1. Organizing Supporting Details in Paragraphs Time4Writing provides these teachers materials to teachers and parents at no cost. More presentations, handouts, interactive online exercises, and video lessons are freely available at Time4Writing.com. Consider linking to these resources from your school, teacher, or homeschool educational site. The rules: These materials must maintain the visibility of the Time4Writing trademark and copyright information. They can be copied and used for educational purposes. They are not for resale. Want to give us feedback? We'd like to hear your views: info@time4writing.com Copyright 2012 www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources Copyright 2012

2. Once you have written your catchy topic sentence, its time to add some supporting details to it. Supporting details can include  descriptions  facts  examples Copyright 2012 www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources Copyright 2012

3. Supporting details are sentences that back up what the topic sentence is saying. A good paragraph may contain three supporting details each detail may be followed up with a comment to further elaborate on your detail. The more advanced your paragraph writing becomes, the more extras you can add. Copyright 2012 www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources Copyright 2012

4. Helpful Words for Ordering your supporting details Supporting sentences should all begin differently — using a variety of vocabulary to specify word order. This is called sentence variety. All paragraphs should contain at least three supporting detail sentences -- they can (but don't have to) start with (especially at more advanced levels) : 1. first, initially, in the beginning2. second, next, then3. last, finally, in the end Copyright 2012 www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources Copyright 2012

5. Example Topic Sentence: " My hometown is known for several amazing and natural features. " Supporting Details: " First, Fort Lauderdale is noted for its beautiful beaches. Just west of town is the Florida Everglades, a unique national park. The third stunning feature is the natural coral reef located just off the coast." Copyright 2012 www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources Copyright 2012

6. Ingredients Even though not all 3 of the supporting details were numbered, all the necessary ingredients were there: examples were about the three places in Fort Lauderdale o beaches, the Everglades, and coral reefs facts were about their location in Fort Lauderdale o west and off the coast descriptions were about each location: o beautiful and unique Copyright 2012 www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources Copyright 2012

7. Staying on Topic The supporting detail sentences should all refer back to the topic sentence. They should not contain any extra, unnecessary information. Summarize the supporting detail sentences with a conclusion like, " These three landmarks are magnificent and make my hometown a famous place." Keep your writing organized so your readers don't get confused! Copyright 2012 www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources Copyright 2012

8. More free PARAGRAPH WRITING resources: topic sentences concluding sentences unity & coherence types (narrative, descriptive, expository) Eight-week PARAGRAPH WRITING courses: elementary school middle school high school The end. Copyright 2012 www.time4writing.com/free-writing-resources Copyright 2012