1. The Paragraph
A series of Paragraphs create an essay, but first begin practicing writing one paragraph.

2. Practice Making a point
Once you know the general and the limited subject you will be discussing you can create a topic/thesis statement that you will discuss further with supporting evidence in the paragraph or essay

3. Write a paragraph:
Write a paragraph with supporting details using one of the following topic sentences in the next slide. The details and examples you use in the paragraph can be drawn from your own experience, or they can be invented.  First, begin with at TOPIC SENCTRENCE. Second, create details that show in a specific way what the point or topic expresses.

4. Sample Topic Sentences for the paragraph assignment:
I could tell I was coming down with the flu.
The food at the cafeteria was terrible yesterday.
I had car problems recently.
When your money gets tight, there are several ways to economize.
Some people have dangerous driving habits.

5. Include transition words:
Transition words are used to organize and connect the specific evidence used in a paragraph or between paragraphs in an essay.  The details in your essay must come together and cohere, so that your reader will be able to move smoothly from on bit of supporting evidence to the next.  This section gives a list of words you can use to organize and connect supporting details by using transition words and other connecting words.

6. Transition words…
Time Order transition words:  next, first, second, third, then, after, finally, before, while, meanwhile, soon now, during.  
Visual Description transition words:  above, across, behind, below, center, close to, far away, front, middle, inside, outside, within.  
Illustration transition words: for example, for instance, specifically, as an illustration, once, such as.  
Conclusion transition words:  therefore, consequently, thus, then, as a result, in summary, to conclude, last of all, finally, in conclusion.