The Powerful Paragraph
• Ira Pincus – 2011
• TBAWP Demo
I would argue that the paragraph, not the sentence, is the
basic unit of writing – the place where coherence begins
and words stand a chance of becoming more than mere
work.
Stephen King
“On Writing”
WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?
Let’s Define “Paragraph”
(Use the post-it notes)
A distinct division of written or printed
matter that begins on a new, usually
indented line, consists of one or more
sentences, and typically deals with a single
thought or topic or quotes one speaker's
continuous words.
Can You Write a 55 Word Story in
One Paragraph?
These are short stories based on the rules for
55 Word Fiction established by Steve Moss,
Editor of the New York Times. He began the
55-Word Short Story Contest in a 1987 issue
of the New York Times; the contest has
grown and now accepts thousands of
entries a year from all over the world.
http://www.writing.com/main/forums/item_id/1253724The-Amazing-55-Word-Story-Contest
Why 55?
 55 words are not as scary as a whole blank
page.
 It is a palatable amount of writing
even for the most reluctant writer.
 Students enjoy the challenge of trying
to tell a story in 55 words.
Short
chunks of writing open the door for
discussion on and revision in sentence variety,
word choice, tone, leads, and endings.
Sample 55’s
After what seemed like hours of crying, she
finally stopped. She thought about all the special
people in her life that had helped shape her, make
her who she was, and had loved her
unconditionally. She wiped her eyes and got ready
to purchase cards for all those she held dear. Darn
those Hallmark commercials!
~ Lyndsey C. Grade 8
The tan grout was in globs. After tiling
all day, workers finally took a break. Though
babysitting, I went to my room while baby
brother was playing nicely. Later, I found
him on the tile: diaper off. I took him away.
The workers came back and quit within
minutes mumbling something about bad
jokes. Hmmm…
~ Gregory P. Grade 6
“Cookie?” She couldn’t believe it. Was it
possible this colleague knew about her other
profession? She’d always been careful to
conceal her other job knowing people would
judge her. They wouldn’t understand that she
needed the money. Did he recognize that she
was Cookie the Clown? Ahh, smelling the
oatmeal raisin beside her, she relaxed.
~ Nick A. Grade 7
Over International Waters
He had taken her over international waters.
Would escape be possible? Fright filled her. Her
eyes walked over the room, burning the
surroundings into her memory. Water began to
flow in the shower; she shuddered. “Oh God…” she
thought. Then, his voice, “Hey, why don’t you come
join me in here to start this honeymoon!”
~ Mari Uscategui
Dad just got home today. He had been in Spain
directing a movie. The minute we saw him walk
through the door, we burst with happiness. He told us
stories about Spain and how beautiful it was. But
when we went to see the movie, it took place in the
Big Apple, New York City!
~ Gabby Uscategui,
(Almost a 4th Grader)
It’s Your Turn!
• Take a few moments and try writing a 55word short story of your own.
• Do not worry about the word count until
you have your idea down.
• Revise your story as needed so that it meets
the requirements of having a beginning
middle and end and being 55 words long.
Five minutes to write enough?
Let’s Share!
Did you know?
According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the word pilcrow
"apparently" originated in English as an unattested version of the
French pelagraphe, a corruption of paragraph; the earliest
reference is circa 1440.
In form, the pilcrow is understood to have originated as a letter
C, for capitulum or "chapter" in Latin. This C was the paraph
symbol that replaced in the function of marking off paragraphs
the Greek-style paragraphos, and other symbols including the
section sign. Moreover, the paraph also could be marked with a
full-height sign similar to ¢ (cents) or with a double slash.
Psst – doesn’t this look like
a possible Jeff Beson in ten
years?
Too much hair, I know.
With your partner (or team), arrange the sentences in the order
that makes the most sense – packs the most punch.
Discuss the structure of the paragraph and what the author
most likely intended.
(Tone, Voice, etc.)
Discuss among the groups and compare the results. Which
group’s makes the most sense?
Reveal and analyze the original work. How many groups got it exactl
THE TELL-TALE
HEART
By Edgar Allen Poe
Now this is the point. You fancy me mad. Madmen know
nothing. But you should have seen me. You should have seen
how wisely I proceeded --with what caution --with what
foresight --with what dissimulation I went to work! I was never
kinder to the old man than during the whole week before I killed
him. And every night, about midnight, I turned the latch of his
door and opened it --oh so gently! And then, when I had made
an opening sufficient for my head, I put in a dark lantern, all
closed, closed, that no light shone out, and then I thrust in my
head. Oh, you would have laughed to see how cunningly I thrust
it in!
Groups should do the second passage now Ira,
I knew you’d hit the button too early. Stay here until
they’re done.
Big Boy
By David Sedaris
I flushed the toilet, and the big boy roused around. It shifted
position, but that was it. This thing wasn't going anywhere. I
thought briefly of leaving it behind for someone else to take care
of, but it was too late for that--before leaving the table, I'd
stupidly told everyone where I was going. "I'll be back in a
minute," I'd said. "I'm just going to run to the bathroom." My
whereabouts were public knowledge. I should have said I was
going to make a phone call. I'd planned to pee and maybe run a
little water over my face, but now I had this to deal with.
100 people surveyed, the top five answers are on the
board. Here’s the question:
What are the top ten most commonly used words
in the English Language?
Top Ten Most Commonly Used Words in
the English Language.
The
In
Of
Is
To
It
And
You
A
That
“The 100 Word
Challenge”
Can you write a 100 word
paragraph without repeating
any words?
Watch and Read the poem on the following
slide.
Then write a well developed paragraph without
repeating any words.
The only words you may repeat are the top five
words just discussed.
Please be persistent in perpetuating the powerful
points provided in the previous presentation, It was my
pleasure to purvey the “puzzling paragraph” package to
my peers. Pass the poignant piece to a partner or pal!
Thank you!
References and Research
World English (The one-stop resource for the English language and
more …)
http://www.world-english.org/english500.htm
On Writing, Stephen King, 2000.
The Tell-Tale Heart, Edgar Allen Poe, 1843.
Big Boy, David Sedaris, 1999.
http://www.esquire.com/features/this-way-out/sedaris-big-boy1199#ixzz1PIvkFKRm
The Amazing 55 Word Story Contest
http://www.writing.com/main/forums/item_id/1253724-TheAmazing-55-Word-Story-Contest