BUILDING A GOOD PARAGRAPH OR: SAYING IT WITH STYLE!

FIRST WRITE A SIMPLE TOPIC SENTENCE  The topic sentence tells what the paragraph is going to be about.  EXAMPLE: I am proud of the fact that I made the Honor Roll this six weeks.

NEXT, EXPLAIN WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.  You should define terms that may be unfamiliar to your reader.  Pretend your reader knows absolutely nothing about what you are talking about.  EXAMPLE: The Honor Roll at my school is only for students who make all A’s and B’s. Not everyone makes it.

ELABORATE  Elaboration is simply more explanation. For example, you may tell about your efforts to make the Honor Roll. Use more than one sentence if necessary.  EXAMPLE: This six weeks, I had four A’s and three B’s. I had A’s in Math, Science, Computer, and PE. I made B’s in English, Reading, and Art.

MAKE YOUR POINT  You should tell why what you are talking about is important. You have defined terms, and elaborated. Now bring your point home.  EXAMPLE: I’m told that making the Honor Roll helps you get into a good college. Right now, though, I’m glad that my parents will be proud.

FINISH IT  Don’t just stop writing. Write a good strong closing sentence. It should be simple (one subject/one verb). You might wish to re-state your topic in a slightly different way.  EXAMPLE: Making the Honor Roll makes me very proud.

I am proud of the fact that I made the Honor Roll this six weeks. The Honor Roll at my school is only for students who make all A’s and B’s. Not everyone makes it. This six weeks, I had four A’s and three B’s. I had A’s in Math, Science, Computer, and PE. I made B’s in English, Reading, and Art. I’m told that making the Honor Roll helps you get into a good college. Right now, though, I’m glad that my parents will be proud. Making the Honor Roll makes me very proud.