HOW TO WRITE A PERFECT PARAGRAPH. STEP ONE 1. READ THE QUESTION 2. RESPOND TO THE QUESTION IN A COMPLETE SENTENCE, WHILE RESTATING THE QUESTION IN YOUR.
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Slide 1
HOW TO WRITE A PERFECT PARAGRAPH
Slide 2
STEP ONE 1. READ THE QUESTION 2. RESPOND TO THE QUESTION IN A
COMPLETE SENTENCE, WHILE RESTATING THE QUESTION IN YOUR ANSWER. EX:
WHAT IS YOUR NAME? MY NAME IS MRS. CRAIG
Slide 3
TOPIC SENTENCE The topic sentence is the first sentence of the
paragraph. The topic sentence restates the question and identifies
the main idea or topic of the paragraph.
Slide 4
SUPPORTING SENTENCES SENTENCES #2-4+ are the supporting
sentences. These sentences support the topic sentence and provide
evidence to support the topic sentence. They provide important
details. Supporting sentences often require direct evidence from a
text.
Slide 5
CONCLUDING SENTENCE (CLINCHER) The last sentence of a paragraph
wraps up the main idea from the paragraph and offers closure. The
last sentence oftentimes restates the topic sentence (using other
words)
Slide 6
Think of a cheeseburger
Slide 7
A Cheeseburger: The two buns of a burger hold together or
support the contents of the burgermuch like a topic sentence and
clincher The meat is the protein of the paragraph. The meat is the
essence of the burger. It further explains the main idea of your
paragraph. You cannot have a cheeseburger without the meat! The
fixings: tomato, lettuce, cheese, onion, ketchup, mustard,
picklesthese are the supporting details for the meat. A
cheeseburger is much tastier with more fixings!!! The top bun and
bottom bun look alike, but they are not exactly the same. A
paragraph is about ONE ideamuch like a cheeseburger is just one
cheeseburger.
Slide 8
LETS PRACTICE!
Slide 9
Please write a topic sentence for the following prompts.
Remember the topic sentence identifies the main idea/answer of the
paragraph and also restates the question. EXAMPLE: Q: Where do you
go to school? A: I attend Amundsen High School.
Slide 10
QUESTIONS 1. WHAT IS ONE GOAL YOU HAVE FOR FRESHMAN YEAR? 2.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KIND OF PIZZA? 3. WHERE DO YOU FEEL THE MOST
AT HOME? 4. IF YOU COULD ONLY EAT ONE THING FOR THE REST OF YOUR
LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE? 5. WHO IS THE NICEST PERSON YOU KNOW?
Slide 11
ANSWERS 1. ONE GOAL I HAVE FOR FRESHMAN YEAR IS TO GET A 3.0
GRADE POINT AVERAGE. 2. MY FAVORITE KIND OF PIZZA IS DEEP DISH,
STUFFED SPINACH. 3. I FEEL THE MOST AT HOME ON THE SOCCER FIELD. 4.
IF I COULD ONLY EAT ONE THING FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, IT WOULD BE
EGGO WAFFLES. 5. THE NICEST PERSON I KNOW IS MY MOM.
Slide 12
Question to Topic Sentence + Two Supporting Sentences Nowfor
each question, respond with a proper topic sentence, and add two
supporting sentences. EXAMPLE Q: If you could have any one over for
dinner tonight, who would it be? Why? A: If I could have anyone
over for dinner tonight it would be Michael Jordan. He is my hero.
I would enjoy talking to him about how he got to be the worlds
greatest basketball player.
Slide 13
QUESTIONS 1. IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE
AND WHY? 2. WHO DO YOU TRUST MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD?
WHY? 3. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE STAR? WHY? 4. IF YOU HAD $500 TO
SPEND RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT? WHY? 5. WHO MAKES YOU
LAUGH THE MOST? WHY?
Slide 14
ANSWERS 1. IF I COULD HAVE A SUPERPOWER, I WOULD BE INVISIBLE.
I WOULD LIKE TO BE INVISIBLE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SPY
ON PEOPLE. I WOULD ALSO ENJOY BEING INVISIBLE BECAUSE I COULD PLAY
PRACTICAL JOKES ON OTHERS. 2. I TRUST MY BEST FRIEND PEDRO MORE
THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD. I TRUST HIM BECAUSEANOTHER REASON I
TRUST HIM IS BECAUSE 3. MY FAVORITE MOVIE STAR IS JOHNNY DEPP. HE
IS A VERY TALENTED ACTOR WHO CAN PLAY MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF
ROLES. I ALSO ADMIRE HIM BECAUSE 4. IF I HAD $500 TO SPEND RIGHT
NOW, I WOULD BUY A NEW WARDROBE. I WOULD START WITH BUYING NEW
SHOES FOR WORK BECAUSE I NEED MORE COMFORTABLE SHOES WHILE STANDING
UP ALL DAY. THEN I WOULD BUY 5. MY BROTHER TOMMY MAKES ME LAUGH THE
MOST. HE IS ALWAYS TELLING HILARIOUS JOKES. HE ALSO IS VERY QUICK
WITH HIS ONE-LINERS THAT POKE INNOCENT FUN AT OTHERS.
