A quick overview of how to write a paragraph with a choice of three practice prompts.

1. Writer’s WorkshopWriter’s Workshop
The ParagraphThe Paragraph

2. A “Legal” ParagraphA “Legal” Paragraph
• Must have a minimum of fourMust have a minimum of four
sentences:sentences:
–Topic SentenceTopic Sentence
–3 Support details/examples3 Support details/examples
–Concluding SentenceConcluding Sentence
–AudienceAudience

3. The Topic Sentence:The Topic Sentence:
Develops one main ideaDevelops one main idea
All other sentences support theAll other sentences support the
expressed ideaexpressed idea
Often begins the paragraph &Often begins the paragraph &
tells the reader what thetells the reader what the
paragraph is aboutparagraph is about

4. Topic Sentences: ExamplesTopic Sentences: Examples
 Many people need theMany people need the
companionship of other people.companionship of other people.
 Solving word problems in math isSolving word problems in math is
not so hard.not so hard.
 The legend of Johnny AppleseedThe legend of Johnny Appleseed
is based on the life of a realis based on the life of a real
person.person.

5. Adding Support Details (3)Adding Support Details (3)
 Support details “support” theSupport details “support” the
topic sentencetopic sentence
 ReasonsReasons
 ExamplesExamples
 Minimum of threeMinimum of three
 Stop Light or AccordionStop Light or Accordion

6. Concluding SentenceConcluding Sentence
Wraps up your paragraphWraps up your paragraph
Restates the general ideaRestates the general idea
using different wordsusing different words
Catchy but not too wordyCatchy but not too wordy

7. Transition WordsTransition Words
Moves writing
forward
First
Second
Third
After that
Next
Besides that
However
In addition
Moreover
When you complete
that step
The next thing to
do is
Therefore
Finally
In summary

8. My Favorite Subject
My favorite subject in school is world
history. In the first place, I love to learn
the geographical locations of the world map.
Besides that, it is interesting to know
important historical events. Finally, knowing
world history helps me to understand
today’s world. I love to read anything that
teaches me more about the history of
the world.

9. Your TurnYour Turn 
 Write:Write:

Your favorite subject in schoolYour favorite subject in school

A job you would like to haveA job you would like to have

The best pet a person can haveThe best pet a person can have

Number your paper from 1-3Number your paper from 1-3
•
Write 3 sentences about yourWrite 3 sentences about your
topictopic

10. Your TurnYour Turn
Use Transition wordsUse Transition words
Conclude your paragraph with aConclude your paragraph with a
restatement of your thoughtsrestatement of your thoughts
Share your paragraph with yourShare your paragraph with your
neighborneighbor

11. Sample Paragraph
• Jhan Moskowitz is the person who has had
a huge influence in my life. (topic sentence)
First, he was a superb academic advisor in
my college years.(SD-1)Besides that, his
teaching style influenced the way I teach
today.(SD-2) In addition, Jhan’s family
treated me like family when I attended
school in Chicago.(SD-3) No one will ever
match the impact his life had on mine.