Writing: Paragraphs English 9

The Basics Topic Sentence: ~In general, the topic sentence should be your FIRST sentence. ~It is the introduction to the topic you will talk about in that paragraph. ~It should not contain too many details: that is what your supporting sentences are for.

The Basics Supporting Sentences ~Your support sentences do just that—support and explain your topic sentence. ~add detail ~provide evidence or proof of your argument Concluding sentence ~Your concluding sentence is similar to your topic sentence, and it wraps-up and summarizes the point you are making in that paragraph.

Paragraphs = Hamburgers Top bun: Topic sentence Meat & condiments: details (make it flavorful) Bottom bun: Concluding sentence

IMPORTANT Academic writing is very logical. It follows a very easy and specific formula. Every paragraph should follow the same format. MAKE SURE EACH SENTENCE WITHIN YOUR PARAGRAPH RELATES BACK TO THE TOPIC SENTENCE!!

3 IMPORTANT Words to Remember… Assertion Evidence Commentary

Assertion Statement of opinion, interpretation, or judgment that supports the thesis Your assertion will be your topic sentence. Example: Mrs. Nicholson’s ninth grade students are the best students at Washington High School.

Evidence Statistics, examples, paraphrased information, facts, details, and/or direct quotes that provide specific support for the assertion. Example: Each student comes to class every day with a smile on his or her face. Students actively participate in class each day, and no one comes to class without having done his or her homework. A report in Fake News Journal even noted that “students came to Mrs. Nicholson’s class with an eagerness to learn” (Fake 22).

Commentary Explain and/or interpret evidence. Make the connection between evidence and assertion and/or thesis statement. Use your own words. This is the most important part of the paragraph! It demonstrates your critical thinking.

Commentary Example While it is important that students attend class, unless they are willing to participate in the learning experience there is not much the teacher can do. It is the eagerness of Mrs. Nicholson’s students that sets them apart from other students within the school. For these reasons, it is evident that Mrs. Nicholson has the best students at WHS.

Final Example Mrs. Nicholson’s ninth grade students are the best students at Washington High School. Each student comes to class every day with a smile on his or her face. Students actively participate in class each day, and no one comes to class without having done his or her homework. A report in Fake News Journal even noted that “students came to Mrs. Nicholson’s class with an eagerness to learn” (Fake 22). While it is important that students attend class, unless they are willing to participate in the learning experience there is not much the teacher can do. It is the eagerness of Mrs. Nicholson’s students that sets them apart from other students within the school. For these reasons, it is evident that Mrs. Nicholson has the best students at WHS.

In-text Citations: All You Need to Know (For Now) When you are quoting a text (article, story, novel, etc.) you need to include a citation for the source you are using. Your quotation should begin with…QUOTATION MARKS  You need to introduce the quotation. You can’t just throw in a quotation. Finish with a citation.

Citations Either 1) state the author’s name in your introduction to the quotation, or 2) include the author’s last name in the citation. For example: Willa considered the change in town after the mines closed realizing “the silence was so strong it sometimes hurt her ears” (Laskas 47).

Practice Makes Perfect Using what you know about paragraphs, write one paragraph (at least 5-7 sentences) about the following topic. Prompt: What one adjective best describes Willa Lowell?