SAMPLE SECOND PARAGRAPH (BODY PARAGRAPH #1)
To improve myself, my first resolution is to eat healthy. Healthy eating habits are
important. Good nutrition is helpful to keep from getting sick, to maintain a healthy
weight, and to feel better overall. I’ve made a resolution to eat better because I need to
improve my eating habits. Last year, I ate a lot of takeout foods from places like
Subway, Chipotle, or Russillos. Foods like subs, burritos, or pizza can be enjoyed in
moderation, but are not good to eat to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In order meet my goal
of eating better, I will eat more nutritious foods and limit the amount of times I get
takeout. When I go food shopping, I will buy more fruits and vegetables. I will make
sure to include at least one of these foods into my meals each day. For example, when
preparing my meals, I will include a piece of fruit with my breakfast, a fruit or vegetable
with my lunch, and vegetables with my dinner. In order to limit the amount of times I get
unhealthy takeout foods, I will make my own healthy dinners on weeknights, Monday
through Friday. This way, if I limit takeout to the weekends only, I am cutting down on
the unhealthy foods that I eat. Overall, shopping for fruits and vegetables, eating healthy,
home cooked meals and limiting takeout will help me achieve my first New Year’s
resolution.
1. What is the topic sentence in this paragraph? Underline it. According to the topic
sentence, what is this paragraph going to be about?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. After your topic sentence, you must describe your personal improvement resolution
(what it is and/or why it is important). How has this person described their personal
improvement promise? Write the sentences below.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. After describing the personal improvement, you must discuss why you are making this
particular resolution. Why is this person making the resolution to eat better? What
details support that statement?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
4. The last thing to describe in your second body paragraph is how you will achieve your
resolution. This person is going to achieve their resolution in two ways. What are they?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
5. List the details that support the two ways this person will achieve their resolution.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
6. To wrap up your paragraph, you will need a closing sentence. What is the closing
sentence in this paragraph? Circle it. Explain why this is a good closing sentence.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
This part of the
topic sentence tells
the reader that this
paragraph will be
about the personal
improvement
resolution.
Answer Key and Notes
SAMPLE SECOND PARAGRAPH (BODY PARAGRAPH #1)
This part of the topic sentence tells the reader
what the writer’s personal improvement
resolution will be.
To improve myself, my first resolution is to eat healthy. Healthy eating habits are
These
sentences
describe why
this resolution
is important,
and provide
details to
support their
statement.
important. Good nutrition is helpful to keep from getting sick, to maintain a healthy
weight, and to feel better overall. I’ve made a resolution to eat better because I need to
improve my eating habits. Last year, I ate a lot of takeout foods from places like
Subway, Chipotle, or Russillos. Foods like subs, burritos, or pizza can be enjoyed in
moderation, but are not good to eat to maintain a healthy lifestyle. In order meet my goal
These
sentences
discuss how
the writer
plans to
achieve this
goal: eating
nutritious
foods and
limiting
takeout.
These
sentences
discuss why
the writer is
making this
resolution,
with specific
details to
support.
of eating better, I will eat more nutritious foods and limit the amount of times I get
takeout. When I go food shopping, I will buy more fruits and vegetables. I will make
sure to include at least one of these foods into my meals each day. For example, when
preparing my meals, I will include a piece of fruit with my breakfast, a fruit or vegetable
with my lunch, and vegetables with my dinner. In order to limit the amount of times I get
unhealthy takeout foods, I will make my own healthy dinners on weeknights, Monday
through Friday. This way, if I limit takeout to the weekends only, I am cutting down on
the unhealthy foods that I eat. Overall, eating healthier will be a personal improvement
that will make me a better person this new year.
The closing sentence wraps up by
reminding the reader of what the
resolution is and the type of resolution
(personal improvement).
Important to
note: first,
the writer
describes
how they
will eat
healthy
foods.
Then, the
writer
includes
details about
limiting
takeout.
1. What is the topic sentence in this paragraph? Underline it. According to the topic
sentence, what is this paragraph going to be about?
The paragraph is going to be about the writer’s personal improvement resolution:
eating healthy.
2. After your topic sentence, you must describe your personal improvement resolution
(what it is and/or why it is important). How has this person described their personal
improvement promise? Write the sentences below.
Healthy eating habits are important. Good nutrition is helpful to keep from getting
sick, to maintain a healthy weight, and to feel better overall.
3. After describing the personal improvement, you must discuss why you are making this
particular resolution. Why is this person making the resolution to eat better? What
details support that statement?
This person wants to improve their eating habits. Details to support include eating too
much takeout like Chipotle, Subway, or Russillo’s. The writer includes even more
details to say that subs, burritos, and pizza aren’t the most nutritious foods.
4. The last thing to describe in your second body paragraph is how you will achieve your
resolution. This person is going to achieve their resolution in two ways. What are they?
The writer is going to eat healthier foods and limit the amount of takeout that they eat.
5. List the details that support the two ways this person will achieve their resolution.
-Buy more fruits or vegetables at the grocery store
- Make sure to eat a fruit or vegetable with every meal
-Cook healthy meals at home
-Limit takeout to Weekends
6. To wrap up your paragraph, you will need a closing sentence. What is the closing
sentence in this paragraph? Circle it. Explain why this is a good closing sentence.
This closing sentence wraps up the paragraph by rewording the topic sentence: The
personal improvement resolution is to eat healthy.