Get To The Point!
Writing Paragraphs
•
What is a paragraph?
• A paragraph is a group of sentences that tell you about a topic.
• They are the building blocks for longer pieces of writing.
•
What is the point of a paragraph?
• To expand upon a thesis statement and give the reader more
information.
•
What should be in a paragraph?
• A paragraph should include facts, examples, etc. that help to prove
the thesis statement.
What’s In A Paragraph?
Narrative
Descriptive

Narrative paragraphs tell a story.

Descriptive paragraphs collect
sights, sounds, smells, and tastes.

They should answer the question
“who, what, when, where, and
why.”

Descriptive paragraphs should
answer the question “what was it
LIKE?”

You could write a descriptive
paragraph to discuss an
experience, or to describe a
historical event.

You could use this type of
paragraph to begin a book report
or an essay that will analyze a
book or story.
Types of Paragraphs
Expository

Expository paragraphs are
factual paragraphs.

They should gather and explain
important facts and examples.

Persuasive

A persuasive paragraph lists
reasons and examples that
support your position.

This type of paragraph goes
with a persuasive essay where
you are seeking to convince
your reader of a truth.

You should always include facts
to support your position!
This type of paragraph is most
commonly used in social studies
and literary analysis.
Choose your paragraph based on the type of essay you are
writing!
Topic Sentences
The first step in writing a paragraph is to compose the topic sentence. A
topic sentence is the main point of your paragraph, i.e. what your paragraph
is about!
Make sure to indent your first sentence!
“Picnics are a great way to spend time with your family.”
“The French Revolution was partially caused by the state of the
economy in France.
“An author can express mood through the use of descriptive language.”
These topic sentence not only tell us what the paragraph will be about, but
also have a clear direction and focus.

1. Begin with your topic sentence. This sentence outlines
your point.

2. Construct 2 sentences that prove or explain your topic
sentence. Make sure you have at least 2 facts/quotes in
these sentences.

3. Restate your topic sentence differently!

4. Proof read to catch errors.
How To Construct A Paragraph
2. Writing the Body
• The body of the paragraph should include the facts/examples that support your
topic sentence.
• Stay on task! Continually refer to your topic sentence for direction.
• These are your DETAILS.
• Reasons- Answers the question “why.”
• Facts- Adds information that supports your main point.
• Examples- shows or illustrates the topic sentence.
• Explanations- makes an idea clearer.
“Picnics are a great way to spend time with your family. While on a picnic, a
family takes time to eat with one another. A picnic also encourages a family to
play with one another after they are done eating because there are no other
distractions.”

“The revolutionary war was fought
because both sides could not agree.
George Washington was a General in the
war. The British and the Colonists were
fighting over taxes.”

Why is this a BAD body paragraph?
◦ Because the body does not prove or support
the topic sentence.

How could we improve this paragraph?
◦ By adding facts and explanations in the body
of the paragraph that support the topic.
A BAD BODY PARAGRAPH

“The Revolutionary War was fought because Britain and
the Colonists could not agree over taxes. The British
wanted to tax the colonists in order to pay for the French
and Indian War. The colonists did not believe they should
pay taxes without a direct representative in Parliament.
This disagreement is one of the foundational causes of the
war.”

What makes this a GOOD body paragraph?
◦ The points in the body of the paragraph make sense, support the
topic, and are factual.
A GOOD Body Paragraph
Do

Stick to one idea.. If you transition
into a new idea, it belongs in a new
paragraph.

Be single minded! The entire
paragraph should have one single
focus, proving the topic sentence.

Include an introductory and closing
sentence.
Don’t

Put more than 1 main idea into
your paragraph.

Make a quote your entire
paragraph. Your paragraph should
have 3 sentences of your creation!

Use other’s work without citation!
Include facts and evidence that do
not directly relate to or prove your
point.
 Forget to write a conclusion that
sums up your paragraph!


Use quotes as references to your
analysis/explanation/main topic.

Vary your word choice. Don’t begin
each sentence with “I think..”
Do’s and Don’ts in Paragraphs