WRITING A PERFECT PARAGRAPHFrom brainstorming to publishing

CHOOSE A TOPIC A paragraph is a group of sentences that

develop or explain a single topic. That means that for one paragraph, your

topic should be limited. TOO BROAD BETTER CHOICE Dogs Hunting skills of a Black Lab Storms’ Effects Effects of the hail yesterday

CHOOSE METHOD OF DEVELOPMENT

Type ADVANTAGES

DRAWBACKS

researchProvides lots of detailsCan involve books or websites

Will not work for personal topics

brainstorming

Can work well for “list” topicsWorks well on topics you know

Does not provide depth

observationIs personalCan be done by the writer w/o books

Is personal Limited to what you have experienced

SELECT PATTERN OF ORGANIZATION

ORGANIZE YOUR INFORMATION Use a graphic organizer

CRAFT A TOPIC SENTENCE

The topic sentence expresses the

main idea of your paragraph.

A TOPIC SENTENCE should be

interesting and make a

statement.

YOU CHOOSE:This is my paragraph about Labrador Retrievers and hunting.

ORLabrador Retrievers have several qualities which make them perfect hunting companions.

YOU CHOOSE:This is my paragraph about Labrador Retrievers and hunting.

ORLabrador Retrievers have several qualities which make them perfect hunting companions.

BOOO!

TOPIC SENTENCES ARE LIKE UMBRELLAS

Every detail has to fit the topic sentence

WHICH WON’T FIT? If the topic sentence is: Labrador

retrievers have many qualities that make them ideal hunting companions.

Which sentence would NOT belong in the paragraph?

Labrador retrievers often compete at famous dog shows.

OR Labrador retrievers can carry objects in

their mouths with great gentleness, which allows them to retrieve ducks that have been shot.

WHICH WON’T FIT? If the topic sentence is: Labrador

retrievers have many qualities that make them ideal hunting companions.

Which sentence would NOT belong in the paragraph?

Labrador retrievers often compete at famous dog shows.

OR Labrador retrievers can carry objects in

their mouths with great gentleness, which allows them to retrieve ducks that have been shot.

BOO

USE DETAILS TO COMPOSE

Labrador retrievers have many qualities that make them ideal hunting companions. These dogs have an even temperament, and can be trained not to bark and disturb game birds. Labs were bred for swimming to retrieve ducks and therefore have webbing on their paws. This breed is noted for excellent swimming ability which ensures their safety when hunting waterfowl. Labrador retrievers can carry objects in their mouths with great gentleness, which allows them to retrieve ducks that have been shot. Labs are also loyal and loving, and not likely to run away when in the field.

LABS

Get BACK ON TASK and stop

looking for puppy pictures!

THIS IS THE END, MY FRIENDFINALLY, write a concluding

sentence. The concluding sentence sums up your ideas or restates the main idea from the topic sentence.

WHICH IS BETTER?

I hope you like my ideas about Labs. OR All of these traits enable the Labrador

Retriever to accompany its owner on a hunting excursion.

OR

To conclude, Labs are good dogs for families.

WHICH IS BETTER?

I hope you like my ideas about Labs. OR All of these traits enable the Labrador

Retriever to accompany its owner on a hunting excursion.

OR

To conclude, Labs are good dogs for families.

NO

LET’S REVIEW!A Topic Sentence is like:A. an umbrellaB. a rainstormC. ArkansasD. a smile

LET’S REVIEW!A Topic Sentence is like:A. an umbrella

B. a rainstorm

C. Arkansas

D. a smile