Slide 15
ADD A CLINCHER (Concluding Sentence) Please write a wrap-up
sentence or clincher for the following paragraphs. If I could live
in any state, it would be Colorado. I find Colorado to be the most
beautiful state in the United States. I would love to be able to go
for long, beautiful hikes from my backdoor in the mild seasons. It
would also be wonderful if I had close access to ski resorts in the
winter. I know that I would be immensely happy if I was surrounded
by the wonders of nature on a daily basis.
______________________________________________
______________________________________________ _(add).
Slide 16
POSSIBLE ANSWERS I WOULD LOVE TO LIVE IN COLORADO. I WOULD BE
VERY HAPPY IF I COULD LIVE IN COLORADO. COLORADO IS THE PERFECT
STATE FOR ME.
Slide 17
ADD A CLINCHER Visit the Italian city of Verona on a summer
night and you might see something strange. The streets slowly fill
with thousands of well-dressed people holding candles. These people
will walk to an ancient Roman arena. Once inside, still holding
their candles, they will listen to opera singers perform onstage.
This might sound a little boring to some people, but even teenagers
find it to be an amazing experience.
______________________________________________ ___.
Slide 18
POSSIBLE ANSWERS VERONA IS AN EXCITING PLACE AT NIGHT.
INTERESTING THINGS HAPPEN AT NIGHT IN VERONA. SUMMER NIGHTS IN
VERONA OFFER EXCITEMENT.
Slide 19
ADD A CLINCHER Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player
of all time. Although, a summary of his basketball career and
influence on the game inevitably fails to do it justice, as a
phenomenal athlete with a unique combination of fundamental
soundness, grace, speed, power, artistry, improvisational ability
and an unquenchable competitive desire, Jordan single-handedly
redefined the NBA superstar. His accomplishments include : Rookie
of the Year; Five-time NBA MVP; Six-time NBA champion; Six-time NBA
Finals MVP; Ten-time All-NBA First Team; Nine time NBA
All-Defensive First Team; Defensive Player of the Year; 14-time NBA
All-Star; Three-time NBA All-Star MVP; 50th Anniversary All-Time
Team; Ten scoring titles -- an NBA record and seven consecutive
matching Wilt Chamberlain; Retired with the NBA's highest scoring
average of 30.1ppg.
___________________________________________________________ _.Wilt
Chamberlain
Slide 20
POSSIBLE ANSWERS Michael Jordan is clearly the greatest player
to ever live.
Slide 21
ORGANIZE A PARAGRAPH SEQUENTIAL ORDER Please place the
sentences in each question in sequential and logical order. Place
the appropriate letter on the blank lines provided.
Slide 22
PARAGRAPH #1 A. Will it be sleek and modern with little
decoration? B. Or will they be manmade like concrete and steel? C.
An architect has many choices to make when designing a building. D.
The answer to these questions affects the appearance of a
structure. E. Finally, how will the building be used? Topic
Sentence: _______ Detail #1: _______ Detail #2: ________ Detail #3:
________ Wrap-Up: _______
Slide 23
PARAGRAPH #2 A. If you dont listen to their stories, you cant
understand why they think the way they do. B. The other campers
listen. C. After campers relax and learn to play games together,
the talking begins. D. Another might tell of a classmate killed on
a bus by a suicide bomber. E. One camper might tell of gunshots
fired in his directions when he walked past an Israeli settlement
on the way to school. F. In the business of peace, listening is
very important. Topic Sentence: _______ Detail/Sentence #1: _______
Detail/Sentence #2: ________ Detail/Sentence #3: ________
Detail/Sentence #4: ________ Wrap-Up: _______
Slide 24
PARAGRAPH #3 A. Lastly, he wrote some of the most politically
charged lyrics during times of crisis in our society. B. It is
clear that Dylan is a talented musician and lyricist; one who gave
his gifts to the world over many decades. C. Bob Dylan is one of
the most talented musicians of all times. D. Another reason he is
so critically acclaimed is because of his talents not only with the
guitar but also with the harmonica and piano. E. He also has
received numerous awards over the years including Grammy, Golden
Globe and Academy Awards. F. He is a singer-songwriter, a poet, a
painter, a musician and more recently, a disc jockey. Topic
Sentence: _______ Detail/Sentence #1: _______ Detail/Sentence #2:
________ Detail/Sentence #3: ________ Detail/Sentence #4: ________
Wrap-Up: _______
Slide 25
PARAGRAPH #4 A. It is in conserving angular momentum as it
shrinks to a smaller diameter. B. Such a radio beam can account for
the observed radio-frequency pulsations. C. Such starts can arise
from the gravitational collapse of a supernovas core. D. If the
star emits a beam of radiation, the beam is swept around like the
beacon of a lighthouse. E. A pulsar is thought to be a rapidly
spinning neutron star. TS: _______ Detail #1: _______ Detail #2:
_______ Detail #3: _______ Clincher: _______
Slide 26
PARAGRAPH #5 A. So by high school, I was ripe for anything,
which turned out to be Decept. B. Id just started high school in
Mahattan. C. It was 1986, and I was 15 years old living with my mom
and sisters. D. My sisters went to different schools and were
different than me. E. I was more of a scrapper. F. They never got
pulled into gangs. TS: _______ Detail #1: _______ Detail #2:
_______ Detail #3: _______ Detail #4: _______ Clincher:
_______
Slide 27
PARAGRAPH #6 A. I was mostly thinking about myself. B. Like
Derek, I didnt have a clue Id be in for that kind of violence. C.
