Perfect Paragraph Format Composing Body Paragraphs

6 Traits: Organization is the order, structure and presentation of a piece of writing Sentence: subject, verb, complete idea Paragraph: Topic sentence, details, transitions, closing sentence Essay: Intro, body, conclusion

A Look at the Big Picture Introduction Paragraph 3 sentences Body Paragraph #1 5 sentences(details!) Body Paragraph #2 5 sentences(details!) Body Paragraph #3 5 sentences(details!) Conclusion Paragraph 3 sentences

The Formula: Topic Sentence 3-5 Supporting sentences (DETAILS!) Concluding sentence

Topic Sentence My trip began with a fan boat ride in the Everglades.

3 Supporting sentences (details!) The fan boats are tall and light weight because they have to glide through water that is only a few feet deep. I was really nervous as I climbed aboard; it seemed certain that the boat would tip at the slightest movement! It didn’t though, and we zoomed through the Everglades, always on the look out for an alligator or manatee.

Concluding Sentence Now that I have done it once, I can’t wait to try a fan boat ride again.

Complete Body Paragraph My trip began with a fan boat ride in the Everglades. The fan boats are tall and light weight because they have to glide through water that is only a few feet deep. I was really nervous as I climbed aboard; it seemed certain that the boat would tip at the slightest movement! It didn’t though, and we zoomed through the Everglades, always on the look out for an alligator or manatee. Now that I have done it once, I can’t wait to try a fan boat ride again.

Where do I go from here? Continue with two more (three total) body paragraphs. As you write a topic sentence for your next paragraph, try to connect it to the one before. Example: I had so much fun on the fan boat, but it was nothing compared to wild rides at Disney World! This 2 nd body paragraph would then have details about Disney World.

A Look at the Big Picture Introduction Paragraph 3 sentences Body Paragraph #1 5 sentences(details!) Body Paragraph #2 5 sentences(details!) Body Paragraph #3 5 sentences(details!) Conclusion Paragraph 3 sentences