Describing Detail Sentences

Detail Sentences The Topic Sentence describes the main point of a paragraph. The Topic Sentence is the appetizer. Each detail Sentence contains information about one or more main points or details of the paragraph. Details are the meat and potatoes of the paragraph.

Train Engine and Boxcars We discussed about how a train has an engine and boxcars. We also discussed how the boxcars are connected. Let us look at the picture.

The engine is the Topic Sentence, boxcars are the details, and the connectors are transitions. Which section has a lead detail and follow-up detail?

Notice that the boxcars are attached to the engine with a coupling device. Each coupler represents a transition word. To what part of the first boxcar is the coupling device attached?

Answer to Card 5: The coupling device, or transition word, is attached to the first section of the boxcar or the first Detail Sentence. This means the transition word is included in the first Detail Sentence.

A transition does two things:. 1 A transition does two things: 1. It signals the introduction of a new detail to the reader. 2. It shows the relationship between the detail and rest of the paragraph. Cue Card 22 – Students copy

Which boxcar is first and which one is the last on this train? Cue Card 21

By looking at tis picture of the train, we can easily see which box car is first, second, and third. The coupling device specify the order of the cars; they connect the boxcars in specific order. In a paragraph, the transition words sometimes tells us the order of the main points or maybe the importance of the main points.

What does a detail cover? 1. It gives information about a point in the paragraph (Lead Detail) 2. It tells how the detail is related to the rest of the paragraph (Follow-Up Detail).

What is a Lead-Off Sentence? The Lead-Off introduces a point to the readers. It is like the lead-off batter in a baseball game. Card 24

Follow-Up Sentence The Follow-Up Sentence follows the Lead-Off Detail. It gives the reader more information about the Lead-Off Detail.

Let us take a look at Lead-Off Details and Follow-Up Details Let us take a look at Lead-Off Details and Follow-Up Details. Look at Cue Card 27. Find the Lead-Off and Follow-Up Details. Cue card 27

Requirements for Details. Cue Card 28

What does logical sequence mean? This means that you cannot attach your boxcars to the train with anything, They must be attached in an order or sequence that will make sense to the reader. There are five kinds of sequences that you can use to hook together your details.

Size Sequence The first sequence is size sequence. This sequence is used when some of the main points or details are larger or smaller than the others. For example, I write about the animals in my backyard and the animals are different sizes, I can write about the smallest one first, then about the medium sized animal, and finally the largest. However, I could start with the largest, then the medium sized, and last the smallest animal. If you were using a size sequence, what order might you suggest for the animals?

Time Sequence Time sequence is used when details in the paragraph are events or activities that occur before or after each other.. For example, if you are writing a paragraph about how to make a fried egg, some steps must be completed before other steps can be started. Remember when you wrote a paragraph about how to make an ice cream sundae?

Time Sequence Give me the steps to fry an egg?

Space Sequence Space sequence is when details are arranged in space in a certain order. If you were to describe your room, you may describe it in the order in which they appear. You could describe them from right to left or left to right. What are some places you could describe in a paragraph using space sequence?

Importance Sequence The fourth sequence you can use in a paragraph to relate details or main points is importance sequence. You use this when certain details are more important than other details. Importance can go from most important to least important or least important to most important. You may use this when describing friends, classes at school, foods that you like, or your favorite sports.

Chain-Link Sequence A chain has separate links they are hooked together. They are loose and flexible, but they hook together in some way. It links separate details that are not related through the other four types. For example, you might be describing the advantages and disadvantages of going out for a basketball game. The advantages and disadvantages are not related to each other in size, time, space, or importance. Another example, you might describe examples of situations that upset you. You have several examples to describe, but they are not related to each other. A chain- link sequence is right for this.

Transition Chart: Review your transition charts Transition Chart: Review your transition charts. When you have a new detail, you must use a transition word.

Look at the transition chart, what do they all have in common?

Answer to Slide 23: They have commas after them. When you use these transitions, you must place a comma after them before you write the rest of the sentence. When I evaluate your paragraphs for including transitions, you will only get points for a transition is you have a comma after them. Consider the comma part of the transition.

Details – 4th Requirement Same Point of View Each detail sentence must be written in the same point of view as the other detail sentences. The point of view specifies the audience to whom you are speaking as a writer or about whom or what you are writing about in the paragraph.

Cue Card 31

Cue Card 32

First Person Point of View You, the write, are writing about yourself or a group of which you are a member.

When you write about yourself and/or the people in your group, this is called the ‘first person point of view.’ Think of yourself as #1. Cue card 31

Cue Card 32 - Examples of 1st Person Point of View

2nd Person Point of View You can be writing about or to the reader. Cur Card 31

When you talk directly to the readers of your paragraph, this is called the ‘second person point of view.’ 31

Cue Card 33 – Examples of 2nd Person Point of View

Third Person Point of View – This is the one you will use for most assignments. 31

Here you are writing about other groups of people, places, objects, or ideas besides yourself or the reader. You will be using words like ‘he’, ‘she’, ‘it’, ‘her’, ‘him’, ‘they’, ‘them’, ‘the house’, one idea’, and ‘Bill, Sue, and Bob.’ 31

Examples of Third Person Point of View Card 34

Point of View Chart Cue Card 35

Tell me the point of view. Card 36

5th Requirement – Each detail must be written in the same verb tense. Card 28

Verb Tense – Card 37

Verb Tense – Card 38

Verb Tense Examples – Card 39

PENS for Detail Sentences Cue Card 44