1. Writing Paragraphs

2. Warm-Up One partner closes his/her eyes.
The other partner chooses an object.
Describe the object to the other person WITHOUT mentioning the name of the object.
The person with eyes closed can only say, “I need more details!” until they can guess what the object is.

3. Paragraphs What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of sentences that develops an idea.
The first sentence of a paragraph should be indented.
The sentences in the paragraph support and give examples of the main idea.

4. Paragraphs: A Bad Example
I live in a house in Horsethief. I like the view from our house. We have lived there since November. We also have a car that I like very much. We were in an accident a few months ago. We hit a deer that was crossing the street at night. I felt sorry for the deer, but it cost a lot of money to repair the car.

5. Paragraphs: A Good Example
My parents bought our first house last November, and we love it. It is located in Horsethief Ranch near Lake Elsinore. Although we cannot see the lake from our house, we do have a beautiful view of the mountains. Our house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living room and a family room, and a large kitchen and dining area. We also have a large backyard and a small garden. We are very happy to own our own home, and I hope that we will live there for several years.

6. Paragraph Structure I. Topic Sentence II. Supporting Detail
A paragraph should have a logical structure that is easy to put into an outline:
I. Topic Sentence
II. Supporting Detail
III. Explain, Examples, Explanations
IV. Explain, Examples, Explanations
Concluding Sentence
There are several patterns that you can choose from.
RDF HANDOUT-COLOR CODE

7. Topic Sentences Tells the reader the main idea of the paragraph
Should contain only one main idea. It should be specific and detailed.
The topic sentence is often found at the beginning of the paragraph, but it can be in other places, too.

8. Topic Sentences: Good Examples
When I was a child, I lived in a house that had a strange atmosphere.
There is a canyon in Northern Arizona that is the most beautiful place on Earth.
My favorite item of clothing is a comfortable, worn pair of jeans that I have had for many years.

9. Topic Sentences: Bad Examples
I went to the Grand Canyon this winter and to Mexico in the spring of 1994.
My friend is nice.
I like my bedroom.

10. Practice with Topic Sentences
Write a topic sentence for each of the following topics:
A) your favorite possession
B) an interesting person you know
C) a beautiful place

11. Reason, Detail, or Facts
Provide details, facts, observations, quotes, statistics, personal experiences, etc….
Use transitions, phrases, and linking words to help connect sentences and thoughts.

12. Response Frames for RDFs
One supporting point of__________ is_________
One fact in support of this is_________________
Another supporting point is__________________
Additionally, ________________________
Another fact in support of_________ is___________

13. Examples, Evidence, Explanations
Explain how your evidence connects to your topic.
Provide reasons
Proof

14. E’s Response Frames This shows that… This helps prove that…
This example demonstrates…
Evidence that shows this is…
Perhaps the strongest evidence is…
For example,
To illustrate,
For instance,

15. Restate the topic or your main idea Do not introduce new information
Concluding Statement
Conclusion
Restate the topic or your main idea
Do not introduce new information

16. Concluding Statement Response Frames
To sum up,
To conclude,
To summarize,
As stated, the ?
In brief,
Overall,

17. Practicing with Paragraphs
Think about one object you couldn’t live without
Prewrite about why that object is important
Choose one idea from your writing and create an outline for a well-structured paragraph using this idea.
Write the paragraph.