1. OR Writing the No-Hassle Way
The 3.8 Paragraph OR
Writing the No-Hassle Way

2. Introduction: The 3.8 Paragraph is made up of 1 topic 3 points
8 sentences

3. Sentence 1: The topic sentence
The first sentence states the claim and three points you are going to make about the topic.
Example: West Virginia has the most well-known Civil War battle sites in the U.S., including Phillipi, Droop Mountain, and Romney.

4. Sentences 2 and 3: Discuss point 1
Sentences 2 and 3 develop the first point you wish to make with details, reasons, or examples.
Example: The battle of Phillipi, which occurred in May 1860 is considered the first land battle of the Civil War. The Confederate Army retreated so rapidly that this battle is often referred to as the “Phillipi Races.”

5. Sentences 4 and 5: Discuss point 2
Sentences 4 and 5 develop the second point with details, reasons, or examples.
Example: Droop Mountain was the site of West Virginia’s largest Civil War battle. The Confederates captured 580 prisoners there.

6. Sentences 6 and 7: Discuss point 3
Sentences 6 and 7 develop the third point with details, reasons, or examples.
Example: The little town of Romney was an important hub for the east-west railroad lines. The area changed hands 56 times during the course of the war because each side wanted control of the B&O Railroad.

7. Sentence 8: The conclusion (or clincher)
Sentence 8 concludes the paragraph by restating or summarizing the topic sentence.
Example: Phillpi, Droop Mountain, and Romney are only three of West Virginia’s many Civil War battle sites, but the most well-known.

8. Now, let’s put it all together:
West Virginia has the most well-known Civil War battle sites in the U.S., including Phillipi, Droop Mountain, and Romney. The battle of Phillipi, which occurred in May 1860, is considered the first land battle of the Civil War. The Confederate Army retreated so rapidly that this battle is often referred to as the “Phillipi Races.” Droop Mountain was the site of West Virginia’s largest Civil War battle. The Confederates captured 580 prisoners there. The little town of Romney was an important hub for the east-west railroad lines. The area changed hands 56 times during the course of the war because each side wanted control of the B&O Railroad. Phillpi, Droop Mountain, and Romney are only three of West Virginia’s many Civil War battle sites, but the most well-known.

9. Now, let’s recap the 3.8 formula:
Sentence 1--the topic sentence introduces the topic that contains three points
Sentences 2 & 3--develop point one
Sentences 4 & 5--develop point two
Sentences 6 & 7--develop point three
Sentence 8--the clincher--restates the topic sentence.

10. It’s quiz time... It’s time to get pencil and paper.
Write answers in your notebook

11. What do you remember about 3.8?
1. The 3.8 paragraph is one paragraph with
a. 3 sentences b. 8 sentences
c. 11 sentences
2. The 3.8 paragraph makes
a. 1 point b. 2 points c. 3 points
3. The first sentence:
a. develops one point b. is the topic sentence
c. is the concluding sentence
continued-->

12. Quiz continued: a. 2 and 3 b. 4 and 5 c. 6 and 7
4. The sentenced developing point one are:
a. 2 and 3 b. 4 and 5 c. 6 and 7
5. The sentences 6 and 7 develop:
a. Point 1 b. Point 2 c. Point 3
6. The eighth sentence:
a. develops point b. five examples or details
c. Rewords or summarizes the topic sentence

13. Time to write!
Use the article on coal that we worked on last week. Determine your topic.
You will then develop paragraphs opposing modern-day slavery.
Use what you have learned about the 3.8 paragraph structure to write about them.

14. Getting Started Instructions
1 Write a topic sentence for the first sentence of your paragraph. Introduce the subject or theme of the paragraph.
2 Write a concrete detail for the second sentence of your paragraph, or use a quote to illustrate the point of your topic sentence.
Sponsored Links
Instant Grammar Checker Correct All Grammar Errors And Enhance Your Writing. Try Now!
3 Comment on your opinion about the information you gave in the second sentence for the third sentence of your paragraph. Begin the third sentence with a phrase like "This shows..."
4 Comment on this information further for the fourth sentence of your paragraph. Add something more about your view of the topic.
5 Write another concrete detail for the fifth sentence of your paragraph. Begin the fifth sentence with a phrase like "In addition..." Save the more important detail for this position in the paragraph.
6 Comment on your opinion about the information you gave in the fifth sentence for the sixth sentence of your paragraph.
7 Comment on this information further for the seventh sentence of your paragraph. Save your most insightful comment on the topic for this position in the paragraph.
8 Summarize the information from the paragraph for the eighth and final sentence of your paragraph. Restate your view on the subject. Draw a conclusion about the topic.
Getting Started
Instructions
1 Write a topic sentence for the first sentence of your paragraph. Introduce the subject or theme of the paragraph.
2 Write a concrete detail for the second sentence of your paragraph, or use a quote to illustrate the point of your topic sentence.
Sponsored Links
Instant Grammar Checker Correct All Grammar Errors And Enhance Your Writing. Try Now!
3 Comment on your opinion about the information you gave in the second sentence for the third sentence of your paragraph. Begin the third sentence with a phrase like "This shows..."
4 Comment on this information further for the fourth sentence of your paragraph. Add something more about your view of the topic.
5 Write another concrete detail for the fifth sentence of your paragraph. Begin the fifth sentence with a phrase like "In addition..." Save the more important detail for this position in the paragraph.
6 Comment on your opinion about the information you gave in the fifth sentence for the sixth sentence of your paragraph.
7 Comment on this information further for the seventh sentence of your paragraph. Save your most insightful comment on the topic for this position in the paragraph.
8 Summarize the information from the paragraph for the eighth and final sentence of your paragraph. Restate your view on the subject. Draw a conclusion about the topic.