Writing an 8 Sentence Paragraph that Catches the Readers’ Attention Created by Professor Castleton

Begin with a topic sentence: After you have narrowed your topic,  State what the paragraph is about, that is, the topic, in a topic sentence.  Think of audience and use the topic sentence to create interest in the reader.  Be sure to indent!

Example: Many visitors to Morocco mistake the plastic bags on the ground for a national flower; others see them floating and think they are the national bird. is the topic of this paragraph. Garbage

Write several sub-topic sentences.  Each sentence should give additional, yet different, information about the topic.  Use adjectives, clauses, and action verbs to maintain interest.

Example: Many visitors to Morocco mistake all those plastic bags on the ground for the national flower; others see them floating in the breeze and think they are the national bird. Moroccans are in love with plastic bags. It used to be that they were primarily black. How strange it is that in a nation where the houses are so well kept, the country-side should resemble a dump.

Add detail to your sub-topics Many visitors to Morocco mistake all those plastic bags on the ground for the national flower; others see them floating in the breeze and think they are the national bird. Moroccans are in love with plastic bags. They use them for even the smallest purchases, even eggs purchased in ones and twos. It used to be that the bags were primarily black, effectively hiding whatever was inside. While this made them more noticeable on the ground, it also meant kids sent to pick them up could spot the bags easily. How strange it is that in a nation where the houses are so well kept, the country-side should resemble a dump. Morocco needs to both limit the use of plastic bags, and encourage its citizens to return to the use of goufas, reusable woven bags.

Your ending sentence:  Can restate the topic of the paragraph.  Maintain interest.  Inform the reader that the paragraph is finished.

Completed Paragraph: Many visitors to Morocco mistake all those plastic bags on the ground for the national flower; others see them floating in the breeze and think they are the national bird. Moroccans are in love with plastic bags. They use them for even the smallest purchases, even eggs purchased in ones and twos. It used to be that the bags were primarily black, effectively hiding whatever was inside. While this made them more noticeable on the ground, it also meant kids sent to pick them up could spot the bags easily. How strange it is that in a nation where the houses are so well kept, the country-side should resemble a dump. Morocco needs to both limit the use of plastic bags, and encourage its citizens to return to the use of goufas, reusable woven bags. It is time we chose a national flower and a national bird, so that the ubiquitous plastic bag doesn’t need to do double duty.

Let’s Review:  Write a relevant and interesting topic sentence.  Write three sub-topic sentences that are about different aspects of the topic.  Add a detail sentence to each sub-topic sentence.  Write a closing sentence that restates the topic. Now you are ready to write an incredible eight sentence paragraph!