1. HOW TO WRITE A PERFECT PARAGRAPH

2. STEP ONE 1. READ THE QUESTION
2. RESPOND TO THE QUESTION IN A COMPLETE SENTENCE, WHILE RESTATING THE QUESTION IN YOUR ANSWER.
EX: WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
MY NAME IS MRS. MCLAUGHLIN.

3. TOPIC SENTENCE
The topic sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph.
The topic sentence restates the question and identifies the main idea or topic of the paragraph.
#1 on the Reading Log looks like this:
Q: Characterize the protagonist or central figure.
A: Andy in Tears of a Tiger is depressed.
(Character’s name, title of text, ONE word to describe him/her)

4. TOPIC SENTENCE #2 on the Reading Log looks like this:
Q: Summarize your reading today.
A: Pages of Tears of a Tiger were about Andy’s first visit with the psychologist.
(Pages of the text/text title, were/was about…then the main idea of the reading)

5. SUPPORTING SENTENCES SENTENCES #2-4+ are the supporting sentences.
These sentences support the topic sentence and provide evidence to support the topic sentence. They provide important details.
Supporting sentences often require direct evidence from a text: learning how to properly cite will come next…

6. CONCLUDING SENTENCE (CLINCHER)
The last sentence of a paragraph wraps up the main idea from the paragraph and offers closure.
The last sentence oftentimes restates the topic sentence (using other words)

7. Reading Log #1 TS=Blue Supporting Sentences=Black Clincher=Orange
Correct Response:
Andy in Tears of a Tiger is depressed. Andy was the driver in a car accident that ultimately killed his best friend Robbie. Andy had been drinking, and he swerved into a median and crashed. His friend was killed. After the accident, he struggled a great deal with his guilt and grief. He is terribly unhappy. In the text, he explains to his therapist, “It’s my fault. I am the one that shouldn’t be alive. How can I possibly go on?” (56). Andy clearly is having a hard time dealing with Robbie’s death and is depressed.

8. Reading Log #2 TS=Blue Supporting Sentences=Black Clincher=Orange
Correct Response:
Pages of Tears of a Tiger were about Andy’s first visit with the psychologist. Andy met with Dr. Carrothers and explained how he was having a hard time focusing in school. He also told the doctor that he felt guilty being the captain of the basketball team after Robbie’s death. In his meeting with Dr. C, he expressed his disappointment in himself. In this section of the text, Andy told his therapist that he is struggling.

9. ICE FORMAT TO BE USED ANY TIME THE QUESTION IS ASKING YOU TO PROVIDE TEXTUAL EVIDENCE
I = Introduce with a proper topic sentence
C = Cite (use a citation to support your response/topic sentence)
E = Explanation (explain in your own words how your citation supports your topic sentence)

10. Reading Log #1: ICE TS=Blue (I) Supporting Sentences (E) =Black C = Citation Clincher=Orange (is also part of the E)
Dwayne Wade, in the article, “Dwayne Wade Mourns Cousin, Urges Tougher Gun Laws in Chicago,” is determined. He is determined to do something about the gun laws in Chicago after his cousin was recently shot and killed there. He thinks there should be tougher gun laws, and he is determined to help bring about change. In the text he states, “But I think my purpose at the end of the day is hopefully to come to Chicago and be a part and be the voice that can help bring people together” (2). Wade explains how he is determined to bring people together.

11. Reading Log #2 TS=Blue Supporting Sentences, 3 Major Details Clincher=Orange
Q: Summarize your reading today. A: The article, “Dwayne Wade Mourns Cousin, Urges Tougher Gun Laws in Chicago,” is about basketball star Dwayne Wade, his murdered cousin and his desire for tougher gun laws in Chicago. Wade’s cousin was shot and killed in Chicago recently, and now that he is coming to play for the Chicago Bulls, he is also hoping to be a voice in Chicago for change. He is saddened by his cousin’s death, and he described his feelings about it, but he is also concerned about the number of deaths attributed to gun violence in Chicago. The article also discussed statistics and the growing concern for rehabilitation for prisoners. Wade is determined to bring awareness to the need for tougher gun laws in Chicago to prevent unnecessary deaths like that of his cousin.

