Effective Paragraph Organization The parts of a paragraph

Parts of a Paragraph The Main Idea (not actually part of the written paragraph) The Main Idea (not actually part of the written paragraph) The Topic Sentence The Topic Sentence Supporting Sentences Supporting Sentences The “Clincher Sentence” The “Clincher Sentence”

The Main Idea Is the central focus of the paragraph. Is the central focus of the paragraph. (not actually part of the written paragraph) (not actually part of the written paragraph) –Ex. Differences among North American Indian tribes.

The Topic Sentence A single sentence that states the main idea. A single sentence that states the main idea. Often found in the first or second sentence (sometimes following a catchy, inviting sentence) Often found in the first or second sentence (sometimes following a catchy, inviting sentence) Ex. “In the past forty years, anthropologists have done some digging into the the life of Native Americans and discovered a bewildering variety of cultures and societies beyond anything the schoolbooks have taught.” Ex. “In the past forty years, anthropologists have done some digging into the the life of Native Americans and discovered a bewildering variety of cultures and societies beyond anything the schoolbooks have taught.”

Supporting Sentences Support or prove the topic sentence by adding detail. Support or prove the topic sentence by adding detail. –Ex. “Some lived in caves, others in tepees of bison skins, others in cabins.” Details normally take the form of: Details normally take the form of:

Supporting Sentence Details Details normally take the form of: Details normally take the form of: –Sensory Details: images of sight, sound, taste, smell, and texture.

Supporting Sentence Details Details normally take the form of: Details normally take the form of: –Facts or Statistics

Supporting Sentence Details Details normally take the form of: Details normally take the form of: –Examples: specific instances, or illustrations of a general idea.

Supporting Sentence Details Details normally take the form of: Details normally take the form of: –Anecdotes: Little stories that illustrate the main idea

The “Clencher Sentence” Final sentence that emphasizes or summarizes the main idea. Final sentence that emphasizes or summarizes the main idea. –Ex. “In short, there was a great diversity of Indian nations, speaking over five hundred languages.” Sometimes is written in a bold or clever way, to close a thought with some pizazz. Sometimes is written in a bold or clever way, to close a thought with some pizazz.