2015-2016
Paragraphing

Good writers know when to split their draft into
paragraphs.
 Paragraphs help readers organize what they
are reading, and avoid both confusion and boredom.
 When do you split into paragraphs?
When there is a change in
time or action
When there is a change in
perspective (like someone
different is talking or
thinking)
When you switch what
you are describing
Example of Changing Time
or Action

“For the rest of the night and the next day, I kept
thinking about what my dad had said… If [Coach]
Downs could make me a captain, why couldn’t he let
me start? And what did I have to lose? If he said no . . .
So what?
After Tuesday’s practice I walked down the long
hallway and knocked on Coach Down’s office door.”
- Gym Candy by Carl
Deuker
Example of Changing
Perspective

“’I’m sorry for what’s happened to you,’ said the
bigger policeman. “’Nobody deserves that kind of
trouble.’”
’Thank you,’ said Henry’s mother.’
‘That coffee sure does smell good,’ said the less
bigger policeman.
Henry’s mother nodded.”
- Trouble by Gary Schmidt
Example of Changing
Description

“I scurried across the lawn in my cutest pajamas.
I could have left my day clothes on, but this felt better.
I supposed it didn’t matter what I wore, but I felt pretty
in my little brown shorts and fitted white shirt.
It wasn’t hard anymore to scale the slats nailed
into the tree with only one hand. I’d developed that
skill as well.”
- The Selection by Kiera Cass
Sentence Structure

Good writers know that to keep a reader’s interest, they
have to vary their sentence structure.
 Two effective ways to do this are:
Short, simple sentences for
dramatic emphasis or
effect
Parenthetical asides (good
way to impress Mrs.
Sharp . . . And add
humor!)