12. TO CITE FIRST, INTRODUCE THE QUOTE The text states, The author states,
Dwayne Wade states,
THEN COPY THE QUOTE, WORD FOR WORD
“Dwayne Wade lashed out against Chicago’s gun laws”
THEN, do not use punctuation inside the quote.
Use a parentheses after the quote, with the page number from a text and a period after that. EX: (1).

13. PROPER CITATION
The text states, “Dwayne Wade lashed out against Chicago’s gun laws” (1).
NO punctuation inside the quotation!
It belongs after the parentheses
The number inside the parentheses is the page number from which you found the citation

14. REMEMBER TOPIC SENTENCE +
SUPPORTING SENTENCES/FURTHER DETAILS/A QUOTE WHEN NECESSARY
A RECAP SENTENCE/RESTATE THE TOPIC SENTENCE

15. DO NOT WRITE A CLINCHER LIKE THESE!
That’s why Andy is depressed.
That’s what the reading was about.

16. Think of a cheeseburger…

17. A Cheeseburger:
The two buns of a burger hold together or support the contents of the burger—much like a topic sentence and clincher
The “meat” is the protein of the paragraph. The meat is the essence of the burger. It further explains the main idea of your paragraph. You cannot have a cheeseburger without the meat!
The fixings: tomato, lettuce, cheese, onion, ketchup, mustard, pickles— these are the supporting details for the meat. A cheeseburger is much tastier with more fixings!!!
The top bun and bottom bun look alike, but they are not exactly the same.
A paragraph is about ONE idea—much like a cheeseburger is just one cheeseburger.
Be sure to indent when beginning a new paragraph!

18. LET’S PRACTICE!

19. Please write a topic sentence for the following prompts
Please write a topic sentence for the following prompts. Remember the topic sentence identifies the main idea/answer of the paragraph and also restates the question.
EXAMPLE:
Q: Where do you go to school?
A: I attend Amundsen High School.

20. QUESTIONS 1. WHAT IS ONE GOAL YOU HAVE FOR FRESHMAN YEAR?
2. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE KIND OF PIZZA?
3. WHERE DO YOU FEEL THE MOST AT HOME?
4. IF YOU COULD ONLY EAT ONE THING FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
5. WHO IS THE NICEST PERSON YOU KNOW?

21. ANSWERS
1. ONE GOAL I HAVE FOR FRESHMAN YEAR IS TO GET A 3.0 GRADE POINT AVERAGE.
2. MY FAVORITE KIND OF PIZZA IS DEEP DISH, STUFFED SPINACH.
3. I FEEL THE MOST AT HOME ON THE SOCCER FIELD.
4. IF I COULD ONLY EAT ONE THING FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE, IT WOULD BE EGGO WAFFLES.
5. THE NICEST PERSON I KNOW IS MY MOM.

22. Question to Topic Sentence + Two Supporting Sentences
Now…for each question, respond with a proper topic sentence, and add two supporting sentences.
EXAMPLE
Q: If you could have any one over for dinner tonight, who would it be? Why?
A: If I could have anyone over for dinner tonight it would be Michael Jordan. He is my hero. I would enjoy talking to him about how he got to be the world’s greatest basketball player.

23. QUESTIONS 1. IF YOU COULD HAVE A SUPERPOWER, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
2. WHO DO YOU TRUST MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD? WHY?
3. WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE STAR? WHY?
4. IF YOU HAD $500 TO SPEND RIGHT NOW, WHAT WOULD YOU DO WITH IT? WHY?
5. WHO MAKES YOU LAUGH THE MOST? WHY?

