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
Paragraphs are basic units of thought. Think of them as mini-essays or maxi-sentences. When you help students develop paragraph-writing skills, you help them learn to summarize their thoughts.
Thinking About Paragraphs
Well-organized paragraphs have clear beginning, middle, and ending parts. The following information will help you learn about the key parts.
The Topic Sentence
The topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph is about. A good topic sentence does two things: (1) it names an interesting topic, and (2) it provides a specific thought or feeling about the topic.
interesting topic + thought or feeling = topic sentence
The trees all around us (interesting topic) give us much more than just shade (specific thought).
The Body
Body sentences include specific details readers need to understand the topic. The following sentences include plenty of specific details.
. . . Trees add beauty to the landscape and give shelter to wildlife. Different types of trees provide wood, paper, food, medicines, and many other useful products. Tree roots prevent soil erosion and help store water. Though it is something you cannot see, the most important thing trees do is help clean the air. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen, and people need oxygen to breathe. . . .
The Ending Sentence
The ending sentence sums up the paragraph. A good ending sentence leaves readers with an interesting final thought.
People can thank trees for a lot more than shade on a hot day! (restates the topic sentence)
Respond to the paragraph.
Answer the question about the paragraph. Then follow the instructions to write your own topic sentence and supporting details about trees.
- What detail gives the strongest support for the topic sentence?
- What is your favorite thing about trees?
- Write a sentence that names your topic (trees), and tells your favorite thing about them.
- What facts, examples, anecdotes, and other details could you give to support your topic sentence? List them below.
Teaching Tip
The three-part structure of paragraphs parallels the three-part structure of essays. Topic sentences function like beginning paragraphs; body sentences like middle paragraphs; and ending sentences like ending paragraphs.
Teaching Tip
This unit focuses on tree houses, addressing this topic in explanatory, narrative, and persuasive forms. Help students see how one topic can be explored with different purposes in mind.