The Paragraph
What is a paragraph?
What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a section of
text focused on a
MAIN IDEA.
The Main Idea
The topic around which the
entire paragraph is
organized
Topic Sentence
The main idea of a paragraph
is usually stated in a TOPIC
SENTENCE. It is usually the
first sentence in a paragraph.
What is the topic sentence
(#1, Exercise 1 on page 296?)
In the sun’s family of planets, the earth is unique
in its possession of oceans. Indeed, it is
remarkable that oceans exist at all. They do
only because the largest part of the earth has a
surface temperature in the small range within
which water remains a liquid: in short, between
32 degrees F (below which, under ordinary
conditions, water freezes) and 212 degrees F
(when it boils and becomes a gas).
What is main idea?
(#2, page 297)
I arrived in San Francisco, leaner than
usual, fairly unkempt, and with no luggage.
Mother took one look and said, “Is the
rationing that bad at your father’s? You’d
better have some food to stick to all those
bones.” She, as she called it, turned to, and
soon I sat at a clothed table with bowls of
food, expressly cooked for me.
Supporting Sentences
Give specific details that explain or
prove the main idea
 Sensory details
 Facts
 Examples
Sensory Details
What we experience through our
five senses:
Sight, Hearing, Touch, Taste, and Smell
Facts
Give information that can be
proven true by checking a
reliable source or by direct
observation.
Examples
Give specific instances or
illustrations of an idea.
What is an example of a supporting
sentence that appeals to the sense
of smell?
Clincher Sentence
A sentence that wraps up a
paragraph is called a clincher
sentence.
*Write a clincher sentence for number 2
in Exercise 3 on page 300.
Write a clincher sentence!
As a student, you should find out what kind of study
environment is right for you because the wrong study
conditions can lead to poor grades. Some students
must have a quiet environment in which to study. The
noise of the TV or radio, the whirring of a fan, or the
movement of people can cause these students to lose
concentration. As a result, they often have ineffective
study sessions. However, some students actually
seem to need what is called “background noise.” In
other words, these students need to hear the hum of
the TV or radio in the background to study effectively.
Making a Good Paragraph
Unity
Coherence
Elaboration
UNITY
When all of the sentences
tell about ONE main
idea…you have UNITY!
Which sentence destroys the unity?
I had the best time at my grandma’s house this
weekend. When I first got there, we baked
chocolate chip cookies. Afterwards we played
cards. My grandma plays cards every Saturday
night at the VFW. Then, we settled into the living
room to watch our favorite movie. I love going
to my grandma’s house whenever I get a chance
because I always have a good time.
Which sentence destroys the unity?
If you don’t want to be stuck in the seventh
grade forever you should stay organized. Most
importantly, you should fill out your assignment
journal. There is plenty of room in the planners
to write down your assignments. You should
also have a folder for each class. Lastly, you
should keep a morning binder and an afternoon
binder. So, if you want to get out of junior high,
stay organized.
Coherence
• When a reader can tell how and why ideas are
connected…you have COHERENCE!
• To achieve this, you must organize your details
into a certain order. There are three ways you
can organize your ideas: chronological order,
spatial order, and logical order.
Chronological Order
PRESENTS DETAILS IN THE ORDER THEY HAPPEN
• Telling a story.
• Explaining a process.
• Explaining cause and effects.
What’s wrong with this paragraph?
When I woke up this morning, I put my coat on
and then got dressed. After I got dressed, I
dried my hair. I ate some breakfast and then
took a shower. When I was done with my
shower, I went outside to wait for my bus. I
grabbed my books and put my dishes in the sink.
Spatial Order
ORGANIZES DETAILS ACCORDING TO LOCATION
Your Turn: Page 306 Exercise 6
Logical Order
ORGANIZES INFORMATION INTO CATEGORIES
VS.
See Example on
Page 308
Example
There are three main differences between
butterflies and moths. Butterflies are out by day
while moths usually fly at night, but this is not an
infallible guide since some moths fly by day.
Second, moths spread their wings sideways at rest,
whereas butterflies hold them together over their
backs, though again there are exceptions. Third,
the butterfly’s antennae are long and slender,
whereas a moth’s are shorter and feathery.
Transitional Words and Phrases
Another way to create coherence is
to use transitional words or
phrases.
PAGES 309-310
Circle the transitional words or phrases
in the paragraph below.
I had the best time at my grandma’s house
this weekend. When I first got there, we baked
chocolate chip cookies. Afterwards we played
cards. Then, we settled into the living room to
watch our favorite movie. I love going to my
grandma’s house whenever I get a chance
because I always have a good time.
ELABORATION
When you elaborate, you expand
on the supporting details so the
reader gets enough information
and understands the subject.
*details
*facts
*examples
Types of Paragraphs
Narrative
Descriptive
Expository
Persuasive
Narrative Paragraph
Uses chronological order to tell
a story or relate a sequence of
events.
Descriptive Paragraph
Used to describe a person, place,
thing or idea; often used to express
or entertain
Expository Paragraph
Used to inform or explain, often by
including facts, definitions, or
instructions on how to do
something
Persuasive Paragraph
Used to influence others to agree
with the writer’s opinion or to take
action.