Meet a very POWERFUL tool. The Paragraph Meet a very POWERFUL tool.

Think Value Act Communicate What am I trying to say? Balance Think Value Act Communicate

Think: Types of Paragraphs The narrative paragraph tells a story The persuasive paragraph tries to convince the audience The descriptive paragraph Uses detail to paint a picture of something The expository or explanatory paragraph gives information or explains something

Think: So, What do we know about …Paragraphing? The paragraph is a series of sentences developing one topic.

Value: The Topic Sentence The topic of a paragraph is stated in one sentence. This is called the topic sentence. The topic sentence is also known as the main idea. Eureka! That one topic is aka the… Thesis Statement in a multi paragraph paper! A thesis is a value judgment about a specific topic. For example, your topic may be “health care”. Your views, biases, and opinions on this topic help you choose a position or a value judgment!

Act: What about the rest of the paragraph? The rest of the paragraph consists of sentences that develop or explain the main idea. Through the centuries rats have managed to survive all our efforts to destroy them. We have poisoned them and trapped them. We have fumigated, flooded, and burned them. We have tried germ warfare. Some rats even survived atomic bomb tests conducted on Entwetok atoll in the Pacific 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. Main idea/Topic sentence Concluding sentence

Act: How do these pieces fit together?

Communicate: Developing the Topic Sentence

Unity in the Paragraph Main Idea Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main idea expressed in the topic sentence. Details, examples etc. Main Idea Sentence Sentence Sentence Sentence

Unity provides balance Main idea/Topic sentence Through the centuries rats have managed to survive all our efforts to destroy them. We have poisoned them and trapped them. We have fumigated, flooded, and burned them. We have tried germ warfare. Some rats even survived atomic bomb tests conducted on Entwetok atoll in the Pacific 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. Supporting details What efforts? Traps Fumigation Flood Fire Germ warfare Blah blah Point…Blah point blah point blah blah blah blah blah point transition. So what? Concluding sentence The point is: The rats survived our efforts; we conclude they are indestructible

The concluding or clincher sentence Restate the topic sentence in different words. A clincher sentence or concluding sentence clinches the point made in the paragraph. It summarizes the paragraph.

Conclusion -- The Big Finale Your conclusion should reemphasize the main points made in your paper. You may choose to reiterate a call to action or speculate on the future of your topic, when appropriate. Avoid raising new claims in your conclusion.

Coherence in a Paragraph Stick to the point: The ideas have a clear and logical relation to each other. Put details or examples or incidents in logical order. chronological in relation to each other in order of importance

Connecting Sentences Within the Paragraph Transition Words Chronological Order Objects in relation to one another In order of importance first meanwhile later afterwards finally next to in front of beside between behind however furthermore as a result in fact yet

Body Paragraphs and Topic Sentences Body paragraphs build upon the claims made in the introductory paragraph(s) Organize with the use of topic. sentences that illustrate the main idea of each paragraph. Offering a brief explanation of the history or recent developments in your topic within the early body paragraphs can help the audience to become familiarized with your topic and the complexity of the issue.

Paragraph Tips for Timed Writings

Proofreading tips Stop writing and…take a break! Come back fresh and slowly… read your paper aloud. Read your paper backwards. Ask a friend to read the paper aloud. Remember! Spell check and Grammar check can make mistakes.