Use the colons of a traffic light to help you
$feen
yellow
red
green
urite a paragraph.
Go!
Write a topic sentence.
Slow dovyn!
Give a reason, detail, or fact.
Use a transition.
Stop!
Explain. Give an example.
Go back!
Remind the reader of your topic.
Writing a Paragraph
The three colors of the traffic light help me remernber how to write a simple
paragraph. First, I use green to get me going. My topic sentence is green; it tells the
reader what I am going to prove, explain, describe, or share. Next, yellow reminds
me to slow donnrn and support my topic with good reasons, interesting facts, or
well-described details. I introduce my reasons, details, or facts with transitions.
Finalh I see red and itreminds me to stop. Red examples, explanations, evidence,
and events brins myparagraph to kfe. My conclusion, of course, is green because I
go back to my topic and use ngr last sentence to remind the reader of the topic.
Eight Sentence Paragraph Example
The Tattered Cover
Bookstore
<-
title (green)
If you visit Denver, you will
want to make at least one trip to
our city's most famous bookstore,
the Tattered Cover" First, you'll be
impressed by the friend.ly
atmosphere. The displays make
books easy to find, and comfortable
chairs, perfect for readin& are
available everywhere. A cafe is
available for those who warrt to sip
coffee or enioy a pashry" Next,
you'Il appreciate the customer
senrice. Those who choose to work
at the Tattered Cover are readers
themselves, and they are arxious to
help customers find just the right
book. ln eaeh section of the store,
you'llfind trained employees who
know how and where to find the
book you want. Ask anyone in
Denver; they'll certainly
recommend the Tattered Cover.
<-
topic serrtence (green)
l
"(-
*-
key ideaplus kansition (yellow)
explanafion (red)
key idea plus kansition (yellow)
explanation (red)
{-
conclusion (green)
How Is My Paragraph?
Do you have a clear topic sentence?
Does it tell the reader what you will
prove or explain?
Go!
down!
M
Have you used reasons, details, or
facts to support your topics? Dicl
you include transitions?
Explain. Have you explained or
given examples for your reason.
detail, or fact sentences?
Wrap it up!
Go back!
it
Is your conclusion clear? Did you
remind yCIur reader of the topic?
H.T"W
Did you edit your paper? Did you
fix spelling, capitalization, anrJ
punctuation errors?
Turn in your
Is your paper neat and readable?
Does it say, "T've done my best"?
Check
BEST!