This is the paragraph, all written out:

Cats are polite. They walk quietly through the house, minding their own business. They purr softly instead of
barking their heads off. In fact, my cat Dixie never jumps at me with muddy paws. Instead, she rubs against my
legs until I pick her up.

Notice how the main idea, “Cats are polite,” becomes the topic sentence.

Paragraphs in the body of your essay (not the introduction or the conclusion paragraphs) need a topic
sentence and two or three sentences to explain or prove your topic sentence. These sentences answer “Why?”
or “Prove it!”

You can use examples, facts, logical statements, true stories, and so on. In the cat example, this student uses
statements (walk quietly and purr softly) and one example from her own experience with Dixie.

If you are writing an essay, you’ll want to fill out one chart for each paragraph in the body of your essay. Most
essays have at least three paragraphs in the body.

After you fill out one chart for each of your paragraphs, move the charts around to see which order you want to
put your paragraphs in. When you have decided on the order, write an introduction, then your three paragraphs
from your charts, and then a conclusion.
Now it’s your turn: Choose one of the following options.

Do you disagree with the paragraph about cats? Then fill in the chart and write a paragraph about dogs!
Choose an animal you love or can’t stand. Next, think of reasons why this animal would make a great pet (or a
terrible one). Then fill out the chart. Finally, use the information you put on the chart to write your own
paragraph.