1. Organization
Paragraph Writing

2. Types of Paragraphs Narrative—story form
Descriptive—describes a scene or object
Expository—gives information
Persuasive—shares opinions, convinces others to agree or take action

3. Choosing which type
The type of paragraph you use will depend on your purpose for writing.
To entertain others or express yourself, use narrative or descriptive
To inform readers, use expository or narrative
To influence others, use persuasion

4. Parts of a Paragraph
Main idea is the message you are trying to get across.
Topic sentence states your main idea in one sentence, usually at the beginning of the paragraph.

5. Parts of a Paragraph, cont.
Supporting details explain and give evidence to support the topic sentence.
Conclusion is a final sentence which restates the main idea.

6. So What’s a “TEEC”? Topic Sentence Explanation
Evidence (often a story)
Conclusion

7. More about a TEEC Topic Sentence—main idea
Explanation—explains or makes the main idea clearer
Evidence—specific details to support the main idea; a personal story works well
Conclusion—restate the topic sentence

8. Example:
I love going to the beach. I love the sound, the smell, and everything in it. You can go scuba diving, get a suntan, or watch the itty-bitty creatures. You can watch beautiful sunsets. One of my favorite things to do at the beach is build sand castles. One time when I was eight years old, my family and I built a giant sand castle about six feet across. My dad

9. made a giant wall around it so the water couldn’t come in, while my brother and I put buildings around inside the wall. My mom and sister made the castle look decorative with bits of driftwood and things. The whole thing took about three hours to finish. That was my favorite day of going to the beach. The beach will always be one of my favorite places to go for vacation.

10. Another example:
Wesley Woods was the most exciting place to visit. The Challenge courses were a way to learn team building. The rapids were wild to kayak on. The wonderful worships at Nickel Lodge were led by Pastor Wright. One night we had a pillow fight in the lodge. It was a blast because they turned out the light,

11. boys vs. girls, and color pillows vs. white pillows
boys vs. girls, and color pillows vs. white pillows! Near the end we were exhausted from running around and hitting each other. People who visit the camp always want to go back.

12. Qualities of a Good Paragraph
Unity—make sure everything in the paragraph sticks to your topic
Coherence—keep everything in a logical order or sequence
Development—give three strong points of explanation, and use a story as supporting evidence
Word choice—use clear, vivid words
Editing—use correct capitalization, punctuation, and spelling skills.

13. Signal Term The word or words in the topic sentence which need support
Wesley Woods was the most exciting place to visit.
I love going to the beach.
One of my favorite places to visit is my grandfather’s farm.
I hate cooked carrots!

14. Assignment, part 1: Make a plan for a TEEC paragraph.
Your purpose is to convince or persuade someone
Choose a topic that you really love or hate, so that you can support it well
Identify who your “audience” or reader will be and make sure your information matches that.
Save all planning sheets and drafts, even if you rewrite!

15. Assignment, part 1: Fill out the planning sheet for a TEEC paragraph
Write a topic sentence stating your main idea. (Use the planning sheet.)
List three points to explain your topic and support your idea.
Think of a personal experience (story) you can tell to illustrate and support it.
Write a conclusion.

16. Assignment, part 2:
Write the first draft of your TEEC paragraph, using your planning sheet.
ALWAYS double-space your drafts, whether you use the computer or not.
SAVE all copies and all drafts!