1. ParagraphingParagraphing Tom Souter

2. Paragraphs Paragraphs show a collection of ideas on one topic. Paragraphs are shown by either indenting or by leaving an extra space between paragraphs.

3. What is the topic of this paragraph? Find the sentence in this paragraph that doesn’t fit because it is not on topic. The man crept quietly up to the river bank to find the perfect fishing spot. He pulled the branches silently to the side and stepped onto the bank. He could see the slowly moving current and gentle places where fish might gather. Cautiously he wandered up to the river’s edge. He wondered what was for lunch. He got his fishing pole ready to toss in his line. He sensed that he had found the ideal spot to catch some great fish.

4. The topic of this paragraph is a man seeks to find the perfect fishing spot. The man crept quietly up to the river bank to find the perfect fishing spot. He pulled the branches silently to the side and stepped onto the bank. He could see the slowly moving current and gentle places where fish might gather. Cautiously he wandered up to the river’s edge. He wondered what was for lunch. He got his fishing pole ready to toss in his line. He sensed that he had found the ideal spot to catch some great fish.

5. Find the sentence in this paragraph that doesn’t fit because it is not on topic. The man crept quietly up to the river bank to find the perfect fishing spot. He pulled the branches silently to the side and stepped onto the bank. He could see the slowly moving current and gentle places where fish might gather. Cautiously he wandered up to the river’s edge. He wondered what was for lunch. He got his fishing pole ready to toss his line. He sensed that he had found the ideal spot to catch some great fish.

6. Paragraphs often have three parts. Topic sentence This is the main idea of the paragraph. Lets the reader know what is the big idea of the paragraph. Supporting details Gives details about the topic or main idea. Relate to the topic. Gives the reader more information about the topic. Concluding idea Wraps up the ideas of the topic. Gives the topic of the paragraph a sense of ending. May not be stated.

7. A complete paragraph is like a juicy hamburger. The top bun is the topic sentence. The supporting details gives flavor. The concluding idea completes the sandwich.

8. I enjoy boating on lazy afternoons. I love the warm sun and gentle sea breezes blowing against my face. The waves slapping against the side of the hull captivate me. The rocking of the boat pushes away my worries. Life is at its best when I am at sea. Find the topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding idea.

9. I enjoy boating on lazy afternoons. I love the warm sun and gentle sea breeze blowing against my face. The waves slapping against the side of the hull captivate me. The rocking of the boat pushes away my worries. Life is at its best when I am at sea. Topic sentence

10. I enjoy boating on lazy afternoons. I love the warm sun and gentle sea breeze blowing against my face. The waves slapping against the side of the hull captivate me. The rocking of the boat pushes away my worries. Life is at its best when I am at sea. Supporting details

11. I enjoy boating on lazy afternoons. I love the warm sun and gentle sea breeze blowing against my face. The waves slapping against the side of the hull captivate me. The rocking of the boat pushes away my worries. Life is at its best when I am at sea. Concluding idea

12. New paragraphs are formed to show changes. A change of time The next morning... A change of place He slowly climbed into the cave... A change of topic The next thing he knew, he realized how scared he was. A change of speaker “Can you offer some help?” asked Joe to his buddy Mike. “I will be right over,” explained Mike as he climbed down the rope.

13. For the paragraph below, identify the topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding sentence. Tell whether this paragraph shows a change of topic, time, place, or speaker. John left the house and walked outside in order to look once more at the completed project. He looked up into the branches and viewed with pride the tree house his dad and he had made. The ladder was in place, the sides painted, and the roof was securely in place. All he needed to do now was to haul up the sleeping bags so he and his dad could spend their first overnight.

14. Topic sentence John left the house and walked outside in order to look once more at the completed project. He looked up into the branches and viewed with pride the tree house his dad and he had made. The ladder was in place, the sides painted, and the roof was securely in place. All he needed to do now was to haul up the sleeping bags so he and his dad could spend their first overnight.