24. ANSWERS
1. IF I COULD HAVE A SUPERPOWER, I WOULD BE INVISIBLE. I WOULD LIKE TO BE INVISIBLE BECAUSE IT WOULD BE INTERESTING TO SPY ON PEOPLE. I WOULD ALSO ENJOY BEING INVISIBLE BECAUSE I COULD PLAY PRACTICAL JOKES ON OTHERS.
2. I TRUST MY BEST FRIEND PEDRO MORE THAN ANYONE ELSE IN THE WORLD. I TRUST HIM BECAUSE…ANOTHER REASON I TRUST HIM IS BECAUSE…
3. MY FAVORITE MOVIE STAR IS JOHNNY DEPP. HE IS A VERY TALENTED ACTOR WHO CAN PLAY MANY DIFFERENT KINDS OF ROLES. I ALSO ADMIRE HIM BECAUSE…
4. IF I HAD $500 TO SPEND RIGHT NOW, I WOULD BUY A NEW WARDROBE. I WOULD START WITH BUYING NEW SHOES FOR WORK BECAUSE I NEED MORE COMFORTABLE SHOES WHILE STANDING UP ALL DAY. THEN I WOULD BUY…
5. MY BROTHER TOMMY MAKES ME LAUGH THE MOST. HE IS ALWAYS TELLING HILARIOUS JOKES. HE ALSO IS VERY QUICK WITH HIS ONE-LINERS THAT POKE INNOCENT FUN AT OTHERS.

25. ADD A CLINCHER (Concluding Sentence)
Please write a wrap-up sentence or clincher for the following paragraphs.
If I could live in any state, it would be Colorado. I find Colorado to be the most beautiful state in the United States. I would love to be able to go for long, beautiful hikes from my backdoor in the mild seasons. It would also be wonderful if I had close access to ski resorts in the winter. I know that I would be immensely happy if I was surrounded by the wonders of nature on a daily basis. ______________________________________________ ______________________________________________ _(add).

26. POSSIBLE ANSWERS I WOULD LOVE TO LIVE IN COLORADO.
I WOULD BE VERY HAPPY IF I COULD LIVE IN COLORADO.
COLORADO IS THE PERFECT STATE FOR ME.

27. ADD A CLINCHER
Visit the Italian city of Verona on a summer night and you might see something strange. The streets slowly fill with thousands of well-dressed people holding candles. These people will walk to an ancient Roman arena. Once inside, still holding their candles, they will listen to opera singers perform onstage. This might sound a little boring to some people, but even teenagers find it to be an amazing experience.
______________________________________________ ___.

28. POSSIBLE ANSWERS VERONA IS AN EXCITING PLACE AT NIGHT.
INTERESTING THINGS HAPPEN AT NIGHT IN VERONA.
SUMMER NIGHTS IN VERONA OFFER EXCITEMENT.

29. ADD A CLINCHER
Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time. Although, a summary of his basketball career and influence on the game inevitably fails to do it justice, as a phenomenal athlete with a unique combination of fundamental soundness, grace, speed, power, artistry, improvisational ability and an unquenchable competitive desire, Jordan single-handedly redefined the NBA superstar. His accomplishments include : Rookie of the Year; Five-time NBA MVP; Six-time NBA champion; Six-time NBA Finals MVP; Ten-time All-NBA First Team; Nine time NBA All-Defensive First Team; Defensive Player of the Year; 14-time NBA All-Star; Three-time NBA All-Star MVP; 50th Anniversary All-Time Team; Ten scoring titles -- an NBA record and seven consecutive matching Wilt Chamberlain; Retired with the NBA's highest scoring average of 30.1ppg. ___________________________________________________________ _.

30. POSSIBLE ANSWERS
Michael Jordan is clearly the greatest player to ever live.

31. ORGANIZE A PARAGRAPH SEQUENTIAL ORDER
Please place the sentences in each question in sequential and logical order. Place the appropriate letter on the blank lines provided.

