Revising to Find Paragraphs

If your writing goes on and on without paragraphs, it can be hard to read. When this happens, you need to separate the writing into paragraphs. Use this three-step process:

1. Label the first word with a paragraph sign (¶).
2. Name the main idea in the first paragraph.
3. Find the first sentence not about this idea and label it. Start a new paragraph.
4. Repeat steps 1-3 as you move through your essay.

Writing the Beginning Paragraph

In the beginning paragraph, the first sentence is called the lead sentence. The lead should get the reader’s interest about the topic of the essay. The last sentence is the focus statement, which names the main idea of the essay. Any sentences in between give details about the topic.

1. Say something interesting about the topic.

   Ocean mammals are big and small.

2. Ask a question about the topic.

   What ocean mammal is your favorite?

Prewriting to Plan Your Own Essay

Warm-Up for Writing Essays

(c) Thoughtful Learning 2016

An essay explores a topic in great detail using multiple paragraphs. This lesson will show you one special way to gather information for your own essay.

What Is an Essay?

You first learn how to write sentences. Then you learn how to write paragraphs. Next, you learn how to write essays. Each new form builds on what you learned before: A group of related sentences forms a paragraph. A group of related paragraphs forms an essay.

An essay gives information about a single topic. The beginning paragraph introduces the topic, the middle paragraphs explain the topic, and the ending paragraph summarizes the main points. Essays explain, describe, or persuade.

In this unit, you will write an essay that explains how a group of third graders answered an interesting question.

Thinking About Polls

Big companies and organizations take polls to find out what people are thinking. For example, when there is an election, voters will be asked who they are going to vote for and why. Asking these questions helps candidates know how they are doing during their campaign.

Consumers are asked what they like such as thin or thick crust on their pizza. Young TV viewers like you may be asked about their favorite shows. Even principals and teachers use polls to ask their students different questions.

Understanding Explanatory Paragraphs

Your main purpose in an explanatory paragraph is to give information about a subject. You may give directions, present ideas, or explain how to do something. An explanatory paragraph uses transitions such as first, then, after, and finally.

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?

© Thoughtful Learning 2016

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.