Jana Moon, Instructor

• A paragraph should focus on one topic or idea.  While the length of a paragraph can vary, we are generally looking for paragraphs of at least four to six sentences. 

• Topic Sentences are the key to an organized paragraph.  A topic sentence informs your reader that you have a topic.  A reader expects you to stay on topic throughout the paragraph.  Topic sentences should be general statements.  This is not the time for facts or details. 

• Details are the heart of the paragraph.  Every detail should relate back to that topic sentence.  If the detail doesn't fit, no matter how interesting the information, take it out of the paragraph.  Use details to prove what you said in your topic sentence.  Details allow you to show your thinking, offer examples, and paint more vivid descriptions. 

• Paragraphs have conventions.  The most important is indenting the first line.  If you are hand writing your work, indent about five letters.  If you are typing, use the TAB key. 

• If the paragraph is done well, all the smaller ideas contribute to the controlling idea.  

OF THE WRITING OF THE WRITING PROCESSPROCESS

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HOW CAN A HAMBURGER HELP STUDENTS WRITE WELL?

• Every story must have a strong beginning, middle, and end.

• The hamburger has three main parts: the • top bun, the middle section (meat, cheese, condiments), and the bottom bun.

• Top bun is the main idea/topic.• The meat, cheese, and condiments are the details that support the main idea.The bottom bun is the main idea/concluding thought.

HAMBURGER GRAPHIC PROVIDED

BY CARSON DELLOSA

What is narrative writing?

• It tells a story.• It has the elements of a short

story:-Character

- Plot -Setting - Theme

What is narrative writing?

• It tells a story.• It has the elements of a short

story:-Character

- Plot -Setting - Theme

What is narrative writing?(Continued)

• It has a beginning, middle, and end.

• It tells the order in which events take place.

• It is told from a particular point of view.

What is narrative writing?

• It tells a story.• It has the elements of a short

story:-Character

- Plot -Setting - Theme

What is an autobiographical incident?

• It is a type of narrative writing.• It tells a story about an event

in a person’s life.• It is written from events in the

person’s memory.• It expresses the person’s

thoughts and feelings.

• The Basics:• The idea with notes is that:

• You pay attention (and learn) while in class. (Just the act of writing it in the first place will help you to remember and learn it. Note taking enhances listening.)

• More importantly, you can review what was taught later on.

• In order to do this you need to:• GO TO CLASS!. Sit at the front of the class. You’ll pay attention better. Write legibly!

Stay awake.• Participate in class.

• Read the assignment before class, so you don't end up frantically noting information that you didn't know was in the reading.. Give yourself lots of space on the paper.  Write on a standard-sized notebook, skip lines, and leave blank space, write on the

right-hand two-thirds of the paper. You can write in further information later from things you remember and from your reading. In addition, it will be easier for you to

read it when you review. Highlight or star those items which need to be memorized. • Learn how to differentiate the essentials.  Don't write down unnecessary ramblings,

musings, stories, and so on and so forth. • Keep organized.

• Do actually review. Don’t just say you will. Notes are much more effective this way.• Use highlighters and different colored pens to mark up your notes and write in the

blank spaces. 

• http://www.noodletools.com/debbie/literacies/basic/paragraphart.html

• http://www.barrysclipart.com/

• http://www.animations.com/en/