32. PARAGRAPH #1 A. Will it be sleek and modern with little decoration?
B. Or will they be manmade like concrete and steel?
C. An architect has many choices to make when designing a building.
D. The answer to these questions affects the appearance of a structure.
E. Finally, how will the building be used?
Topic Sentence: _______
Detail #1: _______
Detail #2: ________
Detail #3: ________
Wrap-Up: _______

33. PARAGRAPH #2
A. If you don’t listen to their stories, you can’t understand why they think the way they do.
B. The other campers listen.
C. After campers relax and learn to play games together, the talking begins.
D. Another might tell of a classmate killed on a bus by a suicide bomber.
E. One camper might tell of gunshots fired in his directions when he walked past an Israeli settlement on the way to school.
F. In the business of peace, listening is very important.
Topic Sentence: _______
Detail/Sentence #1: _______
Detail/Sentence #2: ________
Detail/Sentence #3: ________
Detail/Sentence #4: ________
Wrap-Up: _______

34. PARAGRAPH #3
A. Lastly, he wrote some of the most politically charged lyrics during times of crisis in our society.
Topic Sentence: _______
B. It is clear that Dylan is a talented musician and lyricist; one who gave his gifts to the world over many decades.
Detail/Sentence #1: _______
Detail/Sentence #2: ________
C. Bob Dylan is one of the most talented musicians of all times.
Detail/Sentence #3: ________
D. Another reason he is so critically acclaimed is because of his talents not only with the guitar but also with the harmonica and piano.
Detail/Sentence #4: ________
Wrap-Up: _______
E. He also has received numerous awards over the years including Grammy, Golden Globe and Academy Awards.
F. He is a singer-songwriter, a poet, a painter, a musician and more recently, a disc jockey.

35. PARAGRAPH #4 TS: _______ Detail #1: _______ Detail #2: _______
A. It is in conserving angular momentum as it shrinks to a smaller diameter.
TS: _______
B. Such a radio beam can account for the observed radio-frequency pulsations.
Detail #1: _______
Detail #2: _______
C. Such starts can arise from the gravitational collapse of a supernova’s core.
Detail #3: _______
D. If the star emits a beam of radiation, the beam is swept around like the beacon of a lighthouse.
Clincher: _______
E. A pulsar is thought to be a rapidly spinning neutron star.

36. PARAGRAPH #5 TS: _______ Detail #1: _______ Detail #2: _______
A. So by high school, I was ripe for anything, which turned out to be Decept.
TS: _______
B. I’d just started high school in Mahattan.
Detail #1: _______
C. It was 1986, and I was 15 years old living with my mom and sisters.
Detail #2: _______
Detail #3: _______
D. My sisters went to different schools and were different than me.
Detail #4: _______
E. I was more of a scrapper.
Clincher: _______
F. They never got pulled into gangs.

37. PARAGRAPH #6 A. I was mostly thinking about myself.
B. Like Derek, I didn’t have a clue I’d be in for that kind of violence.
TS: _______
Detail #1: _______
C. The Decepticon gang started in the early 1980s.
Detail #2: _______
D. He was an honor student before he eventually got shot in the head and became paralyzed.
Detail #3: _______
Clincher: _______
E. The male gang leader, Derek, became my boyfriend at one point.

38. PARAGRAPH #7 Detail #1: _______ Detail #2: _________
A. But it is evident that Amundsen has its students’ best interests in mind.
Detail #1: _______
Detail #2: _________
B. Another policy includes sweeping tardy students in the hallway.
Detail #3: ________
C. Some students think these policies are unfair.
Detail #4: ________
D. One policy requires students to wear their IDs at all times.
Clincher: _______
E. Amundsen High School implements policies to ensure student success.
F. A third policy encourages an appropriate dress code.
TS: _______

39. TOPIC SENTENCE PRACTICE
PICK A PARTNER, AND TOGETHER PRACTICE PERFECT TOPIC SENTENCE CONSTRUCTION BY RESPONDING TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:
1. If you could go anywhere in the world right now, where would you go?
2. If you could change one thing about your household, what would it be?
3. What is a wish you have for your family?
4. If you could be a professional sports player, which sport would you compete in?
5. What is your dream job?

