1. Paragraphs
Parts and Unity

2. 4 Main Pieces

3. 1. Topic Sentences Also called the main idea Can occur anywhere
Usually is the first sentence
Sometimes may be the last one
Narrative Paragraphs usually won’t have one

4. What is the topic sentence?
Although living with a disability can be difficult, many disabled people lead independent lives. Gemma is on of those people. Left legally blind and deaf at age nine from an operation to remove a brain tumor, Gemma had to learn to overcome her disabilities. With the help of a cane, a hearing aid, and a magnifying glass to help her read, Gemma is able to be self-sufficient. She lives in an apartment by herself. She has a job, and she attends classes to learn new computer skills.

5. 2. Supporting Sentences
Give specific details that explain or prove the main idea
May use:
Sensory Details
Facts
Examples

6. What are the supporting details?
Although living with a disability can be difficult, many disabled people lead independent lives. Gemma is on of those people. Left legally blind and deaf at age nine from an operation to remove a brain tumor, Gemma had to learn to overcome her disabilities. With the help of a cane, a hearing aid, and a magnifying glass to help her read, Gemma is able to be self-sufficient. She lives in an apartment by herself. She has a job, and she attends classes to learn new computer skills.

7. 3. Transitions
Words or phrases that connect ideas and make writing smooth
Helps create coherence by showing how related details are connected
Must be in two places
Between paragraphs
Inside paragraphs when switching between ideas

8. Let’s Add Transitions
Although living with a disability can be difficult, many disabled people lead independent lives. Gemma is on of those people. Left legally blind and deaf at age nine from an operation to remove a brain tumor, Gemma had to learn to overcome her disabilities. With the help of a cane, a hearing aid, and a magnifying glass to help her read, Gemma is able to be self-sufficient. She lives in an apartment by herself. She has a job, and she attends classes to learn new computer skills.

9. 4. Clincher Sentence Also known as a concluding sentence
Pulls together the preceding sentences by emphasizing the main idea
It reminds your reader of what the main idea was for that paragraph

10. What is the clincher sentence?
Although living with a disability can be difficult, many disabled people lead independent lives. Gemma is on of those people. Left legally blind and deaf at age nine from an operation to remove a brain tumor, Gemma had to learn to overcome her disabilities. With the help of a cane, a hearing aid, and a magnifying glass to help her read, Gemma is able to be self-sufficient. She lives in an apartment by herself. She has a job, and she attends classes to learn new computer skills.

11. Paragraph Unity

12. What is it?
Unity means that all sentences in the paragraph relate to the main idea
If it doesn’t support the main idea, it doesn’t belong in the paragraph!

13. Which Sentence Doesn’t Belong?
The disappearance of Amelia Earhart remains a mystery. Earhart, who was the first woman pilot to fly across the Atlantic, crashed into the Pacific while attempting to fly around the world. She was born in Archison, Kansas, in Some searchers believe that she survived the crash into the Pacific, because radio distress calls were received. An intensive search for the source of the signal was made. Searchers were not able to find her, however. Finally, the distress signals ceased. In spite of continued searches by airplane and ship, no clue about what became of Earhart has yet been found.