers, pickles in jars, and boxes and boxes<br />
of crackers. You can hear Zev yelling out people's names<br />
when their food is ready. My favorite thing to order is<br />
cheese blintzes. They taste soft and sweet and warm.<br />
Zev puts bright red strawberry sauce on my blintzes.<br />
Yum! I can't wait for my next visit!
Organizer for a Descriptive Paragraph<br />
The very best food in the world is<br />
(Describe how it looks)<br />
(Describe how it smells)<br />
(Describe how it tastes)<br />
You should try it sometime. You might like it too!
The very best food in the world is<br />
(Describe how it looks)<br />
(Describe how it smells)<br />
(Describe how it tastes)<br />
You should try it some time. You might like it too!<br />
Write More About It<br />
Write a paragraph about your favorite dessert, snack, party food, or sandwich.<br />
Describe how it looks, smells, and tastes. Explain why you think someone else should try it.<br />
© 1997 by Evan-Moor Corp. 72 Writing Fabulous Sentences & Paragraphs EMC 575
* Mnfa: See teaching ideas on page 60.<br />
Name<br />
My Room<br />
Organizer<br />
for a<br />
Descriptive<br />
Paragraph<br />
Ii I<br />
ff My room is my own special place. When you step inside,<br />
bu will notice...<br />
' Come and visit anytime.<br />
Write More About It<br />
Write about another place that you like to be<br />
!J5 1997 b<br />
V Evan-Moor Corp. 73 Writing Fabulous Sentences & Paragraphs EMC 575
An Expository Paragraph explains something or gives<br />
information. It includes all the facts a reader needs to<br />
understand the subject. As you read this model by Tim<br />
Green, watch for words that explain. Often in expository<br />
paragraphs, time words (first, second, third, etc.) are<br />
often used to keep the main ideas in order.<br />
Prewriting Tasks: After you have chosen an interesting subject<br />
gather important facts and examples about your subject<br />
Living with a Little Brother<br />
Living with my little brother can be hard. First, he<br />
tries to copy me. If I have a second glass of milk, he<br />
does too. Second, he always wants to play with my<br />
friends. If we play basketball, he wants to join in.<br />
However, he is too small. Third, he wants to stay up as<br />
long as I do. He always says to my Mom, "But Tim gets to<br />
stay up later." My Mom says that he looks up to me and I<br />
should be proud about that. I'm trying to be, but it is not<br />
always easy.
Organizer for a Expository Paragraph<br />
I should receive an "A" on my homework assignment<br />
for three reasons. The first reason is<br />
Another reason is<br />
Finally, I deserve an M<br />
A" because<br />
I can't wait to see what my mark is!
A Persuasive Paragraph tells your opinion about<br />
something. It also tries to get your readers to agree<br />
with you. As you read the model by Susan Rodigou, watch<br />
for reasons that make the w iter's opinion strong.<br />
Prewriting Tasks: After you have chosen an interesting subject,<br />
list reasons that support your opinion.<br />
No Way to &o\<br />
Our neighborhood needs sidewalks. It is dangerous<br />
and hard to get around without them. We can't ride our<br />
bikes because our parents won't let us ride on the road.<br />
We can't use our in-line skates and skateboards either.<br />
In the winter, we can't even walk to our friend's houses<br />
because the snow piles up on the side of the road. We<br />
are stuck playing in our own yards. Other neighborhoods<br />
have sidewalks, so we should too!
Organizer for a Persuasive Paragraph<br />
Choose one of the following paragraphs:<br />
mm I mm §<br />
Being tall is terrific. One of the advantages is<br />
•mm mm<br />
Another is<br />
Finally,<br />
. These are the<br />
wonderful reasons why I love being tall!<br />
Being short is terrific. One of the advantages is<br />
Another is<br />
Finally,<br />
These are the wonderful reasons why I love being short!
Name , Organizer<br />
Tall Is Terrific<br />
Being tall is terrific. One of the advantages is —<br />
other is<br />
't you join the touters of tall?<br />
Small Is Swell!<br />
Being small is terrific. One of the advantages is.<br />
other is<br />
*i't you join the proponents of small?<br />
^rT^S^^ Persuasive<br />
w iof Paragraph<br />
by Evan-Moor Corp. 75 Writing Fabulous Sentences & Paragraphs EMC 575
Note: See teaching ideas on page 54.<br />
Nam©<br />
Putting<br />
It AH<br />
Together 4<br />
»originated in United Kingdom<br />
Read the topic and the details below.<br />
Think of a topic sentence about soccer.<br />
Write it down.<br />
Write sentences that support the topic<br />
sentence and include the details given.<br />
played by two eleven player teams r , , <br />
large rectangular field ^••JteasnMr<br />
object of the game—to send the ball, with the feet or head,<br />
into opponents' goal<br />
My Paragraph About Soccer<br />
© 1997 by Evan-Moor Corp. 59 Writing Fabulous Sentences A Pam~— w<br />
- r<br />
" —
Note: See teaching ideas on page 54.<br />
C 1997 by Evan-Moor Core.<br />
• weigh about 8 tons<br />
• thick, gray, wrinkled skin<br />
• large head<br />
• long trunk<br />
• tusks<br />
My Paragraph About Elephants
Read the topic and the details below.<br />
Think of a topic sentence about soccer.<br />
Write it down.<br />
Write sentences that support the topic sentence and<br />
include the details given.<br />
Finish with writing a concluding sentence to your<br />
paragraph.<br />
SOCCER<br />
• originated in United Kingdom<br />
• played by two teams<br />
• large rectangular field<br />
• object of the game is to send the ball, using your<br />
foot or head, into the opponents' goal<br />
My Paragraph About Soccer
Read the topic and the details below.<br />
Think of a topic sentence about the sun.<br />
Write it down.<br />
Write sentences that support the topic sentence and<br />
include the details given.<br />
Finish with writing a concluding sentence to your<br />
paragraph.<br />
SUN<br />
• closest star to the Earth<br />
• ball of burning gases<br />
• source of heat and light<br />
• 70% hydrogen and 307© helium<br />
• about 4.7 billion years old<br />
My Paragraph About the Sun