BUILDING A GOOD PARAGRAPH

OR: SAYING IT WITH STYLE!

FIRST WRITE A SIMPLE TOPIC SENTENCE

The topic sentence tells what the paragraph is going to be about.

EXAMPLE: I am proud of the fact that I made the Honor Roll this six weeks.

NEXT, EXPLAIN WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT.

You should define terms that may be unfamiliar to your reader.

Pretend your reader knows absolutely nothing about what you are talking about.

EXAMPLE: The Honor Roll at my school is only for students who make all A’s and B’s. Not everyone makes it.

ELABORATE Elaboration is simply more

explanation. For example, you may tell about your efforts to make the Honor Roll. Use more than one sentence if necessary.

EXAMPLE: This six weeks, I had four A’s and three B’s. I had A’s in Math, Science, Computer, and PE. I made B’s in English, Reading, and Art.

MAKE YOUR POINT

You should tell why what you are talking about is important. You have defined terms, and elaborated. Now bring your point home.

EXAMPLE: I’m told that making the Honor Roll helps you get into a good college. Right now, though, I’m glad that my parents will be proud.

FINISH IT

Don’t just stop writing. Write a good strong closing sentence. It should be simple (one subject/one verb). You might wish to re-state your topic in a slightly different way.

EXAMPLE: Making the Honor Roll makes me very proud.

I am proud of the fact that I made the Honor Roll this six weeks. The Honor Roll at my school is only for students who make all A’s and B’s. Not everyone makes it. This six weeks, I had four A’s and three B’s. I had A’s in Math, Science, Computer, and PE. I made B’s in English, Reading, and Art. I’m told that making the Honor Roll helps you get into a good college. Right now, though, I’m glad that my parents will be proud. Making the Honor Roll makes me very proud.