The Decepticon gang started in the early 1980s. D. He was an honor
student before he eventually got shot in the head and became
paralyzed. E. The male gang leader, Derek, became my boyfriend at
one point. TS: _______ Detail #1: _______ Detail #2: _______ Detail
#3: _______ Clincher: _______
Slide 28
PARAGRAPH #7 A. But it is evident that Amundsen has its
students best interests in mind. B. Another policy includes
sweeping tardy students in the hallway. C. Some students think
these policies are unfair. D. One policy requires students to wear
their IDs at all times. E. Amundsen High School implements policies
to ensure student success. F. A third policy encourages an
appropriate dress code. TS: _______ Detail #1: _______ Detail #2:
_________ Detail #3: ________ Detail #4: ________ Clincher:
_______
Slide 29
Practice!! (With a Partner) Now lets practice drafting entire
paragraphs. First, respond to the question in a complete paragraph
individually. Second, compare your response with your partners
response. Edit each others work if necessary. Share with the whole
class. Question: What is your favorite movie and why?
Slide 30
And More Practice Again, demonstrate your understanding of how
to draft a proper paragraph by responding to the following
question: (follow the same format as the previous slide) Question:
If you could travel to any place in the world right now, where
would you go and why?
Slide 31
ASSESSMENT Now you will be evaluated on your understanding of
paragraph construction. On a separate sheet of paper, respond to
the question below in a proper paragraph. You will be evaluated.
Question: If you could only save one item (not people or pets) from
your burning home, what would you save and why?
Slide 32
Group Work With a partner, edit the following paragraphs. Make
corrections. Add words where needed. Delete words or punctuation
where needed. Answers will be provided.
Slide 33
Paragraph #1 If I could save one item from my burning home it
would be. a necklace that my great-grandmother gave to my mom to
give to me. I would save my necklace because it means a lot to me.
Also, its really special because my great-grandmother died before I
was born. I would be devastated if the necklace burned in a
fire.
Slide 34
Corrections If I could save one item from my burning home it
would be. a necklace that my great-grandmother gave to my mom to
give to me. I would save my necklace because it means a lot to me.
Also, its really special because my great-grandmother died before I
was born. ***The third reason why I would save this neckace is
becauseI would be devastated if the necklace burned in a fire.
Slide 35
Paragraph #2 If I could save one thing from my house it would
be my cell phone. the reason why is because thats were I keep
important photos. And also I play games on my phone. When I am
bored, I use my phone. My cell phone is worth saving.
Slide 36
Corrections If I could save one thing from my house it would be
my cell phone. t (T) he reason why is (I would save my phone is
because) because thats were (where) I keep important photos. And
also (Another reason I would save my phone is because) I play games
on my phone. When I am bored, I use my phone. My cell phone is
worth saving.
Slide 37
Paragraph #3 If I could save one item from my burning home, I
would save my iPod. It is the biggest essential in my life. I cant
leave the house without it. Also, it has all of my personal stuff
on it. My iPod is my life in electronic form.
Slide 38
Corrections NONE!
Slide 39
Paragraph #4 If I could save one item from my burning house, is
my PS3. I would save it because it is important to me. Another
reason is that it was given to me by my favorite uncle. If I lost
my PS3, I feel like I would lose a part of my uncle. This is why I
would save my PS3.
Slide 40
Corrections If I could save one item from my burning house,
is(it would be) my PS3. I would save it because it is important to
me. Another reason is (Another reason I would save it is) that it
was given to me by my favorite uncle. If I lost my PS3, I feel like
I would lose a part of my uncle. (This is why) I would save my
PS3.
Slide 41
Paragraph #5 If I could save one thing from my burning home, it
would be my family photo. I could remember my family if I could
save my photo. I would also save a bracelet that my grandmother
gave me. She was very important to me. I miss her, and the bracelet
reminds me of her.
Slide 42
Corrections If I could save one thing from my burning home, it
would be my family photo. I could remember my family if I could
save my photo. I would also save a bracelet that my grandmother
gave me. She was very important to me. I miss her, and the bracelet
reminds me of her. (the question asks for ONE item to be saved).
Also, no clincher. Clincher: Saving my family photo would be very
important to me.