15. Supporting details John left the house and walked outside in order to look once more at the completed project. He looked up into the branches and viewed with pride the tree house his dad and he had made. The ladder was in place, the sides painted, and the roof was securely in place. All he needed to do now was to haul up the sleeping bags so he and his dad could spend their first overnight.

16. Concluding sentence John left the house and walked outside in order to look once more at the completed project. He looked up into the branches and viewed with pride the tree house his dad and he had made. The ladder was in place, the sides painted, and the roof was securely in place. All he needed to do now was to haul up the sleeping bags so he and his dad could spend their first overnight.

17. This paragraph shows both a change of place and a change of topic. John left the house and walked outside in order to look once more at the completed project. He looked up into the branches and viewed with pride the tree house his dad and he had made. The ladder was in place, the sides painted, and the roof was securely in place. All he needed to do now was to haul up the sleeping bags so he and his dad could spend their first overnight. Notice the indent

18. Many paragraphs follow the sequence of having a topic sentence, followed by the supporting details, and then having the concluding sentence. However, it is important to note that the three parts of a paragraph do not need to be in this exact order.

19. For the paragraph below, identify the topic sentence, supporting details, and concluding sentence. Tell whether this paragraph shows a change of topic, time, place, or speaker. It had been a long night and now morning had come. Jake woke up early knowing this was the day for the big camping trip. He had been looking forward to his first overnight in the woods with his family. He had packed all his camping treasures. He even put in some extra camping snacks for some late night munching. Even though he did not sleep soundly, the excitement of the trip energized him.

20. Topic Sentence It had been a long night and now morning had come. Jake woke up early knowing this was the day for the big camping trip. He had been looking forward to his first overnight in the woods with his family. He had packed all his camping treasures. He even put in some extra camping snacks for some late night munching. Even though he did not sleep soundly, the excitement of the trip energized him.

21. Supporting Details It had been a long night and now morning had come. Jake woke up early knowing this was the day for the big camping trip. He had been looking forward to his first overnight in the woods with his family. He had packed all his camping treasures. He even put in some extra camping snacks for some late night munching. Even though he did not sleep soundly, the excitement of the trip energized him.

22. Concluding Idea It had been a long night and now morning had come. Jake woke up early knowing this was the day for the big camping trip. He had been looking forward to his first overnight in the woods with his family. He had packed all his camping treasures. He even put in some extra camping snacks for some late night munching. Even though he did not sleep soundly, the excitement of the trip energized him.

23. The paragraph shows a change of time leading into the topic of the big camping trip. Also note that the first sentence is used to show a transition into the paragraph and is not the topic sentence. It had been a long night and now morning had come. Jake woke up early knowing this was the day for the big camping trip. He had been looking forward to his first overnight in the woods with his family. He had packed all his camping treasures. He even put in some extra camping snacks for some late night munching. Even though he did not sleep soundly, the excitement of the trip energized him.

24. This next set of paragraphs show how new paragraphs are used to show a change of speaker. “Let’s go play football,” said Mike to his friend Chad. “I would rather play soccer,” replied Chad. “We played soccer last time,” explained Mike. “Okay. Football it is,” Chad laughed.

25. Notice how indents are used to show a new person is talking. “Let’s go play football,” said Mike to his friend Chad. “I would rather play soccer,” replied Chad. “We played soccer last time,” explained Mike. “Okay. Football it is,” Chad laughed.

26. Review: There are three parts of a complete paragraph. Topic sentence This is the main idea of the paragraph. Lets the reader know what is the big idea of the paragraph. Supporting details Gives details about the topic or main idea. Relate to the topic. Gives the reader more information about the topic. Concluding idea Wraps up the ideas of the topic. Gives the topic of the paragraph a sense of ending. May not be stated.

27. Review of when to start a new paragraph? A new paragraph is started to show a change or combination of changes. –A change in time The next morning... –A change in place In the forest... –A change in topic Next, the boys worked on the tree house... –A change in speaker ”Look out!” screamed Tom. “The branch is falling,” warned Sue.