Writing the Paragraph The Basics

Creating Paragraphs Let’s begin by thinking of an APPLE. Using “short” words, list five things you already know about an apple.

Creating Paragraphs Your list might look like this: eat them different colors grow on trees great in pie some have worms

Creating Paragraphs Now S T R E T C H those the words on your list into at least five sentences. You can eat an apple. Apples come in different colors. Apples grow on trees. apple pie is delicious. Sometimes an apple has a worm in it.

Creating Paragraphs Now let’s put the sentences in a paragraph! First, think about which sentence you want to come first, second, third etc.

Creating Paragraphs How about this order? Apples come in different colors. Apples grow on trees. You can eat an apple. Apple pie is delicious. Sometimes an apple has a worm in it.

Creating Paragraphs Okay, let's connect the sentences into a paragraph with . . . indention capital letters at the beginning of each sentence, and a punctuation mark at the end of each sentence.

Creating Paragraphs Apples come in different colors. Apples grow on trees. You can eat an apple. Apple pie is delicious. Sometimes an apple has a worm in it. Indentation Capital Letters Punctuation

Creating Paragraphs Our sentences are in a paragraph form. We have indented and remembered to use punctuation. But it isn’t a good paragraph yet. Consider what you remember about paragraphs!

Creating Paragraphs Paragraphs are like a boxed present. They have three parts: a topic sentence (the box), detail sentences (the present inside the box), and concluding sentence (a bow that ties the whole thing together).

(Add more detail sentences as needed.) Creating Paragraphs The detail sentences tell the reader information about the topic. Our topic is “apples,” so each detail sentence should tell the reader more information about apples. 1. Detail sentence 2. Detail Sentence 3. Detail Sentence (Add more detail sentences as needed.)

Creating Paragraphs I don't think we have a topic sentence yet, do you? “Apples come in different colors” seems more like a detail sentence.

Creating Paragraphs A topic sentence should introduce the entire paragraph to the reader. These sentences don’t do that. 1. Apples come in different colors. 2. Apples grow on trees. 3. You can eat an apple. 4. Apple pie is delicious. 5. Sometimes an apple has a worm in it.

Creating Paragraphs How about this: Let me tell you what I know about apples. That seems like a better topic sentence, doesn't it?

Creating Paragraphs Topic Sentence Let me tell you what I know about apples. Detail Sentence  Apples come in different colors. Apples grow on trees. You can eat an apple.  Apple pie is delicious. Sometimes an apple has a worm in it. Concluding Sentence

Creating Paragraphs Notice that two of the detail sentences start with the same word. Apples come in different colors. Apples grow on trees. How can change them into something more interesting? Combine the two simple sentences into one compound sentence, then use the coordinating conjunction “and” like this:

Apples come in different colors and they grow on trees. Creating Paragraphs Apples come in different colors and they grow on trees.

Creating Paragraphs Topic Sentence Let me tell you what I know about apples. Detail Sentence Apples come in different colors and they grow on trees. Apples grow on trees. You can eat an apple.  Apple pie is delicious. Sometimes an apple has a worm in it. Concluding Sentence

Creating Paragraphs Now look at Detail Sentence number 2. Notice Detail Sentence 2 the verb "eat" is used in the present tense (eat) You can eat an apple.

Creating Paragraphs Make sure that you always have "verb agreement" throughout your paragraph. In other words, you have to make sure that everything in the paragraph takes place in the same time zone: past present, or future.

I ate an apple pie + present tense Creating Paragraphs Let’s make our paragraph in the present tense. That means we have to make a small change to Detail Sentence 3. I ate an apple pie. I ate an apple pie + present tense = I like to eat apple pie.

Creating Paragraphs Topic Sentence Let me tell you what I know about apples. Detail Sentence Apples come in different colors and they grow on trees. You can eat an apple. I like to eat apple pie. Sometimes an apple has a worm in it. Concluding Sentence

You can eat an apple. I like to eat apple pie. Creating Paragraphs We can combine these two small sentences into a complex sentence with just a little thought. You can eat an apple. I like to eat apple pie. Are you thinking . . . . . . adjectives?

Creating Paragraphs Think: What kind of apple pie? Dutch? hot? homemade? These are adjectives that will make our sentence SHOW not TELL the reader what we want to say!

Creating Paragraphs Try this: You can eat fresh apples, but I like to eat them in homemade apple pie.

Sometimes an apple has a worm in it. Creating Paragraphs Now, let's look at Detail Sentence 4. Let’s change the verb “has” to make it an action verb instead of a being verb. Sometimes an apple has a worm in it.

Creating Paragraphs Topic Sentence Let me tell you what I know about apples. Detail Sentence Apples come in different colors and they grow on trees. You can eat fresh apples, but I like to eat them in homemade apple pie. Sometimes an apple has a worm in it. Concluding Sentence

Creating Paragraphs Sometimes a worm is living in the apple. Don’t forget: the verb should be in the present tense! Were you thinking this? Sometimes a worm is living in the apple. Perfect! The words “is living” are present tense, just like the rest of the sentences in our paragraph!

Creating Paragraphs Topic Sentence Let me tell you what I know about apples. Detail Sentence Apples come in different colors and they grow on trees. You can eat fresh apples, but I like to eat them in homemade apple pie. Sometimes a worm is living in the apple. Concluding Sentence

Creating Paragraphs Finally, we are ready for the Concluding Sentence. This is the end of your paragraph and you are letting the reader know it is the end.

Creating Paragraphs Remember that paragraphs are like boxes. They have three parts: a topic sentence (which is like the box) detail sentences (which are the present inside the box), and Concluding sentence (which is like a bow that ties the whole thing together).

Creating Paragraphs Let me tell you what I know about apples. Our paragraph has a great “box” or topic sentence: Let me tell you what I know about apples.

Creating Paragraphs Our paragraph has a great set of “presents” or detail sentences inside the box: Apples come in different colors and they grow on trees. You can eat fresh apples, but I like to eat them in a homemade apple pie. Sometimes a worm is living in the apple.

Creating Paragraphs We need a great concluding sentence. Here is a good clue . . . look at the topic sentence and think about how to “tie” it to the concluding sentence. Let me tell you what I know about apples. (topic sentence) These are just a few things you should know about apples. (concluding sentence)

Creating Paragraphs Topic Sentence Let me tell you what I know about apples. Detail Sentence Apples come in different colors and they grow on trees. You can eat fresh apples, but I like to eat them in homemade apple pie. Sometimes a worm is living in the apple. Concluding Sentence These are just a few things you should know about apples.

The finished product:

Creating Paragraphs Let me tell you what I know about apples. Apples come in different colors and they grow on trees. You can eat fresh apples, but I like to eat them in homemade apple pie. Sometimes a worm is living in the apple. These are just a few things you should know about apples. Topic Sentence Supporting Sentences Concluding Sentence

Let’s try some! Write a paragraph