Grammar Toolkit Paragraphs What is a paragraph Grammar

Grammar Toolkit Paragraphs What is a paragraph?

Grammar Toolkit Paragraphs A paragraph is a group of sentences about a topic, described in a topic sentence. All mammals are warm-blooded. Warm-blooded animals keep the same body temperature all the time. Most mammals are covered with fur or hair, which helps to keep them warm. Sea mammals without fur, such as whales, have a layer of fat to keep them warm. All reptiles are cold-blooded. They rely on heat from the sun … Show a new paragraph by indenting the first line from the margin or inserting a line break. topic sentences related to the topic

Grammar Toolkit Paragraphs A topic sentence is usually the paragraph’s first sentence, but it can appear in the middle of the paragraph or even at the end. Either way, all sentences must relate to the topic sentence. Which topic sentence is the best match for this paragraph? Fast food often contains high levels of fat, salt or sugar. It can be low in fibre, vitamins and minerals. It is popular with suppliers because it is cheap to make and can be stored a long time. Fast food is often served in ✗cartons or plastic bags. ✗My dad loves fast food. Fast food became popular as ✗more people bought cars. Fast food is quick to prepare but ✔may not be a healthy meal.

Grammar Toolkit Paragraphs can be any length, but very long paragraphs can be confusing and very short paragraphs give your writing a jerky feel. In nonfiction, a paragraph ends when the topic sentence has been completely discussed. You’ll see short paragraphs in newspapers and other texts where readers skim for main ideas. In fiction, a new paragraph: • signals a change in setting (time or place) • highlights a contrast • shows a change of speaker in dialogue • introduces a pause

Grammar Toolkit Paragraphs Where should this block of text be divided into paragraphs? Brooke felt lonely. She was sitting by herself under the sun shelter, eating a banana sandwich. Her best friend, Beatrice, was not at school today. Ruby dawdled up up to Brooke. “Hey, where’s Beatrice? ” sheshe asked. “She had“She to go had to to thegodentist, ” to the dentist, ” sighed Brooke. “Eeuuuwwww, ” said Ruby, screwing “Eeuuuwwww, ” up her face. said“Do Ruby, youscrewing want to draw up herpictures face. “Do with you me? want I’vetogot draw new textas. ” pictures with. Ruby me? I’ve unzipped got new hertextas. ” pencil case Rubyand unzipped showedher Brooke pencilthe case textas. and showed “They. Brooke have fat the tips textas. at one “They end and havethin fat tips at one the other. end and Have thina try. ”at. Ruby tips the passed other. Have Brooke a try. ” some paper, and the girls began to draw. Ruby drew Ruby a page passed of mermaids. Brooke some Brooke paper, tried andtothe draw girlsa began mermaid to draw. but it Ruby looked like a awhale, drew page of so mermaids. she scribbled Brooke all over tried it. to Instead, draw ashe mermaid showedbut Ruby it looked how to drawa on like whale, her thumb so she scribbled with the texta all over andit. then Instead, makeshe a thumbprint showed Ruby onhow the to page. on draw Sheher drew thumb six legs withonthe thetexta thumbprint. and then make a thumbprint on the page. She drew six legs on the thumbprint.

Grammar Toolkit Paragraphs • A paragraph is a group of sentences about a topic, described in a topic sentence. • All sentences in a paragraph should relate to the topic sentence. • Paragraphs can be any length, but very long paragraphs may confuse your reader and very short paragraphs give your writing a jerky feel. • In nonfiction, a paragraph ends when the topic sentence has been completely discussed. In fiction, a paragraph ends to show change, contrast, a change of speaker or a pause.

Grammar Toolkit Paragraphs The End