1. A paragraph is a group of sentences that talk about ONE main idea.
What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of sentences that talk about ONE main idea.

2. Three Parts to a Paragraph
1. Topic Sentence: Tells the main idea
2. Supporting sentences: Explains the topic sentence by giving more information
3. Concluding sentence: Signals the end and gives an important point to remember.

3. Topic Sentence Activity
From the pair of sentences, choose the best topic sentence:
There are many interesting shows on television.
Television emphasizes too much violence.
Answer: b

4. Choose the best Topic Sentence
Collecting stamps is a good activity for people of all ages.
Stamps for a collection can be found in the most unlikely places.
Answer: a

5. Choose the best Topic Sentence
Quebec city can be a fun place to visit.
There are many things to do in Quebec city during its annual Winter Carnival.
Answer: b

6. Supporting Sentence Assignment
Choose one of the following topics sentences and add 5 details, which would make an interesting paragraph.
Julie possesses all the qualities of a good friend.
My favorite activity is one which allows me to have fun while I learn new skills.
On my first day, I knew that I would be happy (or unhappy) in my new school.

7. Unity
refers to the details which should be included in your paragraph.

8. Sam is one of the best players on the baseball team.
Sam is a good athlete
Sam is very tall for his age
Sam likes to eat pizza, but he does not like spaghetti
Sam hit two home runs in the last game.
Baseball is one of the best games played professionally in North America.
When the pitcher throws a ball, Sam has a good eye and can determine where the ball will go in relation to the plate.
Sam can run to first base faster than anyone on the team.
Sam is a member of the safety patrol at school.
Baseball was invented by Abner Doubleplay in Cooperstown, New York.

9. Continued… Sam can pitch, hit and catch very well.
Sam is a very good player at first base or short stop.
Michelle is almost as good a player as Sam.
Sam likes the new glove his father bought him for his birthday.
Sam can read the pitcher very well and knows when he should attempt to steal a base.
One day when our team was losing, Sam hit a grand-slam home run, which allowed us to win the game.
Sam prefers baseball to hockey.

10. Paragraph Unity
Sam is one of the best players on the baseball team. Sam is a good athlete. Sam hit two home runs in the last game. When the pitcher throws a ball, Sam has a good eye and can determine where the ball will go in relation to the plate. Sam can run to first base faster than anyone on the team. Sam can pitch, hit and catch very well. Sam is a very good player at first base or short stop. Sam can read the pitcher very well and knows when he should attempt to steal a base.One day when our team was losing, Sam hit a grand-slam home run, which allowed us to win the game.

11. Coherence smooth movement from one idea to the next in a paragraph.
Two ways to achieve coherence:
Arrangement of ideas (order)
Logical connection between ideas (transitions)

12. 1. Arrangement of Ideas
When you build a house, you cannot put the roof on before the walls are built.
Same in a paragraph - you cannot skip around from one idea to the next without any flow of ideas. It could be confusing to your reader.

13. Arranging ideas in a paragraph
Chronological order: presenting ideas in the same order they happened in time.
Physical order: ideas are placed in order of space, like left to right.
Order of Importance: begin with the most important idea to the least important.
Order of climax: writer can build suspense leading to a climax.

14. Group activity – Logical Order
What type of order is it?

15. Logical Connection between Ideas
A train may have all the right cars which are put in the best order for pulling them. However, if the cars are not connected to each other, the train will not be able to move them.
We need to use transition words to connect the sentences.

16. See Handout - Chart
Transition signals

17. 3. Concluding sentence
Signals the end of the paragraph and gives an important point to remember / summary of the paragraph

18. The Writing Process

19. 4 Types of Paragraphs
Descriptive: presents a clear “picture” of a person, place, thing, or idea.
Persuasive: expresses an opinion and tries to convince the reader that the opinion is valid.
Sequence: describes how a process works, or how to do something in a particular order.
Informative: shares information about a topic in a way that captures and maintains the reader’s interest.

20. Using the Writing Process Four steps
Prewriting
Decide on a topic, brainstorm ideas (crazy list), and create an outline (handout).
Writing the first draft
Focus on the following 5 elements:
Double spaced
Unity
Coherence
Topic sentence
Concluding sentence

21. Using the Writing Process Con’t
Editing and revising
Correct errors using peer and self editing.
Writing the final copy
On computer with title page
(Steps 2 and 3 may be repeated as many times as necessary)

22. Test on Paragraph Notes
Study, study, study!!!

23. Make a Cheer-Yourself-Up List
Work with a partner or in a groups of three.
Make a list of Crazy things you could do to distract yourself from your troubles.
ALL members of the group should “brainstorm” ideas while one student writes then down.
Choose the top 5 ideas and present them to the class!

24. Get ready to write Graphic Organizer
Handout. To be completed for homework.
Oh and yes, it COUNTS!