Paragraph Writing and Simple Essay Writing Some of you might still be looking for ways to improve your writing, whether a paragraph, or a whole essay. Below are some good tips that should help your writing to unfold more clearly and logically. Let's begin with the paragraph. Consider the diagram below. It stands for the five sentence paragraph.

The top line refers to the opening sentence. This is your Main Idea Sentence. It should be made clear at the beginning of your paragraph, and it should be restated in some form in your concluding sentence. The green lines on the right refer to your Supporting Detail Sentences, and the final pink line at the bottom refers to your concluding sentence. See below:

Let’s write a paragraph on snacks. The opening sentence should express the main idea, and for our supporting detail sentences we can write about our three favourite snacks. In our conclusion, we return to our main idea.

First, I look for some popcorn to pop. Next, I check to see if we have any apples. Finally, for a dessert snack, I’m pleased if I find some cookies. I like many snacks, but popcorn, apples, and cookies are my favourite ones. When I want some snacks to eat, I always look for at least three. 5 Sentence Paragraph

8 Sentence Paragraph popcorn apples snacks cookies microwave my dad bought chocolate chip snacks In an eight sentence paragraph, we add sub-categories which support and elaborate on the original supporting sentences.

When I want some snacks to eat, I always look for at least three. First, I look for some popcorn to pop. If I find popcorn that I can put in the microwave, I have a fast, easy snack. Next, I check to see if we have any apples. When I’m lucky, I find some that my dad bought at the supermarket. Finally, for a dessert snack, I’m pleased if I find some cookies. My favourite ones are chocolate chip. I like many snacks, but popcorn, apples, and cookies are my favourite ones.

First Supporting Detail Sentence Second Supporting Detail Sentence Third Supporting Detail Sentence FirstSecondThird OneTwoThree Above allThenLast of all To begin withAlsoLastly FirstlySecondlyThirdly First of allAs well asFinally Starting withIn additionIn conclusion AdditionallyAt last In addition toAs well next Transition Words for Supporting Detail Sentences

Essay When it comes to writing an Essay, brainstorming is very important. Choose what the main idea of your essay is going to be, and then brainstorm on some ideas that center around your main idea.

As a class, we decided to brainstorm on what an essay on hockey would look like. We came up with the following plan in less than 1 minute:

Think of a main idea for an essay you’d like to write Main idea

Think of four Big Ideas that will support the Main Idea Big Ideas

Write an essay on the following idea using the supporting ideas (Big Ideas). Write a 5 sentence paragraph for each Big Idea. Begin with an Introductory Sentence, introducing the main idea A Day in the Life of Me Morning Noon Afternoon Night Be sure to plan out your supporting sentences for each Big Idea. Be sure to write a closing statement. supporting sentence

Writing an Essay Arguing a Point Some essays require you to formulate a thesis and argue in defense of the thesis. Here is what such an essay should look like.

Introductory Statement Thesis Statement Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 4 Body Summary of Supporting Arguments Restatement of Thesis Closing Statement

Let’s write an essay using all that we’ve learned about paragraph writing. Let’s write an essay on the new cafeteria at our school.

Topic The New Cafeteria at FMMCA

The New Cafeteria Now let’s add our ideas that surround our main idea

The New Cafeteria Diversity at FMM Breakfast Lunch Desserts

Thesis Statement To make a thesis statement, begin by making an assertion. If our main topic is the new cafeteria, make an assertion about the new cafeteria. Then, formulate a thesis around that assertion. Your essay is really a defense of your thesis.

Thesis Statement Assertion The new cafeteria is more diversified than in previous years Thesis Aramark food services is a very suitable company given the diverse population that makes up the student body.

The New Cafeteria Diversity at FMM Breakfast Lunch Desserts

Diversity at FMM This will be the main idea of our first paragraph. Now recall that a paragraph has the following structure:

FMM is a diversified community FMM needs a Cafeteria that reflects their diversity Cultures in general Chinese, Taiwan, etc Tea at Christmas Indian and Carribean Curry Wars Our First Paragraph would look something like this: Minorities How they feel

Father Michael McGivney is a highly diversified community located in Markham, Ontario, on the Northeast corner of 14 th and McCowen. No one culture dominates the rest at this school. Rather, we have a very balanced mixture of a wide variety of cultures from around the globe. First, we have students from China, Taiwan, Korea, and the Philippines. If you are lucky, you might get some Chinese tea as a Christmas gift in December. We also have students from India, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, and Trinidad. Some of these students will argue whether the best curry is from India or the Caribbean, or whether it is more appropriate to say “Curry Chicken” or “Chicken Curry”. Strangely enough, Italians and students of Anglo- Saxon descent are a minority at this school. Nevertheless, not one of them has ever been reported to have felt out of place here. Such a culturally diverse population as the one we find at McGivney deserves a very special food services company, which is precisely what Aramark has turned out to be. First Paragraph

Breakfast This will be the main idea of our second paragraph.

