Main Ideas & Supporting Ideas

Review on Introductions…  Hook  What is the topic?  What is your opinion on the topic?  What are your 3 reasons why?

Topic Sentence Whenever a writer creates a paragraph, it always begins with a topic sentence or a “main idea.” It is the first sentence in a body paragraph (2 nd, 3 rd, or 4 th paragraph)  States a reason supporting your opinion Begin each topic sentence with the correct transition or have a transition somewhere in the body (see list)  Each body paragraph should have at least one transition

Ideas for Supporting Details A topic sentence must be supported with details that are specific and descriptive, such as: A fact – common knowledge or using comparisons or contrasts, for example:  Bullying is a serious issue that happens daily in schools and recently, is a leading cause of teenage suicide. There are many states that have laws today that bring criminal charges to bullies in an attempt to control this horrible behavior. Schools are bringing guest speakers in to talk about bullying, and there are anti-bullying programs to teach students about this serious issue, such as DARE. Hopefully, education will discourage bullying from continuing in schools.

Ideas for Supporting Details  A personal story/experience, for example:  Any type of rumor or situation where a person is talking about another person in a negative way is bullying. There was a boy in school who everyone said was homosexual, because a rumor was spread throughout the school about it. Whether he is homosexual or not, talking about him is bullying because it is hurtful to speak about another person. Bullying is also unwanted behavior. This situation is bullying, because the boy does not want the students talking about him.

Ideas for Supporting Details  A statistic – a number or figure that has been researched. For example:  Studies have shown legislation on bullying has decreased bullying by 90%.  In a recent poll of River Dell students…45% said they have seen bullying in high school, while 5% say there is no bullying. The results of this poll prove that bullying is still a major issue in schools and stricter rules or punishments need to be given in order for there to be a difference.

Ex:1One Sentence Summary of the Topic  Whether or not school should purchase security equipment using funds from the student activities account.  The school is thinking about purchasing security equipment using funds from the student activities account.

Ex: 2 Use the Language from the Writing Prompt (Topic)  Schools want to buy safety tools with student’s money.  Schools want to buy security devices with money from the student activities budget.

Ex: 3 Never Use “I”  Personally, I agree with the idea that the media has created too many negative effects on young adults.  The media has created too many negative effects on young adults.  The media has not created…  The media has no negative effects on young adults.

Ex: 4 Non-Count Nouns  If you can’t count each thing, it is a non- count noun and does not need an “s” to show the plural form (more than one)  Examples: information, stuff, water (unless it is more than one bottle), family, anger, education, weather, furniture, homework, music, soccer, butter, fish, wood, hair, etc.

Ex: 5 Make sure your ideas aren’t too similar  Reason 1: Parents will feel safe for their children to come to school.  Reason 2: Kids will feel safe to come to school.  These ideas are too similar. If you can’t think of another idea, use:  “Studies have shown”  “In a recent poll of (high school students, parents, teachers, police officers, firemen)…”

Class Work/Homework  Write an introduction  Include the formula on the first slide  Write one body paragraph.