1. What is a Paragraph? A group of related sentences
Prove/show a point (main idea)
Topic sentence
As long as you prove your topic sentence
Can the reader S.E.E. your paragraph?

2. Topic Sentence Main idea of the paragraph
Placed beginning/middle/end of paragraph
4 qualities (SOLO)
Specific
One idea
Limited
Opinion

3. What Makes a Good Topic Sentence?
Playing basketball is both fun and dangerous.
Anthony enjoys watching many kinds of movies.
Listening to music relaxes me.
Sacramento is the state capital of California.

4. More Topic Sentences
Subject Topic
Poor highway design is a major reason for auto accidents
The fierce winter
weather is particularly harder on the poor and elderly.
Being laid off is bad

5. Topic Sentences
Write a topic sentence for one of the following subjects:
1. Watching television
2. Owning a car
3. The fear of crime
Now post it online.

6. Paragraph outlining: SEE Method
To outline a paragraph is to organize your thoughts about your main point (topic sentence)
Reader needs to S.E.E. it!
I. Topic sentence (main idea) --Statement
A. Sub main idea (supports main idea)--Example
1. detail } explanation
2. detail} explanation

7. Creating an outline
Theater audiences in horror movies can be divided into three groups (Statement)
The first group is the gigglers (Example)
Laugh out of fear} (Explanation)
Laugh out of nervousness}

8. Written Assignment
Write the paragraph from outline—turn it in as homework
Create outline (see handout)