What is a Paragraph? A group of sentences with a common theme A natural division in writing A very important feature of good style Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre http://www.skillsworkshop.org/ by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire margaretlago2@btopenworld.com April 2006. Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

When do we start a new Paragraph? To introduce a new idea To introduce a change of time or place When somebody says something Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre http://www.skillsworkshop.org/ by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire margaretlago2@btopenworld.com April 2006. Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

How many sentences are there in a paragraph? Usually more than one There are often about four or five There are no strict rules Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre http://www.skillsworkshop.org/ by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire margaretlago2@btopenworld.com April 2006. Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

Where will I see paragraphs? In newspapers In magazines In letters In stories Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre http://www.skillsworkshop.org/ by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire margaretlago2@btopenworld.com April 2006. Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

Why are Paragraphs important? They make text look good Paragraphs show care has been taken on presentation They make text easier to understand because the main points can be picked out more easily Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre http://www.skillsworkshop.org/ by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire margaretlago2@btopenworld.com April 2006. Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

How can I link paragraphs? By using linking words and phrases To show contrast – on the other hand To show agreement – also To add ideas to – as well as, in addition To show chronological order – firstly, after that, later, then Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre http://www.skillsworkshop.org/ by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire margaretlago2@btopenworld.com April 2006. Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

Look at these two pieces of writing. Which one is set out in paragraphs? When I was 16 years old I went to college. I didn’t like it very much because there were too many people about. I got lost in the corridors and I couldn’t find my locker. After a few days I started to get used to it. I was given a map to find my way around. Now I have been there for over a year. Some new students are coming in next week. I shall be helping to show them around. That’s progress! When I was 16 years old I went to college. I didn’t like it very much because there were too many people about. I got lost in the corridors and I couldn’t find my locker. After a few days I started to get used to it. I was given a map to find my way around. Now I have been there for over a year. Some new students are coming in next week. I shall be helping to show them around. That’s progress! Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre http://www.skillsworkshop.org/ by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire margaretlago2@btopenworld.com April 2006. Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

Look at the piece more carefully. What helped you to decide that it contained paragraphs? When I was 16 years old I went to college. I didn’t like it very much because there were too many people about. I got lost in the corridors and I couldn’t find my locker. After a few days I started to get used to it. I was given a map to find my way around. Now I have been there for over a year. Some new students are coming in next week. I shall be helping to show them around. That’s progress! Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre http://www.skillsworkshop.org/ by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire margaretlago2@btopenworld.com April 2006. Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

What helped me to decide? When I was 16 years old I went to college. I didn’t like it very much because there were too many people about. I got lost in the corridors and I couldn’t find my locker. After a few days I started to get used to it. I was given a map to find my way around. Now I have been there for over a year. Some new students are coming in next week. I shall be helping to show them around. That’s progress! These words ‘When’ ‘After’ ‘Now’ The indentation Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre http://www.skillsworkshop.org/ by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire margaretlago2@btopenworld.com April 2006. Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

You can now practice Writing text using paragraphs Writing letters using paragraphs Use linking words in paragraphs Picking out the most important points in paragraphs Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre http://www.skillsworkshop.org/ by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire margaretlago2@btopenworld.com April 2006. Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate

Your tutor will give you more practice in writing paragraphs Well Done! You have worked hard Your tutor will give you more practice in writing paragraphs You should be able to pick out paragraphs when you are reading the newspapers or magazines Try it for yourself Kindly contributed to the Adult Basic Skills Resource Centre http://www.skillsworkshop.org/ by Margaret Lagoyianni, Skills for Life tutor, County Training, Shropshire margaretlago2@btopenworld.com April 2006. Wt/E3.2 Organize writing in short paragraphs Wt/L1.3 Present information in a logical sequence using paragraphs where appropriate