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.
Perhaps you didn’t know you have a Disney side. In this Disney Parks television commercial, you’ll find an older man who shows his Disney side by becoming a Disney character—but at an awkward moment!
Gals, which Disney princess are you most like? Guys, which Disney hero are you most like?
Okay, maybe you don’t have a Disney side, but you certainly are very much like any other number of fictional characters.
SHARON’S BLOG We want our students and our children to develop attitudes of gratefulness, to say thank you without being prompted, and to appreciate any worldly goods and advantages they have. Use these four Thanksgiving prompts to get them thinking about their blessings and how they can bless others.
Snow-softened landscape. Frozen lakes. Sledding. Hot chocolate. Blizzards. Ice-slick streets. Cancellations. Winter—it’s all in there. Here are a few prompts about winter that your students will enjoy, giving them a chance to write their opinions, a short story, a TV script, and more. Just right for your 5th – 12th graders.
Take a look at the recent Noah movie and others, whether religious movies or not, and compare them with the values and truths found in the Bible. Where are they similar? Where are they different? Write a compare-and-contrast movie review.
In a writing class, students can be frustrated with how to break down the assignment into smaller, achievable tasks. When they hear, “Write an essay,” they don’t know where to begin. Sometimes they start writing without a plan, and the resulting essay shows how scattered their thoughts were. And sometimes there are weepy tears. Use…
