HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PARAGRAPH STEPBYSTEP PROCESS

HOW TO WRITE A GOOD PARAGRAPH STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS

STEP 1: DECIDE THE TOPIC OF YOUR PARAGRAPH First, look at the writing prompt or assignment topic. As you look at the prompt, note any key terms or repeated phrases because you will want to use those words in your response. Then ask yourself: “On what topic am I supposed to be writing? What do I know about this topic already? ” What does this assignment mean to me? How do I relate to it? After looking at the prompt and doing some additional reading and research (if necessary), you should better understand your topic and what you need to discuss.

WRITING TOPIC • At Columbia Academy all students are required to wear school uniforms. School uniforms consist if pants, kilts, ties, dress shirts, sweaters, shoes, and vests. Should all students be required to wear school uniforms at Columbia Academy ? Do they make the learning environment better? Explain your views on this topic in 1 or 2 well developed paragraphs. What is the question you need to answer? In your groups take 3 minutes and decide what needs to be answered.

TOPIC • At Columbia Academy all students are required to wear school uniforms. School uniforms consist if pants, kilts, ties, dress shirts, sweaters, shoes, and vests. Should all students be required to wear school uniforms at Columbia Academy? Do they make the learning environment better? Explain your views on this topic in 1 or 2 well developed paragraphs. See here how I have ‘attacked the writing prompt’ I’ve crossed out all information that is not the real question that I have to answer. Not all writing tasks are like this, but for times when you are answering a longer question, this is helpful.

STEP 2: DEVELOP A TOPIC SENTENCE • Before writing a paragraph, it is important to think first about the topic and then what you want to say about the topic. Most often, the topic is easy, but the question then turns to what you want to say about the topic. This concept is sometimes called the controlling idea. The topic – The main subject matter or idea covered in the paragraph. The controlling idea – This idea focuses the topic by providing direction to the composition (gives your opinion on the topic).

EXAMPLE • Read the following topic sentences. They all contain a topic (in red) and a controlling idea (in orange). When your paragraphs contain a clearly stated topic sentence such as one of the following, your reader will know what to expect and, therefore, understand your ideas better. Examples of topic sentences: • People can avoid plagiarizing by taking certain precautions. • There are several advantages to online education. • Effective leadership requires specific qualities that anyone can develop Now try one for our School Uniforms topic.

Topic Sentence Practice • Complete the worksheet about topic sentences. You should complete it individually, then we can share them and find the best ones. No translators or internet for this one! Do your best. Your best is good enough!

STEP 3: DEMONSTRATE YOUR POINT After stating your topic sentence, you need to provide information to prove, illustrate, clarify, and/or exemplify your point. Ask yourself: • What examples can I use to support my point? • What information can I provide to help clarify my thoughts? • How can I support my point with specific data, experiences, or other factual material? • What information does the reader need to know in order to see my point?

HERE IS A LIST OF THE KINDS OF INFORMATION YOU CAN ADD TO YOUR PARAGRAPH: • Facts, details, reasons, examples • Information from the readings or class discussions • Paraphrases or short quotations • Statistics, polls, percentages, data from research studies • Personal experience, stories, anecdotes, examples from your life Vocabulary Look For: Adding transitional or introductory phrases like: for example, for instance, first, second, or last can help guide the reader. Also, make sure you are citing your sources appropriately

SCHOOL UNIFORMS Now try writing between 3 and 4 sentences to provide support for your topic sentence. Complex Sentences: You should be trying to write more complex sentences and less short simple sentences and use academic vocabulary. Example: The Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman stood up in a corner and kept quiet all night, although of course they could not sleep. - After share your sentences with your groupmates. Each person take turns reading out their paragraphs to this point. - Give each other 1 bit of feedback (something they did well or something they can improve)

STEP 4: CONCLUDE • After illustrating your point with relevant information, add a concluding sentence. • Sometimes you are only writing 1 paragraph so your concluding sentence should be strong and summarize your feeling on the topic. • Sometimes concluding sentences link one paragraph to the next and provide another device for helping you ensure your paragraph is unified.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A CONCLUDING SENTENCE First, they draw together the information you have presented to elaborate your controlling idea by: • Summarizing the point(s) you have made. • Repeating words or phrases from the topic sentence. Second, they often link the current paragraph to the following paragraph. Vocabulary/Grammar Look For: #1 Using linking words that indicate that conclusions are being drawn (e. g. , therefore, thus, resulting). Vocabulary/Grammar Look For: #2 Introducing a word/phrase or new concept which will then be picked up in the topic sentence of the next paragraph by using words or phrases that point ahead (e. g. , the following, another, other).

YOUR TURN Try writing your own concluding sentence to your school uniforms paragraph.

Paragraph Writing Success Criteria: • In order to write a quality paragraph you must have the following: 1. A clear topic sentence 2. Supporting details (examples, reasons, facts, information and stories) 3. Concluding sentence • BONUS Excellent Grammar!

Sample Paragraphs • Read the sample paragraphs you have been given (they have all been taken from various IELTS Academic Writing Exams therefore I did not write them, but chose them specifically for this task) and complete the task on the sheet.

Write your first paragraph • Write 1 – 2 paragraphs on the following question: The past two weeks here in Vancouver have had some really poor air quality. The reason for this is the wild fires that are still burning here in British Columbia. Some feel the wild fires are because of how badly we treat the environment. How can you as a young person help the environment? Write 1 – 2 paragraphs expalining a way that you can help our environment. Be sure to provide details.

Share your paragraph • Let someone in your group read your paragraph. • When you read see if it meets the success criteria. Underline their topic sentence, highlight their supporting details, and circle their concluding sentence. • Give some feedback: What did they do well? How can they improve?