Breakfast Healthier alternatives Coffee Muffins Big Breakfast various kinds Filling McMuffins, etc

Students often come to school without breakfast, but now they can purchase breakfast at a very reasonable cost. There are a number of different flavors of coffee that one may purchase for only a dollar. One has a choice between decaffeinated, dark blend, or mild 100% Columbian, etc. There are a host of muffins to choose from, such as bran, carrot, oatmeal, and morning glory. The muffins are quite large and are guaranteed to fill you up. Finally, a student may order a big breakfast consisting of 2 eggs, 2 pieces of bacon, 2 hash browns and milk or coffee. Egg “McMuffins” are also available for a Toonie. Cereal bars and yogurt are also available for those students a little more health conscious than the rest. Second Paragraph

Lunch This will be the main idea of our third paragraph

Lunch Menu Diversity in menu Other options Side orders Low fat Pita Pik

Lunch with Aramark is always a very positive experience. The diverse menu reflects the diversity of the student body. One may purchase International Cuisine, for example, Chow Mein Noodles with Vegetables, an Indian Samosa, Veal Parmesan with Pasta, or Southern Fried Chicken. There are also a host of side dishes to choose from. Students can buy French Fries cooked without trans fat, or a salad, baked rice and vegetables, or baked spuds. For students on a low fat diet, there is a pita pik just outside the main doors of the Cafeteria. They can have a pita made to their specifications. Lunch is obviously the busiest time of the day for the Cafeteria staff. Third Paragraph

Desserts This will be the main idea of our next paragraph

Desserts Desserts and blood sugar Slush Ingredients Yogurt Fruit cups Brownies Cookies

There is no shortage of desserts to choose from at the McGivney Cafeteria this year. A favorite among the students is the slush. You might think that this is the last thing in the world students need before going back to class, but the number one ingredient in the slush is 100% white concentrated grape juice, not sugar and water. For one dollar, you can buy a rather large yogurt parfait mixed with berries and nuts, or a rather large fruit cup. Finally, for those with a sweet tooth, brownies and chocolate chip cookies are also available. It is probably a good idea to reduce the amount of sugar we ingest, for by the time period four comes around, our blood sugar level will be low and we will begin to feel very sluggish. Fourth Paragraph

Summary of Supporting Arguments As you can see, our new food services company offers a wide variety of dishes from various cultures at very reasonable prices. Moreover, there is a wide selection of healthy foods for staff who might be a bit more health conscious than the average student.

Restatement of Thesis Evidently, Aramark Food Services is a highly suitable company for the population of Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy.

Closing Statement Hopefully, they will be around for many years to come; for it is not easy to find a company that provides tasty as well as healthy food.

The New Cafeteria at FMMCA Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy has a new cafeteria company specializing in food services for high school students. Aramark food services is a very suitable company given the diverse population that makes up the student body. Father Michael McGivney is a highly diversified community located in Markham, Ontario, on the Northeast corner of 14 th and McCowen. No one culture dominates the rest at this school. Rather, we have a very balanced mixture of a wide variety of cultures from around the globe. First, we have students from China, Taiwan, Korea, and the Philippines. If you are lucky, you might get some Chinese tea as a Christmas gift in December. We also have students from India, Sri Lanka, Jamaica, and Trinidad. Some of these students will argue whether the best curry is from India or the Caribbean, or whether it is more appropriate to say “Curry Chicken” or “Chicken Curry”. Strangely enough, Italians and students of Anglo-Saxon descent are a minority at this school. Nevertheless, not one of them has ever been reported to have felt out of place here. Such a culturally diverse population as the one we find at McGivney deserves a very special food services company, which is precisely what Aramark has turned out to be. Students often come to school without breakfast, but now they can purchase breakfast at a very reasonable cost. There are a number of different flavors of coffee that one may purchase for only a dollar. One has a choice between decaffeinated, dark blend, or mild 100% Columbian, etc. There are a host of muffins to choose from, such as bran, carrot, oatmeal, and morning glory. The muffins are quite large and are guaranteed to fill you up. Finally, a student may order a big breakfast consisting of 2 eggs, 2 pieces of bacon, 2 hash browns and milk or coffee. Egg “McMuffins” are also available for a Toonie. Cereal bars and yogurt are also available for those students a little more health conscious than the rest. Lunch with Aramark is always a very positive experience. The diverse menu reflects the diversity of the student body. One may purchase International Cuisine, for example, Chow Mein Noodles with Vegetables, an Indian Samosa, Veal Parmesan with Pasta, or Southern Fried Chicken. There are also a host of side dishes to choose from. Students can buy French Fries cooked without trans fat, or a salad, baked rice and vegetables, or baked spuds. For students on a low fat diet, there is a pita pik just outside the main doors of the Cafeteria. They can have a pita made to their specifications. Lunch is obviously the busiest time of the day for the Cafeteria staff. There is no shortage of desserts to choose from at the McGivney Cafeteria this year. A favorite among the students is the slush. You might think that this is the last thing in the world students need before going back to class, but the number one ingredient in the slush is 100% white concentrated grape juice, not sugar and water. For one dollar, you can buy a rather large yogurt parfait mixed with berries and nuts, or a rather large fruit cup. Finally, for those with a sweet tooth, brownies and chocolate chip cookies are also available. It is probably a good idea to reduce the amount of sugar we ingest, for by the time period four comes around, our blood sugar level will be low and we will begin to feel very sluggish. As you can see, our new food services company offers a wide variety of dishes from various cultures at very reasonable prices. Moreover, there is a wide selection of healthy foods for staff who might be a bit more health conscious than the average student. Evidently, Aramark Food Services is a highly suitable company for the population of Father Michael McGivney Catholic Academy. Hopefully, they will be around for many years to come; for it is not easy to find a company that provides tasty as well as healthy food

Connecting Words That Add Coherence PurposeSuggested Connectors Adding ideasagain besides firstly, etc. in addition like similarly also correspondingly further in like manner likewise too and equally furthermore in the same way moreover Contrasting ideasbut in contrast otherwise still yet conversely instead on the contrary unlike however nevertheless on the other hand whereas

Showing order in time afterwards earlier immediately now thereafter at the same time eventually later presently thereupon before henceforth meanwhile then Making a conclusion accordingly finally in conclusion so therefore as a result for this reason indeed it follows that thus consequently hence in fact then Connecting Words That Add Coherence

Copyright © 2005 Douglas P. McManaman