Basic Paragraph Writing Tips

							                 Basic Paragraph Writing Tips

       Topic Sentence:
  The main topic of the paragraph is stated.


                             Writing a Topic Sentence
                 The place to state why you are writing this paragraph.
The topic sentence is an occasion / position statement.
Let us break it down to see what that means.


   •   Occasion = Reason for writing
   •   Position = What you plan to prove or explain

                  Examples of great words to start your topic sentence with:


                        After               Even if           Until
                      Although            Even though         When
                          As                   If            Whenever
                        As if             In order to         Where
                      As long as         In order that       Wherever
                      As soon as             Since           Whether
                       Because              So that           While
                       Before               Though
                        Even                 Unless

Example of a Topic Sentence:
(Bold is the occasion part of sentence, Italic is the position part of sentence.)

Unless you are willing to take risks, you may not reach your goals.

After I tried out for band, I learned that there were several things that I
had to do for a good performance.
          Reason/Detail/Fact:
     Give the reader a main reason, detail or fact that relates to and supports the topic
     sentence.

 •   Use transitions (First of all..., Secondly.., Another.., The reason I think this..) to
     start these sentences.


             Writing a Reason / Detail Sentence
The place to give the reader a main reason, detail or fact that relates to
                    and supports the topic sentence.



                   Examples of great TRANSITION words to start your reason / detail
                   sentence. Help the reader flow into and understand the main idea.


      One way                     A good way                  One
      Another way                 A better way                Another
      First                       The best way                First of all
      Another                     Another                     Second
      Next                        Finally                     Last to be considered
      First - Second - Third      One other                   First of all
      The first - The second      Along with                  Next
      One example                 In addition                 The final
      Another example             Equally important           Another way that
      That night                  When spring came            In addition to

Example of a Reason / Detail Sentence in YELLOW:

After I tried out for band, I learned that there were several things that I had
to do for a good performance. The first reason I like the band is that it has given
me the chance to play on my drums.
        Explain:
   Give an example for the statement made in the reason/detail/fact sentence.


                   Writing the Explain / Example Sentence
        The place to give an example or explain about the statement made in the
                              reason/detail/fact sentence.

                      The E's are what you use to support your reason
                      sentence.The E's back up your reasons, details, or facts
                      and make it fun to read your writing.

                                 Examples                    Expert opinions
                                Explanations                  Everyday life
                                 Evidence                 Effective illustrations
                                  Events                       Elaboration
                                Experiences



 Example of an Explain / Example Sentences in Red:

 After I tried out for band, I learned that there were several things that I
 had to do for a good performance. The first reason I like the band is that it has
 given me the chance to play on my drums. Practicing on my drums allows me to
 be a better performer. Becoming a better player makes it easier for me to
 be in front of people on stage.


        Concluding Sentence:
   The topic is restated to remind the reader what the paragraph was about.


    Writing the Conclusion / Concluding Sentence
    The place to restate and remind the reader about what the
               paragraph or composition was about.
Go back and read your topic sentence. Identify the key words and ideas that you have written in
   the sentence. Use synonyms (words that mean the same thing) to restate you topic sentence.

                           Words to help start your conclusion sentence:

                           All in all          Definitely           Obviously
                           Certainly          In conclusion          Surely
                            Clearly              In fact            To sum up
                             Truly


       This is your last chance to convince your readers about your point of view.
Example of an Conclusion / Concluding Sentences in Neon Green:

After I tried out for band, I learned that there were several things that I had to do for a
good performance. The first reason, I like the band is that it has given me the chance
to play on my drums. Practicing on my drums allows me to be a better performer.
Becoming a better player makes it easier for me to be in front of people on stage.
Clearly, what I have experienced by being in band has helped me to grow and be a
better musician.

                                     Things to think about:
          The topic is restated to remind the reader what the composition was about.
             Think about what idea or feeling you want to leave your reader with.

                                    You want to avoid:
                                  Introducing a new topic
                 Phrases such as: as I have said, as I proved, as you can see