Instructional Module

Level: 7th Grade- Level: 7th Grade-

9th Grade9th Grade

Topic: Paragraph Topic: Paragraph WritingWriting

IntroductionIntroduction

Hi! In this module we’re going to talk about what is a paragraph and its parts. You will have a chance to construct your own paragraph about any topic you would like. But before that let’s see what you know about a paragraph and its different parts. You will answer a short quiz. Don’t worry about your answers they are just to let you know what you already know. So join our Super Heroes through this lesson and become part of the team!

Hi! I’m Mr.. Incredible. Why don’t you read

what you’re going to learn and have fun!

Pre-QuizPre-QuizChoose the correct answer.

1. A paragraph is __________.a. made up of only one sentence.b. a series of sentences that talk about a specific subject.c. a series of sentences that talk about various topics.

2. A paragraph has only ________ parts.a. fiveb. eightc. three

3. A paragraph consists of ______________.a. topic sentence, body and closing sentence.b. body and closing sentence.c. topic sentence and closing sentence.

Hello! I’m Elastigirl. You’re

part of our team! You can

do it!

The Incredibles Present:The Incredibles Present:

Writing ParagraphsWriting Paragraphs

The IncrediblesThe Incredibles

Together we’ll explain what a paragraph is and how to

construct one!

Hi! I’m Violet Parr. Here’s a

definition of what a paragraph is!

A ParagraphA ParagraphIs a group of sentences sharing ideas about one subject.

You can…

1. describe someone or something,

2. tell about an event or experience,

3. explain or give information about a subject, or

4. give your opinion about something.

Hey! Get a load of all what we’re

going to learn!

What’s AheadWhat’s Ahead

The Basic Parts of a Paragraph

Topic Sentence The Body Closing Sentence

Wow! I didn’t know there were three parts in a

paragraph!

The Basic Parts The Basic Parts of a Paragraphof a Paragraph

A paragraph has three parts. It usually begins with a topic sentence. The sentences in the middle part make up the body of a paragraph. The last sentence is called the closing sentence.

Say!! So that’s a topic sentence! Don’t forget

the focus!

The Topic SentenceThe Topic Sentence

A paragraph begins with a topic sentence : a sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph is about. A topic sentence has two main parts: a specific subject and a focus.

The SubjectThe Subject

The subject of a topic sentence has to be specific or small enough to explain in one paragraph. You couldn’t write a paragraph on “the history of flight.” It would be too long! But you could write a paragraph on “a plane trip you took.” That subject is more specific!

Hmm! The subject has to be specific!!

The FocusThe Focus• You need more than a

subject to write a topic sentence. You also need a focus. A focus is usually a feeling or an attitude about the subject. It lets the reader know what you’re going to say about the subject.

• Here is a simple formula that makes it easy whenever you have to write a paragraph.

Let me get a pencil to write down that

formula!!

Sample Topic SentenceSample Topic Sentence

Subject (Who? Or What?)

+ Feeling/ Focus (What about it?)= Topic Sentence

Kim and Maria had very different reactions (focus) to their first airplane ride (specific subject).

I wonder if it’s describing my body!

The BodyThe Body

The middle of the paragraph is called the body. It includes the sentences between the topic sentence and the closing sentence. These sentences must give the reader all the information needed to understand the topic. Continuing are sentences that could follow the topic sentence in a paragraph about “Kim and Maria’s First Plane Ride”.

Sample BodySample BodyThe girls went to visit their friend, Lisa, in California last month. Kim enjoyed the trip. She loved the speed of the plane at the take off. She liked the movie she saw on the plane, and she had a good time looking out the window at the clouds and the cities and towns below. Maria did not enjoyed herself. She was afraid to be so high in the air. Her ears hurt her for a lot of the ride and she had already seen the movie. She could not eat anything, and she did not want to look out the window.

Cool! Interesting

details!

The Closing SentenceThe Closing Sentence

A paragraph ends with a closing sentence. This sentence may sum up the information in the paragraph, or tell what it means. Continuing is a sample closing sentence that could be used after the “Sample Body”.

Sweet! We’re almost finished

with the paragraph!

Sample Closing SentenceSample Closing Sentence

Kim and Maria have very different feelings about riding in an airplane.

We’re almost there!! Zap! Our

paragraph is done!

Take NoteTake Note

If you put the Sample Topic Sentence, Sample Body, and Sample Closing Sentence together, you’ll have a Paragraph!

Wow! This is easier than I thought!

Kim and Maria’s First Plane RideKim and Maria had very different reactions to

their first airplane ride. The girls went to visit their friend, Lisa, in California last month. Kim enjoyed the trip. She loved the speed of the plane at the take off. She liked the movie she saw on the plane, and she had a good time looking out the window at the clouds and the cities and towns below. Maria did not enjoyed herself. She was afraid to be so high in the air. Her ears hurt her for a lot of the ride and she had already seen the movie. She could not eat anything, and she did not want to look out the window. Kim and Maria have very different feelings about riding in an airplane.

Closing Sentence

Sample ParagraphSample Paragraph

Topic Sentence

B

O

D

Y

Post-QuizChoose the correct answer.

1. A paragraph is __________.a. made up of only one sentence.b. a series of sentences that talk about a specific subject.c. a series of sentences that talk about various topics.

2. A paragraph has only ________ parts.a. fiveb. eightc. three

3. A paragraph consists of ______________.a. topic sentence, body and closing sentence.b. body and closing sentence.c. topic sentence and closing sentence.

You made it! Now you’re part of our

Super Heroes!

Congratulations!Congratulations!