A paragraph is all about one idea. In it, you teach something about that idea, explain it, or prove why it is the right one. One effective question to ask yourself is “What do I want my reader to know about this topic?”
A Note: When one student used this chart to write a paragraph about a type of shark, she saw that she needed a section in her paragraph to describe the shark’s appearance. So she added that between the main idea and the first statement.
A Filled-in Paragraph Chart This is the paragraph, all written out:
Cats are polite. They walk quietly through the house, minding their own business. They purr softly instead of barking their heads off. In fact, my cat Dixie never jumps at me with muddy paws. Instead, she rubs against my legs until I pick her up.
Notice how the main idea, “Cats are polite,” becomes the topic sentence.
Paragraphs in the body of your essay, not the intro or conclusion, need a topic sentence and two or three sentences to explain or prove your topic sentence. These sentences answer “Why?” or “Prove it!”
You can use examples, facts, logical statements, true stories, and so on. In the cat example, this student uses statements (walk quietly and purr softly) and one example from her own experience with Dixie.
If you are writing an essay, you’ll want to fill out one chart for each paragraph in the body of your essay. Most essays have at least three paragraphs in the body.
After you fill out one chart for each of your paragraphs, move the charts around to see which order you want to put your paragraphs in. When you have decided on the order, write an introduction, then your three paragraphs from your charts, and then a conclusion.
Now it’s your turn: Choose one of the following options.
Do you disagree with the paragraph about cats? Then fill in the chart and write a paragraph about dogs!
Choose an animal you love or can’t stand. Next, think of reasons why this animal would make a great pet (or a terrible one). Then fill out the chart. Finally, use the information you put on the chart to write your own paragraph.
SHARON’S BLOG Can a chart rescue poorly written paragraphs? Do your students have trouble coming up with ideas to put in their paragraphs? Are their paragraphs only one or two sentences long? Are they a jumbled mess of ideas? A paragraph is all about one idea. In it, your student will teach something about that…
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMPTS You know about Dr. Seuss, and you know about the Grinch. But do you know the story behind the story? When Ted (we know him as Dr. Seuss) was 53 years old, he was fed up with Christmas. He was tired of the noise, the constant activity, and the busy-ness, and he…
It’s easy to forget all the noise, confusion, and fear Mary and Joseph experienced. Read the Christmas accounts in the Bible. Which person do you identify with the most? Or which person do you wish you could have been?
MIDDLE SCHOOL PROMPTS Hot, sweaty, summer days are filled with things you can’t do other times of the year, things like going on a beach vacation, weeding and harvesting, canning, swimming outdoors, catching fireflies, going camping, spending time with friends, and so on. So perhaps it makes no logical sense that this prompt is really…
SHARON’S BLOG Problems with Point Orders? One of my students handed in an interesting essay on volcanic activity. She included lots of facts, dates, and anecdotes, but there was one big problem. There was no rhyme or reason for the order in which she put her facts. Each major or historic volcanic eruption was in…
When you’re really little, you make discoveries all the time, things that seem old or boring to you now. Read this quote and then write about a time when you discovered or learned something when you were younger.
