Condensed

Topic Sentence Supporting Details Three Es of Explanation Concluding Sentence Transitions

Topic sentences clearly introduce the information included in your paragraph.

Reason or fact that supports the topic sentence Transition word(s) introduce and CONNECT the supporting detail sentences within the paragraph

Elaborations Provide more detail Evidence Provides facts – data and/or statistics Examples Provides detail through clear, specific and relevant examples

Transitions are words and phrases that help connect one idea to the next Can be helpful in explaining the relationship of time First, second, third Following For example furthermore Also Next In addition finally

The concluding sentence sums up the ideas of your paragraph. Makes your writing feel finished, and completes the discussion.

A clear and interesting Topic Sentence that introduces your paragraph’s focus don’t ask questions or say “This paragraph will be about…” etc. Your paragraph should have at least 3 Supporting Details that clearly relate to your topic

Each Supporting Detail should have to at least 2 Explanations (examples and/or elaborations and/or evidence) – this means your paragraph will have at least 6 total Supporting Details and Explanations should be connected using transitions The paragraph should end in a clear Concluding Sentence that summarizes the information Don’t use IN CONCLUSION or TO SUM THINGS UP, etc.

Topic Sentence Supporting Detail E Supporting Detail E Supporting Detail E Concluding Sentence Don’t forge to connect supporting details and Es with transitions!!!

My camping trip was a total disaster! The weather was less than suitable for even a bear. I hardly slept that night because it was so cold. I was also afraid that my tent would collapse under the foot of snow that fell and collected on the roof of the tent. As if that wasn’t bad enough, we had no access to food. We planned on fishing for our food, but the lake had frozen over. We tried to hunt for food, but the animals had taken shelter from the falling snow and were impossible to find. Lastly, we got lost on the way back. Because the unexpected snow had fallen, we could not find the trail we used to get to our camp. It will be a long time before I will want to go camping again after this horrible experience.

Highlight the paragraph you were given. Topic Sentence Supporting Details Explanations-3 Es Conclusion Circle the transitions.

There are a few favorite menu items at the Italian restaurant in town. The first favorite on the menu is the buffalo chicken pizza. The sauce is thick so that it doesn’t run off the crust and down your arm as you eat it. It is also spicy enough for those who like fire hot sauces but not too spicy for those who prefer mild hot sauces. The chicken is perhaps the best part; it is not the processed chicken you normally get. Pulled chicken is mixed in with the sauce they spread on the pizza crust. Add a little blue cheese dressing and you’ve got a buffalo pizza that is perhaps the best in the county. Next on the favorites menu is the turkey hoagie. Made on freshly baked Italian rolls, these sandwiches are stuffed with roasted turkey meat rather than the sliced lunchmeat you usually find on a hoagie. These hoagies are in a class of their own! Last of the top three menu items is the fruit and veggie salad. This salad is made with a variety of healthy greens, topped with colorful strawberries, mandarin oranges and blueberries. This salad is completed with a sprinkling of cheese crumbles and drizzling of a delicious house dressing. There are other top-notch dishes, but these three are favorites within our community.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH with engaging information and that ends in your TOPIC SENTENCE FIRST BODY PARAGRAPH is based on a SUPPORTING DETAIL Es give information about the big topic and are connected with transitions – in your research project, you’ll use mostly facts and data. SECOND BODY PARA is based on the next SUPPORTING DETAIL Es – see above! THIRD BODY PARA is based on the final SUPPORTING DETAIL Es – see above! CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH begins with a restatement of the topic sentence and then makes the piece feel finished – it’s like your CONCLUDING SENTENCE but longer