Sample Theme Paragraph:
The movie Drillbit Taylor teaches viewer that appearances cannot always be trusted. For one,
Drillbit pretends that he is interested in protecting the boys. For example, he agrees to be their
bodyguard and takes payment, but is only interested in getting more money and sells their valuables so
that he can get away to Canada. Also, when Filkins shows up in the principal’s office, he acts innocent
and states he was just trying to make Wade and TDog feel welcome at school. However, in reality, he
terrorizes the boys, and lies to the principal to avoid getting into trouble. Finally, Drillbit pretends that
he is a respectable teacher. In contrast, he is really homeless and lives on the streets, and does not have
an education. Overall, the movie teaches students that things are not always what they seem. On the
outside someone may pretend to be nice and honest, but he/she might be devious and deceitful.
Using the sample provided, create your own theme paragraph using “Kath and Mouse” or “Not Ever
Again” or “Thank You Ma’am”.
Use your notes about the stories to help you brainstorm about possible themes or lessons that the
author hopes to convey to teens through the stories. Select one story, and fill out the template
provided. Then create your rough copy to be edited by me before we go to the lab.
Step 1: The story I want to write about is
Step 2: The short story
about
(title) by
(subject or topic) and shows the reader that
(author) is
.
Pt 1:
Ex/Exp 1:
Pt 2:
Ex/Exp 2:
Pt 3:
Ex/Exp 3:
Concluding Statement:
NOW WRITE OUT THE ROUGH COPY. SKIP LINES!! WRITE NEATLY!!
Please submit this sheet with your good copy.
Paragraph Writing Checklist - Composition Check
❑ 1. Does your paragraph have a topic sentence?
❑ 2. Is each sentence related to the topic sentence?
❑ 3. Does each point have an example to help illustrate your ideas?
❑ 4. Is each example thoroughly and clearly explained to support your main idea?
❑ 5. Does your paragraph end with a concluding sentence?
❑ 6. Have you circled all the transitions you used to link your ideas?
Language Check
❑ 7. Does each sentence have a subject and a verb? (Look out for fragments!)
❑ 8. Did you include descriptive adjectives in your sentences?
❑ 9. Did you use different words instead of repeating the same word too often?
Editing Check
❑ 10. Did you read your paragraph at least twice before submitting it?
❑ 11. Did you check to make sure there are no contractions?
❑ 12. Did you check that there is no “I” or “me” or “my” pronouns used and no “you” either?
❑ 13. Does each word with an apostrophe need it? (think possession)
❑ 14. Are all punctuation marks in the right place?
❑ 15. Did you let another person read your paragraph?
Please submit this sheet with your good copy.