1. Writing a Strong Paragraph

2. First Requirement A complete topic sentence. It should address what the paragraph is about. For PAP/AP writing it should state your opinion on the topic

3. Step 1: Topic Sentence My thesis statement from the first paragraph is: Luna Middle school could improve school spirit by having a spirit t-shirt day, creating posters, and recognition for positive student work. First Paragraph should be about: Having a designated t-shirt spirit day improving school spirit at Luna Middle School.

4. Each paragraph should address the thesis statement. If you begin with t-shirt day then you should first address t-shirt day. The other parts of your thesis statement will be addressed in the following paragraphs.

5. Remember- one topic per paragraph! It is very confusing for the reader if you bounce around from idea to idea in the same paragraph. Example: Well, I think we should have a specific t-shirt spirit day every week. Just pick a day and make it the same. Oh and also I think we should make buttons to wear on that day. Yeah, really frilly, big buttons that have lights and everything. And we could add shorts on that day. One day a week we could wear shorts, and we could call it spirit short day and everyone would be crazy happy.

6. So remember the first sentence is your topic sentence and since we are addressing spirit shirts let’s make a topic sentence or our paragraph: Topic sentence: Wearing spirit shirts raises morale and makes people more spirited and excited.

7. Step 2: Identify my opinion The next sentence in your first paragraph should identify your opinion Topic Sentence: Wearing spirit shirts raises morale and makes people more spirited and excited. Identify Opinion sentence: Luna students can increase school spirit if they all come together one day a week and flood the school with orange and blue. Clearly this is an opinion sentence.

8. Reader needs to know that you have done some research and can back up your opinion with facts. Topic Sentence:Wearing spirit shirts raises morale and makes people more spirited and excited. Identify opinion sentence: Luna students can increase school spirit if they all come together one day a week and flood the school with orange and blue. Example: factual support sentence(s): Mrs. Cotham stated, “that when she wants to promote her DC Bound trip they wear their DC Bound t-shirts to school. Everyone asks why they are wearing them and we tell them about the trip.” Step 3: Factual Support Sentence(s)

9. Wearing spirit shirts raises morale and makes people more spirited and excited. Luna students can increase school spirit if they all come together one day a week and flood the school with orange and blue. Mrs. Cotham stated, “that when she wants to promote her DC Bound trip they wear their DC Bound t-shirts to school. Everyone asks why they are wearing them and we tell them about the trip.” Read the paragraph now:

10. Is this a good paragraph? It is a start but to make a strong argument you need to support your topic with additional opinion sentences and factual support sentences. Wearing spirit shirts raises morale and makes people more spirited and excited. Luna students can increase school spirit if they all come together one day a week and flood the school with orange and blue. Mrs. Cotham stated, “that when she wants to promote her DC Bound trip they wear their DC Bound t-shirts to school. Everyone asks why they are wearing them and we tell them about the trip.” Just wearing t-shirt any day of the week doesn’t create the feeling of group or school spirit, we need to represent together. When the five time NBA championship San Antonio Spurs are in the playoffs, sponsors will provide the crowd with spirit shirts for that nights game. The idea is to create a huge display of black and silver in the crowd and bring up the spirit.

11. Is there a limit to the amount of opinion/factual support sentences? Not really but like the old adage “don’t beat a dead horse” make your argument and move on. A good rule of thumb is at least two but no more than three. The AP essay readers have to read thousands of essays a day when they are grading them. They want to know if you have made your point and can your support it with evidence. Once you have done that you are good. Being too wordy can often turn the reader away.

12. Body Paragraphs 2 and 3 Since your thesis statement is: Luna Middle school could improve school spirit by having a spirit t-shirt day, creating posters, and recognition for positive student work. Body paragraph two should be about: creating posters! Body paragraph three should be about: recognizing positive student work!

13. Finally Product When you have written a thesis statement, (usually) three well structured and well composed body paragraphs, all you need to do is add a conclusion and you have an PAP/AP style essay.

14. The conclusion paragraph Restate your main idea in a new way: Luna Middle School could really benefit from improved school spirit. Readdress your main points: By creating specific t-shirt wearing spirit days, creating motivating posters, and rewarding positive people Luna could be amazing. Close with something to think about or reflect on: Luna pride never dies!