By Anonymous (not verified), 12 March, 2026

Understanding Narrative Paragraphs

In a narrative paragraph, you tell a story about a personal experience. You try to pull your readers into the story and keep them wondering what will happen next. Be sure to include specific details to make your experience come to life.

Read a narrative paragraph.

Note how the author catches your interest in the topic sentence, describes the event, creates suspense, and closes the paragraph.

Listen to "Climbing Contest"

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Topic Sentence

Topic Sentence Last Tuesday, I invited Danny, Julio, Renatta, and Mishiko to ride over to climb my favorite oak tree. We’ve all climbed the tree together before, but this time we decided to see who could climb the highest. Julio and Renatta climbed a little bit higher than usual, and I climbed almost to the end of one huge limb. Body SentencesMishiko climbed even higher than I did, but Danny won our little contest. Unfortunately, he didn’t realize how high he had climbed, until he looked down. He froze. He clung to the limb he was on and was afraid to climb down. What if he had to stay up in the tree all night? Renatta took off on her bike to tell her mom. Her mom called the fire department, and before long, an engine—with sirens blasting—arrived to rescue Danny. Ending Sentence It was very exciting, but we also learned a lesson about climbing contests.

By Anonymous (not verified), 12 March, 2026

Writing Strong Beginnings and Endings

An effective paragraph begins with a clear topic sentence and ends with a strong closing point. These activities will help you practice writing these important parts.

Writing Topic Sentences

The topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about. It names the topic and gives a thought or feeling about it. Most of the time, it is the first sentence of the paragraph.

Sample Topic Sentence

The new indoor skateboard park challenges even the best skateboarders.

Specific topic: The new indoor skateboard park
Thought or feeling: Challenges even the best skateboarders

Read topic sentences.

Write the topic and thought or feeling for each sentence.

My brother’s room is the messiest room on the planet.
Topic:

Thought or feeling:
Keeping a well-organized backpack is one of the keys to a good day at school.
Topic:

Thought or feeling:

By Anonymous (not verified), 12 March, 2026

Warm-Up for Writing Paragraphs

Paragraphs are the building blocks of great writing. This unit will show you how to create paragraphs for three different purposes: to tell a story, to explain a topic, and to influence readers.

What Is a Paragraph?

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A paragraph is a group of sentences about one topic. Usually, the first sentence names the topic, and the other sentences give more details about it. In a well-written paragraph, sentences follow a clear order so that readers can quickly understand the topic.

Think of a paragraph as a telescope: It focuses on one specific idea and magnifies it so that people can see it more clearly.

Learning to write good paragraphs is essential to becoming a good writer. This unit will give you a chance to improve your paragraph-writing skills.

Teaching Tip

By Anonymous (not verified), 12 March, 2026

Writing Character Analyses

Writing Character Analyses Assignment Checklist Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template. Warm-Up for Analyzing a Character Thinking About Character Traits Reading a Student Model Prewriting for a Writing Topic to Analyze a Character for Character Development to Create a Thesis Statement Writing the Beginning Paragraph the Middle Paragraphs the Ending Paragraph Reading a Sample Draft Revising to Connect Characters to Themes to Improve Sentence Flow with a Peer Response in Action Editing Common Comma Errors Titles in Action Publishing a Final Copy Refl

By Anonymous (not verified), 12 March, 2026

Reading and Writing Literature for Assessment

Reading and Writing for Literature Assessment Assignment Checklist Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template. Warm-Up for Reading and Writing About Literature Thinking About Stories Thinking About Poetry Closely Reading Literature and Poetry Reading Literature Reading Poetry Analyzing Characters Analyzing Characters in Literature Analyzing the Psychology of the Poet Analyzing Literary and Poetic Devices Analyzing Devices in Literature Analyzing Devices in Poetry Inferring and Analyzing Theme Inferring Themes Analyzing Themes Understanding Vocabulary Answering Multip

By Anonymous (not verified), 12 March, 2026

Writing Narrative Arguments

Writing Narrative Arguments Assignment Checklist Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template. Warm-Up for Narrative Arguments Connecting Claims and Anecdotes Reading a Narrative Argument Prewriting to Consider Controversies to Research the Topic to Organize Your Argument Writing the Argument Beginning the Middle Paragraphs the Ending Paragraph Reading an Argument Essay Prewriting to Select a Narrative Topic for the 5 W's and H for Narrative Details Writing the Narrative Beginning the Middle Paragraphs the Ending Reading a Narrative E

By Anonymous (not verified), 12 March, 2026

Practice Tests for Reading and Writing Nonfiction

Practice Tests for Reading and Writing Nonfiction Assignment Checklist Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template. Nonfiction Reading and Writing Assessment Reading and Writing Nonfiction Assessment I Reading and Writing Nonfiction Assessment II Reading and Writing Nonfiction Assessment III Viewing and Writing Nonfiction Assessment IV Responding to DBQs Nonfiction Assessment V Answering Multiple-Choice Questions Nonfiction Assessment VI Assessing with Rubrics

By Anonymous (not verified), 12 March, 2026

Reading and Writing for Assessment

Reading and Writing for Assessment Assignment Checklist Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template. Warm-Up for Reading and Writing Assessments Thinking About Close Reading Thinking About Writing for Assessment Closely Reading Nonfiction Understanding Controlling Sentences Analyzing Controlling Sentences Inferring Controlling Sentences Finding Supporting Details Using Evidence from Sources Understanding Vocabulary Answering Multiple-Choice Questions Answering Multiple-Choice Questions About Texts Answering Multiple-Choice Questions About Conventions Analyzing Writing

By Anonymous (not verified), 12 March, 2026

Writing Comparison-Contrast Essays

Writing Comparison-Contrast Essays Assignment Checklist Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template. Warm-Up for Comparison-Contrast Essays Thinking About People Reading a Comparison-Contrast Essay Prewriting to Select Two Topics to Research Your Topics to Create a Thesis Statement Writing the Beginning Paragraph the Middle Paragraphs the Ending Paragraph Reading a Comparison-Contrast Essay Revising for Parallel Structure to Improve Transitions with a Peer Response in Action Editing Comparatives and Superlatives Punctuation of Compound Sentences in Action P

By Anonymous (not verified), 12 March, 2026

Writing Literary Analyses

Writing Literary Analyses Assignment Checklist Make a copy of this Google doc or download a Word template. Warm-Up for Writing Analyses Thinking About Conflict Reading a Student Model Prewriting to Select a Work to Focus on Literary Elements to Explore Your Focus to Create a Thesis Statement to Find Direct Evidence Writing the Beginning Paragraph the Middle Paragraphs the Ending Paragraph Reading a Sample Draft Revising for Thematic Details to Improve Organization with a Peer Response in Action Editing for Comma Usage to Punctuate Quotations in Action Publishing a Final