Literacy Focus
How and why do we use
paragraphs?
Why do we use paragraphs?
Paragraphs are an important part of
structuring any essay, story or
extended piece of writing.
Using paragraphs means you can:
• build and develop ideas
throughout your writing
• Keep your writing clear and easier
to understand/read
For example…
You should start a new paragraph in
your writing if:
• You change the subject you are
writing about
• A new person is speaking, in your
writing
So…
We all love different things in life. Some
people love food, some people love money and
some people love power. “I think I love food
the most,” said Suzanne. Her favourite food
was chocolate. “I would have to disagree, you
can’t get anywhere without money,” said
Phillip. He was always obsessed with cash.
Then there are the things we all hate. Some
people hate spiders, some people hate
getting up early, and some people even hate
love!
becomes…
We all love different things in life. Some people
love food, some people love money and some people
love power.
“I think I love food the most,” said Suzanne.
Her favourite food was chocolate.
“I would have to disagree, you can’t get
anywhere without money,” said Phillip. He was
always obsessed with cash.
Then there are the things we all hate. Some
people hate spiders, some people hate getting up
early, and some people even hate love!
a new person is
the subject has
speaking
a different person been changed
is speaking
Things to remember…
Paragraphs often include:
• A Topic Sentence (A sentence explaining what
subject the paragraph is going to be about)
• A Connective (to help the you build on a point in
your writing, like ‘however’, ‘although’ or
‘similarly’
• A Summary (a shortened version of the main
purpose of the paragraph)
So…
I think honest people always make the best
friends. You know you can trust them, and
they will never lie to you. In addition to this,
you can rely on an honest person to tell it like
it really is, if you’re doing something wrong.
Therefore, an honest friend makes you a
better person as well as keeping you company!
This is the Topic
Sentence
‘In addition to
this’ is the
connective.
The last
sentence is the
summary.
Have a go…
How would you structure this piece of writing into
paragraphs?
Can you identify the Topic Sentences, connectives and
summaries?
It’s far too cold in this country. Sometimes I have to
wear two pairs of gloves when I go outside, just to stop
my fingers from freezing! Although last year I remember
it being so hot that I drank 5 bottles of water in one day!
Usually, it feels like winter all year-long! “You’ll catch a
cold!,” my Mum always shouts when she sees me out in the
garden. I often have to go out there to get the cat away
from the goldfish pond. “I’ll be in in a minute!,” I always
shout back. I’m not sure what’s more important, saving the
cat or keeping myself warm!
Have a go…
It’s far too cold in this country. Sometimes I have to
wear two pairs of gloves when I go outside, just to stop
my fingers from freezing! Although last year I remember
it being so hot that I drank 5 bottles of water in one day!
Usually, it feels like winter all year-long!
“You’ll catch a cold!,” my Mum always shouts when
she sees me out in the garden. I often have to go out
there to get the cat away from the goldfish pond.
“I’ll be in in a minute!,” I always shout back. I’m not
sure what’s more important, saving the cat or keeping
myself warm!
The last
sentence is the
summary.
A new person is
This is the Topic
‘Although’
is the
speaking.
Sentence
connective.
Another new person is
speaking.