With paragraphs from Houghton Mifflin Text p

informational paragraph topic main idea A paragraph that gives factual information is called an informational paragraph. The writer’s purpose is to share information about a topic. An informational paragraph has a topic and a main idea. The topic is the subject of the paragraph. The main idea is what the writer wants to say about the topic.

The capybara is an unusual- looking animal. It has a large head with a blunt, square nose and jaw. Its front legs are slightly shorter than its hind legs, and its toes are webbed. The capybara has a thick body that is covered with rough hair and ends in a short tail. It grows up to four feet long and may weigh more than one hundred pounds, about the size of a small pig. If animals had beauty contests, the capybara probably wouldn’t win!

The top layer is usually waxy or tough, which helps keep water inside the leaf. The middle layer is where a leaf makes its food. The bottom layer contains tiny holes, which allow water vapor, oxygen, and other gases to go in and out of the leaf. Together these layers work to make the leaf strong and healthy.

The White House, where the President lives and works, is located in Washington, D.C. The city also has monuments to three American presidents- The Jefferson Memorial, the Washington Monument, and the Lincoln Memorial. Famous buildings there include the United States Capitol, the Supreme Court, and the museums of the Smithsonian Institution. You will need at least a week to see most of this city’s historic spots.

Supporting Sentences Facts sensory words Supporting Sentences usually follow the topic sentence. They contain details that explain the main idea. In informational writing, some details are facts, such as numbers. Facts can be proved true. Other details are sensory words that describe how things look, smell, feel, taste, and sound.

Roller coasters are built to scare you. Some are 400 feet high and 5,000 feet long. A coaster’s hair- raising speed can strike fear into a rider’s heart. A California coaster, for example, zips around at 100 miles per hour. Scariest of all are the steep drops. On some coasters, the fall can be 200 feet. That’s like dropping from a 10-story building! No wonder people scream!

The closing sentence wraps up the paragraph by repeating the main idea in different words or by adding one last comment.

Exercise is a healthful activity. For one thing, it helps your circulatory system. As you exercise, your heart beats faster, and your heart muscle becomes stronger. Exercise also helps prevent your arteries from becoming clogged with fat. Finally, exercise helps you sleep better, so you wake up feeling ready to go.

Sharp eyesight for spotting prey from the air Curved, pointed beak, more than two inches long; extremely powerful Featherless legs and talons for ease in grabbing fish out of water Strong talons for catching and holding onto prey