1. Writing Paragraphs A well-developed paragraph has 3 parts
Topic sentence
Supporting sentences
Concluding sentence

2. Topic Sentence The subject of a paragraph is stated in one sentence.
This is called the topic sentence.
Example: Through the centuries rats have managed to survive all our efforts to destroy them.

3. Supporting Sentence
Sentences that develop or explain the topic sentence are called supporting sentences.
You should have at least 2-3 supporting sentences in a solid paragraph
Example: Through the centuries rats have managed to survive all our efforts to destroy them. We have poisoned and trapped them. We have fumigated, flooded, and burned them. We have tried germ warfare. Some rats even survived atomic bomb tests conducted on an atoll in the Pacific Ocean after World War II.

4. Unity in the Paragraph main idea
Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main idea expressed in the topic sentence.
main idea
sentence
sentence
sentence
sentence

5. Coherence Stick to the point:
Ideas must have a clear & logical relation to each other.
Put details or examples in logical order. 4 3
Chronological 2
Showing relation to each other 1
Order of importance

6. Transition Words Chronological order first meanwhile later afterwards
finally
Showing relation to
each another
next to
in front of
beside
between
behind
Order of importance
however
furthermore
as a result
in fact
yet

7. The Concluding or Clincher Sentence
Restates topic sentence in different words.
Reinforces the point made in the paragraph.
Summarizes paragraph.
Example: Through the centuries rats have managed to survive all our efforts to destroy them. We have poisoned and trapped them. We have fumigated, flooded, and burned them. We have tried germ warfare. Some rats even survived atomic bomb tests conducted on an atoll in the Pacific Ocean after World War II. In spite of all our efforts, these enemies of ours continue to prove that they are the most indestructible of pests.

8. Types of Paragraphs Narrative paragraph tells a story
Persuasive paragraph.
tries to convince the audience
Descriptive paragraph
describes something
Expository or explanatory paragraph
gives information or explains something

9. Practice Choose a topic
Your family
A vacation
Your cell phone
A meal
A movie…
Write a perfect sentence using all the elements we have discussed.