How to Write the Perfect Paragraph!

8th Grade

Language Arts

Types of Paragraphs1. Everything about the house next door was eerie.

1. Descriptive2. It all began when one day, as I entered the cafeteria, I heard a

sound like beating drums.1. Narrative

3. Today, engineers are hard at work designing “green” cars- cars that will decrease pollution.

1. Informative4. Our schools must not cut back on physical education.

1. Persuasive

In groups, develop the main idea of one of these topic sentences. What kind of details will you need? What are the steps to follow? Please write the paragraph in your spiral notebook.

Topic Sentence & Supporting Details

• A paragraph should develop a single main idea – Usually expressed in a topic sentence

• Can be stated or implied

– Other sentences in the paragraph are called supporting details

• Support the main idea• Focus & structure = Paragraph Unity!

• Student lesson summary (keep in binder)

Topic Sentence and Supporting Details continued…

• Brainstorm topics• Choose a topic and write a topic sentence• What is the purpose?• Supporting details? • Write the paragraph!

– Arrange sentences– Add transitions/link ideas

• Evaluate for paragraph unity• Develop another topic from our list

Topic Sentence and Supporting Details continued…

Topic Sentence:Supporting Detail Supporting Detail Supporting Detail Supporting Detail

Clincher Sentence:

Topic Sentence and Supporting Details continued…

Topic Sentence (main idea):

Supporting Detail

Elaborate?

Supporting Detail

Elaborate?

Supporting Detail

Elaborate?

Supporting Detail

Elaborate?

Your turn!

• Choose three of the four paragraph types, and write one paragraph for each . You will have THREE paragraphs when you are done.

• Today (and HW): Use a paragraph shaping sheet to draft your ideas.

• Tomorrow (library lab): Type the final draft paragraphs. Add a fun image!

• TOPIC-- Halloween