2. How to Write a Paragraph How to Write a Paragraph Or How to Build a Big Mac

3. Big Mac Cheeseburger What are the ingredients of a Big Mac Cheeseburger? Top Bun Lettuce Tomato Cheese Onion Special Sauce Hamburger Bottom Bun

4. A good paragraph is like a Big Mac.  The top and bottom bun hold the stuff inside together.

5. ..

6. The topic sentence introduces the main idea of a paragraph.  Although most people believe that man’s best friend is a dog, I think it should be a cat.  Cats have been used as pets since the time of the pharaohs in Egypt. They have been found in countries all over the world. Obviously, cats have been the favorites of man for hundreds of years. I suppose cats are so well liked because they are gentle, friendly and easy to take care of.

7. The topic sentence... ... is normally the first sentence of the paragraph.... conveys the overall point of the paragraph.... helps the writer focus on the idea written about.... helps the reader know about what the paragraph is all about.

8. Would you like a cheeseburger without a top bun?

9. A paragraph without a topic sentence is like warm milk –you don’t know if you want to swallow it.

10. A paragraph without a topic sentence is like a...  A ship without its rudder.  An army without its general.  A vacation trip without a map.

11. What’s missing?  He collects books that were written over a hundred years ago. But he is also interested in the best sellers of today. If I ever need to get him a present, I know I can always please him by buying him a book.

12. What’s missing?  The most beautiful flower is the rose because it comes in so many different colors. Another beautiful flower is the daisy which sometimes grows wild. Spring flowers like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses are also very pretty.

13. What’s missing?  First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Finally, Canada’s cities are clean and efficiently managed.

14. He collects books that were written over a hundred years ago. But he is also interested in the best sellers of today. If I ever need to get him a present, I know I can always please him by buying him a book.  Which of the following topic sentences is the best one for the above paragraph?  A. Reading is fun.  B. Books are my father’s hobby.  C. My father was a main influence in my life.

15. The most beautiful flower is the rose because it comes in so many different colors. Another beautiful flower is the daisy which sometimes grows wild. Spring flowers like tulips, daffodils, and crocuses are also very pretty.  Which of the following topic sentences is the best one for the above paragraph?  A. Don’t you just love spring?  B. The rose is the most loved flower the world over.  C. There are many lovely flowers to consider for your garden.

16. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Finally, Canada’s cities are clean and efficiently managed.As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.  A. Canada is our friendly neighbor to the north.  B. There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries of the world.  C. Choose Canada as a great place to vacation.

17. Add some of the “good stuff” in the middle—these are the supporting details for the topic. Supporting details...

18. o They are sentences used to support the main idea stated in the topic sentence. o They give more information about the main idea through examples. o They say in details what the topic sentence says in general. o They should be clear evidence that what the topic sentence says is trustworthy. o They should be strong convincing points on which the topic sentence can rely upon. Supporting details...

19. There are three reasons why Canada First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Finally, Canada’s cities are clean and efficiently managed. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

20. Would you like a cheeseburger without a bottom bun?

21. The last sentence of a paragraph should be a summary statement that introduces the main idea of a paragraph.

22. The last sentence of a paragraph -- the bottom bun -- should be an important part of the paragraph—It helps hold it all together. It is the closing sentence that eventually indicates the end of a paragraph.

23. It is a reflection of the main idea pronounced in the topic sentence. It sums up what the topic sentence and supporting details talk about. It is necessary for the completion of the paragraph unity.

24. The last sentence of a paragraph -- the bottom bun -- should be an important part of the paragraph—It helps hold it all together.

25. Determine which of the following sentences is the topic sentence and/or the supporting details: Topic: Fire Prevention at Home A. There are many steps you can take to survive a house fire. B. Be sure that family pets do not chew or nibble at electrical wires.

26. Topic: Preparing Children for School A. Many children begin their lifelong educational experiences ready to learn. B. Reading to children and helping them with the alphabet are good techniques.

27. Topic: Young Adult Literature A. A Wrinkle in Time is one young adult novel that teaches about many adolescent issues. B. There are many authors and titles that belong in the genre called young adult literature.

28. Topic: Computer Technology A. The computer technology field has grown enormously in the last 15 years. B. You can find a job more easily with computer skills.

29. Topic: Studying Education A. John Dewey’s books about education are especially interesting. B. There are many authors who have written about public education in the United States.

30. Kinds of paragraphs/writing: DESCRIPTIVEThe author writes about what a person, place, or thing is like. PERSUASIVEThe goal of this type of paragraph is to convince another person to at least think about changing their opinion about something. NARRATIVEThis type of paragraph is used to tell a story. There is a logical sequence of events. EXPOSITORYThis type of paragraph is used to present information, ideas, or opinions.

31. So remember, every paragraph should have: a topic/main idea sentence,. good supporting details, and a summary statement!