How can I write an organized paragraph?

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Types of Writing

Writing a Paragraph The three colors of the traffic light help me remember how to write a simple paragraph. First, I use green to get me going. My topic sentence is green; it tells the reader what I am going to prove, explain, describe, or share. Next, yellow reminds me to slow down and support my topic with good reasons, interesting facts, or well-described details. I introduce my reasons, details, or facts with transitions. Finally, I see red, and it reminds me to stop. Red examples, explanations, evidence, and events bring my paragraph to life. My conclusion, of course, is green because I go back to my topic and use my last sentence to remind the reader of the topic.

Topic Sentences tell the reader what the writer is writing about The rest of your writing will follow your topic. You should always stick to your topic! Don’t ramble about other topics that have nothing to do with your initial topic

Main Ideas/ Reasons Main Ideas/ Reasons are the supporting details for your topic. They give a reason, detail, or fact. Use a transition with the star sentence.

Transitions Transitions in information/expository writing are words and phrases that writers use to: Introduce new key/star ideas Tie ideas together Signal a change Make connections

Elaborations/ Examples E’s should also be included in a paragraph to add interesting and accurate examples and explanations. This is called elaboration. Many words that start with the letter E will remind you of ways to elaborate your information and ideas.

Conclusions When you conclude your paragraph, try one of these methods: Summarize--summarize information In fact, skateboarding is good exercise and great fun for boys and girls. Convince--convince the reader of your position Truly, bike helmets save lives. Encourage--encourage your reader to take action When adults see young children smoking, they must speak up. Challenge--challenge your reader to think Not everything on T.V. is worth watching; stop and think before you waste your time.

Plan!

Whole Group Practice

Topic: My favorite type of candy

Types of Topic Sentences

Power (Number) Topic Sentences Examples: Who: Everyone enjoyed the three space exhibits at the museum. Our class read several fairy tales, but two were my favorite. What: My new bicycle has two safety features. The computers in our school’s computer lab have several great math programs. Where: At the zoo I saw a number of unusual animals. In science class Mr. Martinez showed us three types of rocks. When: This week we learned two new games in gym class. Each summer I join two different baseball teams.

Topic Sentences And, But, Or, and So Topic Sentences And, But, Or, and So are part of a group of words called conjunctions. And But Or So These conjunctions are used in compound sentences. They divide the two independent clauses (complete ideas) that make up a compound sentence. Think of the first clause as your occasion--reason for writing. Think of the second clause as the position--what you plan to prove or explain. Use a comma before the conjunction: , and… , but… , or…, so...

And, But, Or, and So Topic Sentences Examples I desperately wanted to buy a new bike , so I decided to earn money by helping my neighbors. The girls’ soccer team was determined , and everyone had a wonderful time. to win My brothers and I like watching animated , but science fiction movies are our films favorites.

Power (Number) Topic Sentences Power statements, used as topic sentences, contain number words. The number word is the focus point of the sentence. It points out your position-- what you plan to prove or explain. The number word lets a reader know that a list of information will follow. Two Several Three A number of Some A few Many A couple of Avoid “There are”, “These are”, “Here are” Power Statements; instead, start your Power Statements with: A Who A What A When A Where