Creating the Perfect PARAGRAPH TS/SS/CI FORMAT

WARNING: The powerpoint that follows provides you with a crutch, a system that can help you develop paragraphs when you are “stuck.” It should not necessarily be used by everyone and in all instances. This paragraph structure is best for expository (INFORMATIONAL) writing styles, not narrative or more creative ones.

The PERFECT PARAGRAPH follows a pattern referred to as TS/SS/CI. This paragraph is ALWAYS: 8 8 eight ocho 8 acht SENTENCES

The first sentence is called the Topic Sentence, or……

The topic sentence (TS) of a paragraph introduces the paragraph and tells the reader the main idea of the paragraph.

The second sentence in the paragraph (SS) is called a supporting sentence. The supporting sentence gives a detail about the main idea being expressed in the paragraph.

Reason #1 – Supporting sentence #2 Reason #1 – Supporting sentence #1 School is a great place. Reason #3 – Supporting sentence #3 Feeling – Could be your topic or closing sentence

Each paragraph will have 3 supporting sentences which will each be followed by a concrete illustration (CI). The concrete illustration gives details or examples about the supporting sentence in the paragraph. There will also be 3 concrete illustrations in a paragraph, 1 for each SS.

Adding Supporting Details Supporting sentence #1 Supporting sentence #2 School is a great place. Supporting sentence #3 Closing sentence

The FINAL sentence in a paragraph is called the closing sentence (CS) The FINAL sentence in a paragraph is called the closing sentence (CS). The CS restates the main idea of the paragraph and brings the topic to a close. CS!

Sentence #1: Topic Sentence TS Sentence #2: Supporting Sentence SS Sentence #3: Concrete Illustration CI Sentence #4: Supporting Sentence SS Sentence #5: Concrete Illustration CI Sentence #6: Supporting Sentence SS Sentence #7: Concrete Illustration CI Sentence #8: Closing Sentence CS

TS Topic Sentence states the main idea SS Supporting Sentence makes a point that supports the topic sentence CI Concrete Illustration gives an example of the point made in the SS or explains it further by telling how or why or adding more details or information – gives the reader a clear mental picture SS Supporting Sentence makes a second point that supports the topic sentence CI Concrete Illustration for the second SS SS Supporting Sentence makes a third point that supports the topic sentence CI Concrete Illustration for the third SS CS Conclusion discusses the main idea but is a different statement from the supporting sentence