1. All Nations Leadership Institute April 2010 Jan Paron

2. Paragraph Defined A paragraph states a point. The paragraph contains details about the point. Details explain and expand the point’s meaning.

3. Characteristics of a Paragraph  a well-focused topic sentence  unified, specific supporting details  transitional and concluding sentences

4. Overview of a Paragraph  Draws the paragraph to a close  Leads to the next paragraph  Identifies the content of the paragraph  Makes a point about the topic  Connects to the previous paragraph  Explain the topic sentence  Support the topic sentence with evidence

5. Well-Focused Topic Sentence Identifies the meaning of the paragraph Makes a point about the topic Connects to the previous paragraph

6. Supporting Details Explain the topic sentence Multiple support Unified

7. Transitional & Concluding Sentences Move the reader from one point in the paragraph to another Draw the paragraph to a close Lead to the next paragraph

8. TOPIC SENTENCE One of my favorite desserts is cake. SUPPORTING DETAILS Detail 1--First order support –Tell me more. I love all cakes. If you pushed me to tell you which cake is my favorite, I would say chocolate. Detail 2 -- Second order support---Because… When I think of chocolate, my mouth waters because of its savory taste and complex flavors. Detail 3 -- Third order support—So that… As far as I am concerned, the combination of taste and flavor sends me into euphoria. CONCLUDING AND TRANSITIONAL SENTENCES Certainly, chocolate cake ranks high on my list as a favorite dessert. While I am very fond of it, I place chocolate moose track ice cream in the top position. Perhaps, I have a bias towards chocolate desserts.

9. Citing Scripture Within Text: Psalm 27:14 (King James Version) states, "Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD." The source of one’s strength is our Lord and Savior. So be encouraged and strong. Wait with expectancy in your heart. “Wait for the LORD…” (Psalm 27:14, English Standard Version).

10. Common Errors in Grammar 1. Not capitalizing proper names All names of God, including the pronoun reference, Bible, Scripture and books of the Bible. (Do not capitalize biblical, biblically, scriptural or scripturally.) Body of Christ, Church (when referring to the body of Christians who make up Christ’s church)

11. Common Errors in Grammar Correct: Jesus, He is my Lord and Savior. (All are proper nouns. He refers to Jesus.) Jesus, He is the King of kings. (Do not capitalize kings. Only Jesus is the King.) If you’re not sure, look it up. Regent University has a good guide. You can find it at http://www.regent.edu/admin/mktsrv/editorial_style/b -c.cfm. http://www.regent.edu/admin/mktsrv/editorial_style/b -c.cfm

12. Common Errors in Grammar 2. Using all capital or bold letters to emphasize a word within text or a heading 3. Not capitalizing the first word in a sentence

13. Common Errors in Grammar 4. Ending without punctuation or placing it in the wrong spot. 5. Using an ellipsis with an incomplete thought.

14. Common Errors in Grammar 6. Using a dash to signify another thought 7. Using colons to introduce a quotation

15. Common Errors in Grammar 8. Missing commas in a series 9. Improper commas usage 10. Incorrect word choice between it’s, its, and its’ or their, there, and they’re

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