Writing a Paragrap

h
Integrated Skills I
Review

Compound Sentences

• FANBOYS

• Other Conjunctions

• The Magical ‘;’

Before we begin...
Pop Quiz!
What is the first thing you do when planning
to write a paragraph, essay, report etc.?

RESEARCH DECIDE ON A TOPIC BRAINSTORM OPEN YOUR WORD

PROCESSOR
What is Brainstor
ming?
Brainstorming is an informal way of generating topics to write
about, or points to make about your topic.
or in simpler terms....
Why do we need
to do it?
How do you do i
t?
Bubble Charts

Brain Writing

Venn Diagrams (Compare and Contrast)

Starbursts (Narratives)

Flow Charts (Timelines, Sequence of Events)

etc.
Let’s Make a Bubble Char
t!
Prompt: What is your favorite season, and why?
Let’s Try Brain Writing!
Theme: Anime
 Let’s Make a V
enn Diagram!
Prompt: Disney World vs Universal Studios
Let’s make a Starburst
Prompt: Your favorite memory.
 Who

What How

When Why

Where
Let’s Make a Flow Char
t!
Task: How to get a Student F1 visa after being acce
pted to an American University.
Pop Quiz!
 After you finish brainstorming and choose a theme, what i
s the next step?

WRITE THE OPEN THE WORD CREATE AN OUTLINE EAT A SNACK

PARAGRAPH PROCESSOR
An outline is
a tool used t
o organize y
our ideas an
d lay them o
ut in a form
that is easy t
o follow.
Parts of a Paragraph

• Intro Sentence:

Introduces the main idea of the paragraph.

• Supporting details:

2 to 3 arguments with examples that support the main idea.

• Conclusion Sentence:

Restates the main idea in different words.

 • States the main idea-a general statement
The Topic
Sentence

• Clarifies any difficult or unclear terms in the topic sentence.

Explanation or • Alternatively: Introduces the evidence
Definition
(Optional)

Supporting • Supports or develops the main idea with facts, examples, experiments, quotes, etc.
Statements Evidence

• Explains what the evidence means and how it relates to your theme
• Supports or develops the evidence with analysis or further info. (e.g. opposing or contrasting points to broaden the
discussion)
Comment • If appropriate, mention other evidence (examples/studies/experiments/interpretations) to widen the discussion.

• States the implications or consequences of the paragraph

• Shows the development of the Argument
Concluding
• Links back to the topic sentence (may use similar or key words to topic sentence)
sentence • Links or forwards to the main idea of the next paragraph.
How to Write an Outline
(Example)
• Prompt: Write a paragraph detailing the benefits of fruit as part
of a balanced diet.

• Topic Sentence: Though many doctors warn against fruit due t

o its high sugar content, many fruits contain essential vitamins
and nutrients required for our daily lives.

• Detail 1: Bananas and Oranges – Potassium Vitamin C

• Detail 2: Apples – Fiber
• Detail 3: Super Fruits – Kiwi

• Conclusion: Fruit, in moderation, is a delicious and nutritious

way to maintain a healthy diet.
Pop Quiz!
After you finish your outline, what do y
ou do next?

Please be Eat a Snack Go for a Walk

Watch a Movie Write a Paragraph!!!

Be One with the Flo
w
• Flow
• All sentences in a paragraph should logical
ly connect to the previous.

• Unity
• A paragraph should discuss only one idea.
i.e. do not discuss advantages and disadva
ntages of a theory – split these parts of the
argument into two separate paragraphs.
• The opening sentence of paragraph should
outline the main idea (topic sentence).
• Every supporting sentence should directly
explain, refer back to, or build on the main
idea.
• Use the final sentence to refer back to the t
opic sentence and/or lead into the followi
ng paragraph.

This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

 The WEED Mod
• Welis for What. The first sentence of your pa
ragraph should make it clear what subject y
ou are covering - the topic sentence.
• E is for Evidence. You need to support your
views with quality research, and then refere
nce it.
• E is for Example. You should consider whet
her you need to provide examples to illustr
ate your subject.
• D is for Do. This may be a summing up, or s
tating the implications of your evidence, e.
g. why the subject supports your argument.
This is especially important if you've been a
sked to critically analyze. This part is often
missed but shows you understand what yo
u've been reading.
 Review

The Steps In Writing a Paragraph

1. Brainstorm
2. Select a Theme
3. Write an Outline
4. Write your Paragraph
5. ???
6. Profit