Stick to a topic! Adding information that doesn’t relate doesn’t make your paragraph better. Really tell a story!

Sentences, like paragraphs, have topics. “The dog walked across the road.”

Sentences, like paragraphs, have topics Sentences, like paragraphs, have topics. “The dog walked across the road.” “The dog” is the subject. “Walked” is the verb. “Across” is the preposition. “The road” is the object. This sentence is a correct simple sentence. If it were to begin a paragraph, your readers want to know what happens the dog.

Stick to the topic Correct Incorrect The dog walked across the road. He was in a hurry because his master was calling. The dog walked across the road. The dog walking across the road is like my favourite dog.

Stick to the topic Correct Incorrect The dog walked across the road. He was in a hurry because his master was calling. At fourteen, his hearing wasn’t what it once was. The dog walked across the road. The dog walking across the road is like my favourite dog. Trixie is a better name for a dog then Spot.

Stick to the topic Correct Incorrect The dog walked across the road. He was in a hurry because his master was calling. At fourteen, his hearing wasn’t what it once was. Therefore, he did not hear the car rapidly approaching on his left. The dog walked across the road. The dog walking across the road is like my favourite dog. Trixie is a better name for a dog then Spot. Dogs are really my favourite animals.

How does the incorrect side go wrong? The dog walked across the road. He was in a hurry because his master was calling. At fourteen his hearing wasn’t what it once was. Therefore, he did not hear the car rapidly approaching on his left. He blindly stepped out in front of the speeding car. The dog walked across the road. The dog walking across the road is like my favourite dog. Trixie is a better name for a dog then Spot. Dogs are really my favourite animals. The dog walking across the road is like my favourite dog because he is walking and he‘s a dog I like him alot.

Isn’t the incorrect side’s topic about dogs? The supporting sentences are always about the dog introduced at the beginning of the paragraph. Each sentence helps move the story forward. There are fragmented ideas about dogs. However, each sentence introduces separate, repetitive or random thoughts to the reader. There are also three common grammatical errors made OFTEN by grade nine writers.

Please don’t ever write alot! The Common Errors Are: Run on sentence. Misuse of then and than. The phrase “a lot” is always two words! Please don’t ever write alot! A lot is not one word!!!!

Another of the most common errors Than  Unlike then, than is not related to time.  Than is used in comparative statements. For example, “I like French fries more than popcorn.” Then Then is used either as a time marker or with a sequence of events. For example, “That was then this is now.” Run on sentences really make reading difficult for the reader! Please make sure you’re separate ideas are properly separated with punctuation. Even though the sentence word choice isn’t interesting the run on should read: The dog crossing the road is my favourite kind of dog because he is walking. He‘s a (you might want to insert the kind of dog here.>) dog and I like him a lot

The second most common Than   Unlike then, than is not related to time.  Than is used in comparative statements. For example, “I like French fries more than popcorn.” Then Then is used either as a time marker or with a sequence of events. For example, “That was then this is now.” Please Don’t Ever Write, “I like French fries more then popcorn.” It implies that you like French fries then you like popcorn later or next.

What about the dog? Stick to The Topic Right? Correct The dog walked across the road. He was in a hurry because his mater was calling. At fourteen his hearing wasn’t what it once was. Therefore he did not hear the car rapidly approaching on his left. He blindly stepped out in front of the speeding car. In that breathless moment the car hurtled toward the unsuspecting pooch, seemingly unable to stop in time. Incorrect The dog walked across the road. The dog walking across the road is like my favourite dog. Trixie is a better name for a dog then Spot. Dogs are really my favourite animals. The dog walking across the road is like my favourite dog because he is walking and he‘s a dog I like him alot. Black Labs rock and those dogs don’t just walk they run across the street.

Sticking to it! Incorrect The dog walked across the road. He was in a hurry because his mater was calling. At fourteen his hearing wasn’t what it once was. Therefore, he did not hear the car rapidly approaching on his left. He blindly stepped out in front of the speeding car. In that breathless moment the car hurtled toward the unsuspecting pooch, seemingly unable to stop in time. Frightened beyond belief, the dog heard the speeding car’s squealing brakes and bolted at the last minute, narrowly avoiding the cars skidding front tires. Incorrect The dog walked across the road. The dog walking across the road is like my favourite dog. Trixie is a better name for a dog then Spot. Dogs are really my favourite animals. The dog walking across the road is like my favourite dog because he is walking and he‘s a dog I like him alot. Black Labs rock and those dogs don’t just walk they run across the street. Uh?

Sticking to the Topic? Correct Incorrect The dog walked across the road. He was in a hurry because his mater was calling. At fourteen his hearing wasn’t what it once was. Therefore, he did not hear the car rapidly approaching on his left. He blindly stepped out in front of the speeding car. In that breathless moment the car hurtled toward the unsuspecting pooch, seemingly unable to stop in time. Frightened beyond belief, the dog heard the speeding car’s squealing brakes and bolted at the last minute, narrowly avoiding the cars skidding front tires. Shaking nervously, the dog vowed to himself never to cross the street alone again. The dog walked across the road. The dog walking across the road is like my favourite dog. Trixie is a better name for a dog then Spot. Dogs are really my favourite animals. The dog walking across the road is like my favourite dog because he is walking and he‘s a dog I like him alot. Black Labs rock and those dogs don’t just walk they run across the street. Uh? THE END!

What do we learn? What qualifies this dog paragraph as a mark worthy piece of writing? What disqualifies this one because it is a dog?