First things first… PARAPHRASING!?

Now we can move on to… Writing a PARAGRAPH

In General ONE CENTRAL IDEA per paragraph! Bridge your ideas! (use transitional phrases and conjunctions) Therefore, despite, in conclusion… Vary your word choice! Mother and father= parents= mom and dad…

TRANSITIONS

thesaurus.com Word Choice merriam-webster.com

Paragraph Structure TOPIC SENTENCE First sentence; introduces the MAIN IDEA Most general sentence in a paragraph SUPPORTING SENTENCES “Support,” (or explain) the main idea of the topic sentence All sentences MUST RELATE BACK TO THE MAIN IDEA. Why is this important in the context of your essay? Give specific reasons and examples CONCLUDING SENTENCE Wrap it up When appropriate, transition to the next paragraph

Topic Sentence: good or bad? My hometown, San Diego, is famous for having one of the best zoos in the world, for being home to SeaWorld, for beaches, and for great weather.

Topic Sentence: good or bad? My hometown, San Diego, is famous for having one of the best zoos in the world, for being home to Sea World, for beaches, and for great weather. BAD! Too many details (NOT general); wordy

Topic Sentence: good or bad? There are two attractions that people like to see in San Diego, and there are two reasons that people spend so much time at the beach in San Diego.

Topic Sentence: good or bad? There are two attractions that people like to see in San Diego, and there are two reasons that people spend so much time at the beach in San Diego. BAD! Too many main ideas! Only ONE MAIN IDEA per paragraph!

Topic Sentence: good or bad? San Diego is by a beach.

Topic Sentence: good or bad? San Diego is by a beach. BAD! Too general Boring

Topic Sentence: good or bad? My hometown, San Diego, is famous for several exciting attractions.

Topic Sentence: good or bad? My hometown, San Diego, is famous for several exciting attractions. 

Supporting Sentences My hometown, San Diego, is famous for several exciting attractions. First, it is home to one of the United States’ most famous zoos. The San Diego Zoo is one of the few zoos in the world that houses the giant panda, and it is the largest zoological association on the globe (SD Zoo 1). Second, SeaWorld San Diego is an aquatic animal theme park that attracts international visitors to see a plethora of animal habitats and experience water rides (SeaWorld 1).

Concluding Sentence (#1) My hometown, San Diego, is famous for several exciting attractions. First, it is home to one of the United States’ most famous zoos. The San Diego Zoo is one of the few zoos in the world that houses the giant panda, and it is the largest zoological association on the globe (SD Zoo 1). Second, SeaWorld San Diego is an aquatic animal theme park that attracts international visitors to see a plethora of animal habitats and experience water rides (SeaWorld 1). These are just two of the many attractions that bring visitors to San Diego each year.

Concluding Sentence (#2): Transition My hometown, San Diego, is famous for several exciting attractions. First, it is home to one of the United States’ most famous zoos. The San Diego Zoo is one of the few zoos in the world that houses the giant panda, and it is the largest zoological association on the globe (SD Zoo 1). Second, SeaWorld San Diego is an aquatic animal theme park that attracts international visitors to see a plethora of animal habitats and experience water rides (SeaWorld 1). Of course, animal theme parks are not the only attractions that draw visitors to San Diego each year. [Paragraph about something else that attracts visitors to San Diego…]

Your turn! Complete the Sample Position Paper Worksheet