1. The Difference between a Paragraph and an Essay
A paragraph is a series of sentences about one main idea, or point.
See page 24 in textbook.

2. PARAGRAPHS
A paragraph typically starts with a point (often called the topic sentence).
The rest of the paragraph provides specific details to support and develop
the point.
See page 24 in textbook.

3. PARAGRAPHS Here is a paragraph written by a student named Carla.
Three Kinds of Bullies
There are three kinds of bullies in schools. First of all, there are the physical bullies. They are the bigger or meaner kids who try to hurt kids who are smaller or unsure of themselves. They'll push other kids off swings, trip them in the halls, or knock books out of their hands. They do their best to frighten kids and make them cry. Another kind of bully is the verbal bully. This kind tries to hurt with words rather than fists. Nursery-school kids may call each other "dummy" or "weirdo" or "fatty," and as kids get older, their words carry even more sting. "You are such a loser," those bullies will tell their victim, making sure there is a crowd nearby to hear. The worst kind of bully is the social bully. Social bullies realize that they can make themselves feel powerful by making others feel unwanted. Bullies choose their victims and then do all they can to isolate them. They roll their eyes and turn away in disgust if those people try to talk to them. They move away if a victim sits near them at lunch. Physical, verbal, and social bullies all have the same ugly goal: to hurt and humiliate others.
See page 24 in textbook.
Point: There are three kinds of bullies in schools.
Specific evidence: the many examples of physical bullies, verbal bullies, and social bullies
The next slide shows these answers.
What is the point of Carla’s paragraph?
What specific evidence does she offer to back up her point?

4. PARAGRAPHS Here is a paragraph written by a student named Carla.
Three Kinds of Bullies
There are three kinds of bullies in schools. First of all, there are the physical bullies. They are the bigger or meaner kids who try to hurt kids who are smaller or unsure of themselves. They'll push other kids off swings, trip them in the halls, or knock books out of their hands. They do their best to frighten kids and make them cry. Another kind of bully is the verbal bully. This kind tries to hurt with words rather than fists. Nursery-school kids may call each other "dummy" or "weirdo" or "fatty," and as kids get older, their words carry even more sting. "You are such a loser," those bullies will tell their victim, making sure there is a crowd nearby to hear. The worst kind of bully is the social bully. Social bullies realize that they can make themselves feel powerful by making others feel unwanted. Bullies choose their victims and then do all they can to isolate them. They roll their eyes and turn away in disgust if those people try to talk to them. They move away if a victim sits near them at lunch. Physical, verbal, and social bullies all have the same ugly goal: to hurt and humiliate others.
See page 24 in textbook.
What is the point of Carla’s paragraph?
There are three kinds of bullies in schools.
What specific evidence does she offer to back up her point?
Carla gives many examples to support the idea that there are physical, verbal, and social bullies. For example, she says that physical bullies push and trip other kids, they knock books out of their hands, and so forth.

5. PARAGRAPHS
An effective paragraph must not only make a point but also support it with specific evidence—reasons, examples, and other details.
See page 24 in textbook.

6. A paragraph is a series of sentences about one main idea or point.
ESSAYS
A paragraph is a series of sentences about one main idea or point.
An essay is a series of paragraphs about one main idea or point.
See page 25 in textbook.

7. ESSAYS
In an essay, the main idea or point is called the central point or thesis.
See page 25 in textbook.

8. • Gain the reader’s interest
THE PARTS OF AN ESSAY
Introductory Paragraph
A well-written introductory paragraph will:
• Gain the reader’s interest
• Present the thesis statement or central idea
See page 26 in textbook.

9. 2. Asking one or more questions
THE PARTS OF AN ESSAY
Introductory Paragraph: Four Common Methods
There are four common methods of introduction:
1. Telling a brief story
2. Asking one or more questions
3. Shifting to the opposite
4. Going from the broad to the narrow
See page 26 in textbook.

10. THE PARTS OF AN ESSAY 1. Telling a brief story
Introductory Paragraph: Four Common Methods
1. Telling a brief story
Example
Eric, a new boy at school, was shy and physically small. He quickly became a victim of bullies. Kids would wait after school, pull out his shirt, and punch and shove him around. He was called such names as "Mouse Boy" and "Jerk Boy." When he sat down during lunch hour, others would leave his table. In gym games he was never thrown the ball, as if he didn't exist. Then one day he came to school with a gun. When the police were called, he told them he just couldn't take it anymore. Bullying had hurt him badly, just as it hurts so many other students. Every member of a school community should be aware of bullying and the three hateful forms that it takes: physical, verbal, and social bullying.
See page 26 in textbook.

