1. Creating topic sentences and paragraphs
What am I writing about?
Creating topic sentences and paragraphs

2. Identifying topics http://eslbee.com/topic_sentences.htm
People can avoid burglaries by taking certain precautions
Topic:-avoid burglaries
Controlling ideas-certain precautions
There are several advantages to growing in a small town.
Topic-growing in a small town
Controlling ideas-advantages
Fixing a flat tire on a bicycle is easy if you follow these steps.
Topic-fixing a flat tire on a bicycle
Controlling ideas-follow steps

3. Topics and Controlling Ideas
First identify the topic.
Topics cannot be too narrow or too broad
My favorite food (too broad)
My striped cat
Identify what you want to say about the topic
This is called the controlling idea. It helps to provide reasons for your paragraph.

4. Animals in danger of becoming extinct come from a wide range of countries.
Topic:
Controlling ideas:
Effective leadership requires specific qualities that anyone can develop.
Topic
In order to fully explore the wreck of the Titanic, scientists must address several problems

5. Find the topic What is the topic? What is the controlling idea?
Some kinds of mushrooms can be dangerous. Each year, many people are poisoned when they pick and eat mushrooms that they think are harmless. The “death cap” mushroom that grows in woods around the United States is one of the most deadly. Its poison works like the venom of a rattlesnake. The death cap looks very much like a common mushroom sold in grocery stores, but its poison can kill. Those who pick mushrooms to eat must be careful.
Pull out your examples from the paragraph? What is the concluding sentence?

6. Create a topic sentence and effective paragraph
Topic: the beach Controlling Idea: terrifying experience
Topic: loyal friendship Controlling idea: very important in a relationship
Topic: personal power Controlling idea: parents’ rule

7. What goes into supporting sentences
In order to support a topic sentence you must have
Facts and figures
Numbers or documented information
Examples
Stories
Details
Quotes from text or in the world
Description
Adjectives and adverbs used to describe

8. Create a topic sentence and effective paragraph
Put the following paragraph in order.
Babe Ruth was born February 6, 1895, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Babe Ruth played 21 seasons of professional baseball.
In 1927, he set a personal record by hitting 60 home runs in one season.
In his career, he hit 714 home runs.
Ruth batted in 2,209 runs.
He played in 10 World Series.

9. Create a topic sentence and effective paragraph
Two ways to organize paragraphs logical (does it make sense) chronological (time) Use page 7 of workbook to combine skill of sentence structure and paragraph structure.

10. Find the repeating information use pages 106-108 first
Chimpanzees may be one of the most intelligent animals in the world They are very smart There are chimps that have been trained to ride bicycles and to eat with forks. They are clever enough to invent all kinds of ways to get to their food. Chimps have been known to pile boxes on top of each other to reach food left in high places. Even though they are just animals, they are really very intelligent Some chimpanzees have been taught to communicate with people through the use of hand signals. Chimpanzees often surprise humans with their ability to learn.

11. Better Topic Sentences
Topic Sentences have two parts
Subject – who/what the paragraph is about
Argument or action – the important thing about the subject. It is what the reader needs to know
Ex: Although I have had many parties, my birthday party last Saturday was my best ever.
Some good sentence starters start with subordinate clauses
Since Although Even though Before As soon as
Ex: As soon as I hear the word party, I remember by biggest birthday party ever.
Let’s create our own:(hand out)

12. How to Move TRANS – as a prefix it means to move.
When used in a paragraph a transitional words moves from one supporting sentence to another
Examples that tell time are:
First, second, next, then, as, soon, at last, ……..
Examples that connect ideas are:
For example, also, in addition, for this reason, although, however, ………
Brain Pop

13. Can you find the transition words
The beginning of our vacation was full of disasters. First, our car would not start when we were ready to leave. It took a full hour to fix the problem. Then, we discovered that the dog had disappeared. After looking around the neighborhood, we found him under the house. At last, we pulled out onto the highway. Before long, we heard a siren screaming behind us. A police officer pulled us over and told us that we were speeding. Finally, with a sixty-dollar speeding ticket and a late start on our vacation, we were on our way.
Use transition practice sheet

14. Types of writing EXPLAIN- tells the reader how to do something
INFORMATIVE- gives information and shares knowledge
NARRATIVE- to tell a story
PERSUADE- convince or sway thought
COMPARE/CONTRAST- describe comparisons

15. How do I inform
Informative paragraphs provide the reader with information that they have learned from reading.
Most of these paragraphs use facts, figures, and details to support the information.
Ex: Chief Joseph was a famous leader for the Nez Perce, a Native American nation in the Northwest United States. In 1877, the United States government demanded that the Nez Perce move to a reservation in Idaho. Chief Joseph refused. After losing many battles in the U.S. troops, Chief Joseph and his followers tried to escape to Canada. Forty miles from the Canadian border, Colonel Miles, and his troops surprised the Nez Perce. Chief Joseph surrendered to Miles six days later. The courage of Chief Joseph deeply moved many Americans. They began to ask for better treatment for Native Americans