40. TOPIC SENTENCE + 2 SUPPORTING DETAILS
CONTINUED PRACTICE…
6. What is the most important quality in a friend? Why?
7. What animal are you most like? Why?
8. If you could have one material possession that you don’t have now, what would it be? Why?
9. What is the best APP? Why?
10. What was your best Halloween costume? Why?

41. Practice!! (With a Partner)
Now let’s practice drafting entire paragraphs.
First, respond to the question in a complete paragraph individually.
Second, compare your response with your partner’s response.
Edit each other’s work if necessary.
Share with the whole class.
Question: What is your favorite movie and why?

42. And More Practice…
Question: If you could change one thing about AHS, what would it be? Why?
Who makes you smile a lot? Why?
Would you rather be always hot or always cold? Why?
What is the best gift you’ve received? Why?

43. ASSESSMENT
Now you will be evaluated on your understanding of paragraph construction.
On a separate sheet of paper, respond to the question below in a proper paragraph.
You will be evaluated.
Question: If you could only save one item (not people or pets) from your burning home, what would you save and why?

44. Group Work With a partner, edit the following paragraphs.
Make corrections.
Add words where needed.
Delete words or punctuation where needed.
Answers will be provided.

45. Paragraph #1
If I could save one item from my burning home it would be. a necklace that my great-grandmother gave to my mom to give to me. I would save my necklace because it means a lot to me. Also, it’s really special because my great-grandmother died before I was born. I would be devastated if the necklace burned in a fire.

46. Corrections
If I could save one item from my burning home it would be. a necklace that my great-grandmother gave to my mom to give to me. I would save my necklace because it means a lot to me. Also, it’s really special because my great-grandmother died before I was born. ***The third reason why I would save this neckace is because…I would be devastated if the necklace burned in a fire.

47. Paragraph #2
If I could save one thing from my house it would be my cell phone. the reason why is because that’s were I keep important photos. And also I play games on my phone. When I am bored, I use my phone. My cell phone is worth saving.

48. Corrections
If I could save one thing from my house it would be my cell phone. t (T) he reason why is (I would save my phone is because) because that’s were (where) I keep important photos. And also (Another reason I would save my phone is because) I play games on my phone. When I am bored, I use my phone. My cell phone is worth saving.

49. Paragraph #3
If I could save one item from my burning home, I would save my iPod. It is the biggest essential in my life. I can’t leave the house without it. Also, it has all of my personal stuff on it. My iPod is my life in electronic form.

50. Corrections
NONE!

51. Paragraph #4
If I could save one item from my burning house, is my PS3. I would save it because it is important to me. Another reason is that it was given to me by my favorite uncle. If I lost my PS3, I feel like I would lose a part of my uncle. This is why I would save my PS3.

52. Corrections
If I could save one item from my burning house, is(it would be) my PS3. I would save it because it is important to me. Another reason is (Another reason I would save it is) that it was given to me by my favorite uncle. If I lost my PS3, I feel like I would lose a part of my uncle. (This is why) I would save my PS3.

53. Paragraph #5
If I could save one thing from my burning home, it would be my family photo. I could remember my family if I could save my photo. I would also save a bracelet that my grandmother gave me. She was very important to me. I miss her, and the bracelet reminds me of her.

54. Corrections
If I could save one thing from my burning home, it would be my family photo. I could remember my family if I could save my photo. I would also save a bracelet that my grandmother gave me. She was very important to me. I miss her, and the bracelet reminds me of her. (the question asks for ONE item to be saved). Also, no clincher.
Clincher: Saving my family photo would be very important to me.