1. HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH

2. Paragraphs need 3 parts:
A beginning
A middle
An end

3. THINK OF A STOPLIGHT . . . an upside down stoplight

4. Topic Sentence
Supporting details
Conclusion

5. Topic Sentence

6. Topic Sentences The FIRST sentence in a paragraph
The Topic Sentence does 2 things:
It GRABS the reader’s attention
It introduces the topic
Here are 2 common ways to write a topic sentence
Give an opinion
Could Introduce a list

7. Supporting details

8. Supporting Details
SUPPORTING DETAILS give more information about the topic (from the TOPIC SENTENCE)
Just like the YELLOW LIGHT, the supporting details are the EXCITING part to a paragraph
Here are some examples of SUPPORTING DETAILS
Give reasons
Give details
Give facts
Give a list

9. Conclusion

10. Conclusion The CONCLUSION closes the paragraph
The CONCLUSION restates the topic sentence- you remind the reader of your topic and why it’s important
The CONCLUSION says “I’m DONE with the paragraph”
Remember, this is the last thing the audience will read- FINISH STRONG!

11. Now let’s write a paragraph
We have to start with a topic
Hmmmm let me think . . .
How about . . .

12. Dogs make great pets.
Here is a general statement that gives an OPINION:
“I think dogs are great pets.”

13. Now you need some details:
Give some reasons dogs are good pets.
This is called BRAINSTORMING!!!

14. Supporting details 1. They are smart, friendly, and loyal.
2. These animals also make good companions.
3. They can also be trained to do many things.

15. Now FINISH it! Write your CONCLUSION
Restate your topic sentence in a different way
Remind your reader of why dogs make great pets

16. To write a conclusion, rephrase your TOPIC SENTENCE
Dogs make great pets.
To write a conclusion, rephrase your TOPIC SENTENCE
Conclusion
Dogs really are the perfect pet.

17. Now put it all together:
Dogs make great pets.
They are smart, friendly, and loyal.
These animals also make good companions.
They can also be trained to do many things.
Dogs are really the perfect pet.

18. Let’s PRACTICE!
Here’s another topic
Let’s get excited!

19. Whether you like it or not,
you have to go to school.

20. Think of some DETAILS, REASONS, FACTS about why you have to go to school

21. 1 2 3 4 The law says that you must attend school until you are 16.
Most jobs require a high school diploma.
Colleges only admit high school graduates.
The military won’t take drop outs.

22. Now restate the topic (CONCLUSION)
Whether you like it or not,
you have to go to school.
REMIX
It seems that school is a necessity.

23. Now put it all together:
Whether you like it or not, you have to go to school.
The law says that you must attend school until you are 16.
Most jobs require a high school diploma.
Colleges only admit high school graduates.
The military won’t take drop outs.
It seems that school is a necessity.

24. Let’s try one more
Here’s another topic:

25. There are several steps in learning to snowboard.
First, you have to learn to balance on a board.
Next, you have to get used to going down slopes.
Last, you need to learn to turn and stop.
These are just a few of the beginning steps
in snowboarding.

26. You are now Zen masters of the paragraph.
Let’s write some on our own . . .