11. 2. Asking one or more questions
THE PARTS OF AN ESSAY
Introductory Paragraph: Four Common Methods
2. Asking one or more questions
Example
When you were a kid, were you ever pushed around by bigger children? Were you shoved aside in hallways or knocked out of your seat in classrooms? Were you ever called hurtful names like "fatso," "worm," "dogface," or "retard"? Or were you coldly ignored by other students? Did they turn their backs on you, pretending you didn't exist? If the answer to any of these questions is "yes," then you were a victim of one of three forms of bullying: physical, verbal, or social.
See page 26 in textbook.

12. 3. Shifting to the opposite
THE PARTS OF AN ESSAY
Introductory Paragraph: Four Common Methods
3. Shifting to the opposite
Example
For many children, school is a happy experience. They like their teachers, they see their friends on a daily basis, and they feel comfortable and welcome. But for the victims of bullies, school is a nightmare. Every day they must face someone bigger or meaner than they are and endure humiliation in a variety of forms—physical, verbal, and social.
See page 27 in textbook.

13. 4. Going from the broad to the narrow
THE PARTS OF AN ESSAY
Introductory Paragraph: Four Common Methods
4. Going from the broad to the narrow
Example
Many unpleasant parts of growing up seem unavoidable. Pimples happen, voices crack, and students worry all the time about their looks and their changing bodies. In time, the pimples disappear, the voices deepen, and the worries recede. But one all-too-common aspect of growing up, bullying, can have lasting negative results. Young people should not have to put up with bullying in any of its forms—physical, verbal, or social.
See page 27 in textbook.

14. Transition
Usually you can use a transition sentence between your hook and thesis.
This is usually a sentence to bridge the gap between the two pieces

15. A Road Map for Your Essay
The Thesis Statement
A Road Map for Your Essay
Introduction
ESSAY
Thesis Statement
Body Paragraph #1
Body Paragraph #2
Body Paragraph #3

16. Definition Thesis Statement A thesis statement is a complete sentence
that contains one main idea. This idea controls
the content of the entire essay. A thesis
statement that contains subpoints also helps a
reader know how the essay will be organized.
Look at the introductory paragraph below. See
if you can identify the thesis statement and
subpoints.

17. Definition Thesis Statement
When I was young, I always knew that I wanted to become a teacher someday. When I played, I would often gather my dolls together and pretend to teach them how to do math problems or how to read a book. As I grew older, my desire to become an ESL teacher became clearer as I did some volunteer teaching overseas and in the United States. As I look back on my reasons for becoming a teacher, there are three reasons that stand out. They are: my love for the English language, my innate interest in how people learn, and my desire to help other people .
Subpoints in the thesis or nearby help the reader know how the essay will be organized
The thesis statement contains the main idea that controls the content of the essay.

18. Key Features Thesis Statement
states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question.
is usually at the end of an introduction.
states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic, itself.
often lists subtopics.

19. Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Since the thesis statement is the main
statement for the entire essay, it should express
a complete thought and be a complete sentence.
The thesis statement is asserting an opinion or
idea, so it should not be a question. Look at the
examples below to see how they can be made
into thesis statements.

20. Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Key Features
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
The sport of cross-country running.
This is not a complete sentence.
The sport of cross-country running has allowed me
to get in better shape, eat healthy, and meet some interesting people.
Thesis Statement
This is a question, not a statement.
Why do I want to be a teacher?
Being a teacher is a great profession, because it allows me to work with students, other professionals, and be creative.
Thesis Statement

21. Key Features Location English readers like to know what an essay
will be about near the beginning of the essay
rather than at the end. This is why the thesis
statement is often found at the end of the
introductory paragraph.

22. Key Features Subtopics
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the state.
No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.
subtopic #2
The large influx of people to California has had major effects on the ability of the state to provide housing, electricity, and jobs for all residents.
subtopic #1
subtopic #3
This statement names three subtopics. Can you find all of the subtopics?

23. Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems.
Subtopics
Another Example
Inner-city public schools grapple with some serious problems.
No subtopics are named in this thesis statement.
subtopic #1
subtopic #2
Some of the most serious problems in today’s inner-city public schools are the overcrowded classrooms, the low percentage of trained teachers, and the lack of resources such as textbooks for students.
subtopic #3
This statement names three subtopics. Can you find all of the subtopics?

24. Key Features
Review
states the main idea of the essay in a complete sentence, not in a question.
is usually at the end of an introduction.
states an opinion or attitude on a topic. It doesn’t just state the topic, itself.
often lists subtopics.

25. Summary Work
Use the essay from WT on pages to create an introduction paragraph.
Clearly label with markers your hook and thesis statement.
You will write this below your notes, put a line across the page where your notes ended