Writing Paragraphs

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Writing Paragraphs
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What is a Paragraph?

• A paragraph is a group of sentences that tells
  about one subject or MAIN IDEA
• Each sentence in a paragraph must give
  information about the topic.
• When paragraphs are put together they become
• essays (introduction, body, conclusion)
• stories (beginning, middle, end)
• letters (introduction, body, conclusion)

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Reasons to Write a Paragraph

• 1. Describe something in detail
• 2. To inform your audience about a topic.
• 3. Explain how to do something.
• 4. Compare and contrast two things.
• 5. To persuade the reader to do something

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Parts of a Paragraph
Topic Sentence

• States the main idea of the paragraph. It tells
  the reader what the paragraph will be about.
• Sentences that are connected to the main idea.
• They include information or details the reader
  needs in order to understand the topic.
• Sentences should be ordered in the best possible
  order.
• Closing
• Sums up the paragraphs message. It reminds the
  readers of the topic.

Supporting Details
Closing Sentence
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The Topic Sentence (Top Bun)

• Very first sentence of your paragraph.
• Always needs to be indented.
• Tells what your paragraph is going to be about.

There are many reasons that I love to
teach. First of all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to teach.

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The First Detail (Lettuce)
There are many reasons that I love to
teach. First of all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to teach.

• Should not be the most important detail.
• Needs to follow directly after the topic
  sentence.
• Needs to be full of good lettucy details!

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The Second Detail (Tomato)
There are many reasons that I love to
teach. First of all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to teach.

• Still should not be the most important detail.
• Needs to follow directly after the lettuce
  sentence.
• Needs to be full of good juicy details!

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The Third Detail (Cheese)
There are many reasons that I love to
teach. First of all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to teach.

• Still not be the most important detail.
• Needs to start differently than other sentences.
• Needs to be full of good cheesy details!

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The Closing Sentence (Bottom Bun)

• Should look a lot like the topic sentence.
• Needs to summarize the topic.
• Needs to be an obvious end to the sentence.

There are many reasons that I love to
teach. First of all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to teach.

Click here to see a good paragraph on the web!
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Topic Sentence

• The ancient Egyptians believed in many
  different gods and goddesses and each one had
  their own role to play in maintaining peace and
  harmony across the land. Some gods and goddesses
  took part in creation. Other gods and goddesses
  brought the flood every year. Some offered
  protection, and some took care of people after
  they died. Egyptians had local gods who
  represented towns, and minor gods who represented
  plants or animals. The ancient Egyptians believed
  that it was important to recognize and worship
  these gods and goddesses so that life continued
  smoothly.

DETAILS
Closing Statement
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Think of a good topic sentence for this set of
details.

• Penguin Moms lay the eggs and afterwards leave to
  get food for 2months.
• Penguin dads incubate the egg until it hatches.
• They take turns caring for their chick and
  feeding in the sea.
• Once the egg hatches, The young stay sheltered in
  the pouch of the mother while the father brings
  food.

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Student Examples of Topic Sentences

• Mother and father penguins both take care of
  their young.
• Mother and father penguins play a very important
  role in raising their young.
• Penguin mom and dads are very good parents.
• Penguin parents are very protective of their
  young and I will show you how.

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Paragraph Details

• Topic Sentence
• Arizona has been thinking about extending the
  school year from May to June, but I think that
  they should not extend the school year.

What are some details you would expect to see in
this paragraph.
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Examples

• Some details in this paragraph might be about
• Why Arizona is extending the school year
• When they plan to extend the school year
• Reasons why it is a bad idea

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Think of a Closing Statement for this paragraph

• Egypt is most famous for their pyramids. There
  are over 100 pyramids in Egypt but that
  information is unknown to many people. The most
  popular and well known pyramids are the Pyramids
  of Giza. They are located in Cairo. Pyramids were
  tombs for pharaohs. To complete the pyramids,
  workers hauled and lifted millions of limestone
  blocks that weighed an average of 2 and 1/2 tons
  each. They didnt have iron tools or wheeled
  vehicles. The workers carried each stone by
  hand, pulled them on sleds, and lifted them up
  mud ramps to be placed on the slowly rising
  structure.

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Examples of Closing Statements

• Now we are glad that the Egyptians worked so hard
  so that we can admire the beauty.
• The pyramids have been standing in Egypt for a
  long time, and they still stand for people to
  see.
• You can see why the Egyptian would be proud of
  all this hard work.
• We hope that someday scientist will be bale to
  figure out how Egyptians built these ancient
  structures.

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Transitions

• Help your paragraphs flow together. They link
  ideas so that they relate to one another

in the same way similarly likewise while on the
other hand although however
as a result therefore finally in conclusion in
summary lastly in addition