English Language ArtsLevel 7 # 32Ms. Walker

Today’s Objectives

Writing – The Elements of a well written paragraph.Types of Paragraphs

Descriptive ParagraphThe Narrative ParagraphThe Persuasive ParagraphThe Expository Paragraph

What is a Paragraph?

  A paragraph is a piece of writing that consists of several sentences. It should always have complete and concise sentences. The paragraph itself should focus on one subject, theme, or central idea. 

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCuExRE6N-4&feature=share&list=PL8FF4DFAE99609D0D

Paragraph Writing Elements

The paragraph has three parts:1.A Topic sentence- motivates the reader to

want to read more.

2. Supporting Details- There should be a minimum of two supporting details that proves, backs up, or explains the topic sentence.

Paragraph Writing Elements

3. The Conclusion- sums up the main points or ideas and it usually completes the topic.

Paragraph Sandwich

Think of a paragraph as a sandwich. It has three parts.

Topic sentence

The meat

Concluding sentence

Bottom Bun

Supporting details

Top Bun

Topic SentenceThe topic sentence, or top bun of the paragraph, indicates the main idea of the paragraph.  This sentence contains a claim or assertion about the main point.  Think of this claim as an opinion or your point for writing the passage.

Topic Sentence Example

This sentence grabs the reader’s attention and makes them want to know more.

Topic Sentence

Remember , the topic sentence is the controlling idea of a paragraph.  It limits what you can say within a paragraph, so it is very important.  Readers look for them to be stated in the first sentence.

Supporting Details

Supporting sentences vary in type, but usually they offer evidence in the form of facts, details, specifics, or an anecdote to illustrate your point. 

Supporting Details

Your whole objective is to elaborate on your central idea of the paragraph contained in the topic sentence.  These supporting sentences appear in the middle or “meat” of the paragraph.

Supporting Details Examples

Detail 1

Supporting Details Examples

Detail 2

Supporting Details Examples

Detail 3

Supporting Details Examples

Detail 4

Supporting Details

The supporting details give more information about the main topic sentence – in this case they describe “different balloon types and how they are used.”

Concluding Sentence

Finally, the concluding sentence functions to bring some closure to your thoughts.  It can be a summary of your ideas, but at the very least it should echo the claim stated in the topic sentence in different wording. 

Concluding Sentence

Putting it all Together

Let’s see the whole paragraph. Remember the concluding sentence restates the main idea but uses different words to wrap up and close the paragraph.

Main topic with Supporting Details one and two

Balloons have many different uses. Rubber balloons can be filled with water and thrown at your friends for fun. Mylar balloons can be filled with helium to make them float. These types of balloons are used at birthday parties and other celebrations.

Supporting Details three and four

Balloons made of fabric can be filled with hot air for a recreational balloon ride. Finally, weather balloons are made of latex or neophrene and are used by weathermen to help predict the weather.

Conclusion

Different types of balloons can be used for different purposes including fun, recreation celebration and work.

Write a Paragraph

Look at the following sandwich graphic organizer and use it to organize a paragraph about flowers. Describe three different types of flowers and tell why you like each.

Name Date Class Period

BLT Essay Sandwich Directions: Use this bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwich graphic to write an essay containing 5 paragraphs.

Introduction

Body Paragraph #1

Body Paragraph #2

Body Paragraph #3

Conclusion

Copyright 2012 by Chad Manis, Teacher-Wri en Eduware/DailyTeachingTools.com

BLT Paragraph Sandwich

Print out the example BLT paragraph sandwich graphic organizer provided with this lesson. Note how the three details support the introductory sentence. Also note how the concluding sentence restates the introductory sentence.

Name Date Class Period BIT Paragraph Sandwich

Directions: Use this bacon, lettuce, and tomato graphic to write a paragraph containing 5-8 sentences

Topic Sentence

Supporting Detail #3

Supporting Detail #1

Supporting Detail #2

Concluding Sentence

I like roses, peonies and dahlias.

I like roses because they come in a variety of colors. In addition they are perfectly formed.

Peonies are pretty flowers with a delicate fragrance.

Black dahlias are hard to find, but many gardeners like them.

Roses, dahlias and peonies are my favorite flowers.

Write a Paragraph

Now think of three foods that you like and use the sandwich graph to put the information in a logical order. Remember: You must begin with a topic sentence. All details must support that topic.

One Topic!

For instance, If you decide to write about shoes, the entire paragraph must be about shoes. You cannot write about shoes and trains in the same paragraph.

Break

Types of Paragraphs

We will briefly discuss the four types of paragraphs and provide a definition of each. We will discuss these types individually in future lessons.

Types of Paragraphs

The Descriptive ParagraphThe Narrative ParagraphThe Persuasive ParagraphThe Expository Paragraph

Types of Paragraph Writing

Descriptive writing is the clear description of people, places, objects, or events. Details used are usually sensory and selected to describe what the writer sees, hears, smells, touches, and tastes.

The Descriptive Paragraph

Types of Paragraph Writing

The Narrative Paragraph

The narrative paragraph tells a story. The narrative explains who is in the story, tells what is happening, and when it happened.

Types of Paragraph Writing

The Persuasive Paragraph

In persuasive writing, a writer takes a position FOR or AGAINST an issue and writes to convince the reader to agree with their position on the issue. It attempts to provoke a reaction from the reader.

Types of Paragraph WritingThe Expository Paragraph

The expository paragraph explains how to do something. For instance, it explains a step-by-step process. Recipes or driving directions can be expository text. Some words used in an expository paragraph include first, secondly, then, after that and finally.

Break

Part 3 - The Idiom

Idioms are spoken phrases that cannot be found in the dictionary. An idiom is an expression that means something other than the literal meanings of its individual words.

Act One’s Age

When a person does something that a younger person would do, such as playing with dolls at age 15, he or she is told to “act your age.” Example usage: You’re angry like a child. Why don’t you act your age?

Lesson Review

In today’s lesson we discussed the elements of a paragraph, the four types of paragraphs and learned how to use a graphic organizer to write an effective paragraph.

Next Lesson

In our next lesson we will discuss in detail, the elements of a narrative paragraph. In addition, we will write our own narrative paragraph.