Do Now/ Quick Write #20:

• How many sentences do you think an How many sentences do you think an effective paragraph should have? Why? effective paragraph should have? Why? Give at least Give at least one reason one reason to support to support your answer. your answer.

• What do our responses reveal about What do our responses reveal about what we know to be the criteria of what we know to be the criteria of building an effective paragraph?building an effective paragraph?

Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by focusing on a main point with focusing on a main point with topic sentences?topic sentences?

• Five Keys to an Effective ParagraphFive Keys to an Effective Paragraph

1.1. Focus on a main pointFocus on a main point2.2. Develop the main pointDevelop the main point3.3. Choose a suitable pattern of Choose a suitable pattern of

organizationorganization4.4. Make paragraphs coherentMake paragraphs coherent5.5. If necessary, adjust paragraph If necessary, adjust paragraph

length length

Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by focusing Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by focusing on a main point with on a main point with topic sentences?topic sentences?

Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by focusing on a main point with focusing on a main point with topic sentences?topic sentences?

• Stating the Main Point in a Stating the Main Point in a topic topic sentencesentence::–One sentence summary of the One sentence summary of the

paragraph’s main pointparagraph’s main point–Acts as a sign post in two directionsActs as a sign post in two directions–Like a thesis or controlling ideaLike a thesis or controlling idea–Usually comes at the beginning Usually comes at the beginning

Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by focusing on a main point with focusing on a main point with topic sentences?topic sentences?

Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by focusing on a main point with focusing on a main point with topic sentences?topic sentences?

1.1. For a paragraph in an essay about US For a paragraph in an essay about US murder convictions, which would work well murder convictions, which would work well as a topic sentence?as a topic sentence?

• Mumia Abul-Jamal was convicted of Mumia Abul-Jamal was convicted of murdering a police officer in 1981.murdering a police officer in 1981.

• Mumia Abul-Jamal’s conviction shows us Mumia Abul-Jamal’s conviction shows us that the US justice system is not always fair that the US justice system is not always fair and impartial. and impartial.

Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by focusing on a main point with focusing on a main point with topic sentences?topic sentences?

2. For a paragraph on a paper about 2. For a paragraph on a paper about recycling, which version would work recycling, which version would work better as a topic sentence?better as a topic sentence?

• Obsolete computers need to be Obsolete computers need to be recycled so they do not leak toxic recycled so they do not leak toxic substances into soil.substances into soil.

• Many offices generate waste by Many offices generate waste by updating their equipment often. updating their equipment often.

Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by focusing on a main point with focusing on a main point with topic sentences?topic sentences?

3. In a paper on the benefits of cell phones in 3. In a paper on the benefits of cell phones in third world countries, which would work third world countries, which would work better as a topic sentence?better as a topic sentence?

• Cell phones are dramatically improving lives Cell phones are dramatically improving lives in third world countries.in third world countries.

• In India, fishermen and farmers living in In India, fishermen and farmers living in areas without a phone are using cell phones areas without a phone are using cell phones to market their products. to market their products.

Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by focusing on a main point with focusing on a main point with topic sentences?topic sentences?

4. In a paper surveying the study of 4. In a paper surveying the study of recent weight loss, which would work recent weight loss, which would work better as a topic sentence for a body better as a topic sentence for a body paragraph?paragraph?

• A recent study suggests that eating the A recent study suggests that eating the same thing every day can help you lose same thing every day can help you lose weight.weight.

• Would you believe that eating boring Would you believe that eating boring food can help you lose weight? food can help you lose weight?

Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by focusing on a main point with focusing on a main point with topic sentences?topic sentences?

5.5. In a paper about commuting patterns in the U.S., In a paper about commuting patterns in the U.S., which sentence would work well as a topic sentence?which sentence would work well as a topic sentence?

• The 2000 census figures indicates that Americans are The 2000 census figures indicates that Americans are willing to accept a commute of an hour or more if willing to accept a commute of an hour or more if moving to a distant area means that they can afford a moving to a distant area means that they can afford a larger house.larger house.

• According to 2000 census figures, the average amount According to 2000 census figures, the average amount of time an American spends commuting to work is of time an American spends commuting to work is twenty-four minutes.twenty-four minutes.

Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by Aim: How do you build effective paragraphs by focusing on a main point with focusing on a main point with topic sentences?topic sentences?

Paragraph/Topic SentenceParagraph/Topic Sentence

• Which is the most Which is the most focused paragraph focused paragraph in the essay?in the essay?

• Which has the most Which has the most effective topic effective topic sentence according sentence according to our criteria? to our criteria?

ReasonReason• Working with your Working with your

group, explain why and group, explain why and how the paragraph you how the paragraph you chose is the most chose is the most focused.focused.

• Be sure to consider the Be sure to consider the criteria from today’s criteria from today’s lesson. lesson.