Paragraph vs. Essay

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Paragraph vs. Essay
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What makes a paragraph?

• SENTENCES!

• Topic Sentence introduces topic

• Detail Sentences develop topic (3)

• Concluding Sentence Restates topic sentence

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group of sentences!
A paragraph

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What makes a paragraph?
Example
Topic
Fiction stories teach a lesson.
Fiction stories contain a problem
which is solved for the purpose of teaching the
reader a moral or lesson. The lesson that Norton
Juster teaches in The Phantom Tollbooth according
to the character, Rhyme, is Its not just
learning that is important. Its learning what
to do with what you learn and learning why you
learn things that matters. Milo used this
lesson to think his way out of the Doldrums and
save the princesses. I can use this lesson to
solve my problem with writing. If I apply what I
know about writing, it will make writing easier,
and I will get better at it. As a better writer,
I will have more success in school and in life.
Lessons learned by reading fiction can help
readers in their everyday lives.
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What makes an essay?

• PARAGRAPHS!

• Introduction introduces topic

• Body develops topic of essay (3)

• Conclusion restates introduction/summarizes

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group of paragraphs!
An essay

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What makes an essay?
Example
Topic
Fiction stories teach a lesson.
Fiction stories contain a problem which is
solved for the purpose of teaching the reader a
moral or lesson. The lesson that Norton Juster
teaches in The Phantom Tollbooth according to the
character, Rhyme, is Its not just learning that
is important. Its learning what to do with what
you learn and learning why you learn things that
matters. This lesson applies to both the story
characters and to the reader. The lesson
about learning applied mostly to the main
character, Milo. It was by using what he had
already learned in life to think his way out of
the Doldrums. As the story progressed, Milo
learned that the purpose of learning is to solve
problems. He used this knowledge to figure out
how to save the princesses from the
Castle-in-the-Air. He could not rely only on
himself, however. Tock also used the lesson to
help Milo, the Humbug, and himself escape the
Trap. As one reads the story and identifies with
Milo, he or she can see that this lesson applies
to ones own life as well. The moral of
this story can help me solve my problem with
writing. I hate writing. I can never think of
what to say or how to organize my thoughts to say
it. It is difficult and boring. If I apply the
lesson from The Phantom Tollbooth to my own life,
however, I can begin to make writing easier. I
already know that every sentence begins with a
capital letter and ends with a period. I know
that complete thoughts make sentences, and
sentences make paragraphs, and paragraphs make
essays. I can start there! As I continue to
learn more about the writing process, I will just
need to remember to use what I learn to make
writing easier. The only thing I have left to
remember is why I must learn to write. The
answer to that is that good writers do better in
school and in life. I certainly dont want to be
the one who makes my own life more difficult. As
a reader, I have learned an important lesson.
Fiction stories teach the story characters as
well as the readers important life lessons. The
Phantom Tollbooth teaches the reader to learn, to
use what is learned, and to know why it has been
learned. By doing this, one can solve problems
to achieve great things in life.
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• Paragraph
• or
• Essay?

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Friends? There are many lovely things in our
lives such as the fresh air on a winter day, the
beauty of the country in autumn, learning of love
and the growing of a friendship. Everyone has
friends or desires friends in the pursuit of
sharing emotions. Thus many people enjoy spending
most of their time with friends, like me, while
others prefer to remain alone. There is no doubt
one needs time for oneself. When I retreat to my
dorm at the end of the workday there is no one to
tell me what to do. I often write little secrets
in my dairy, enjoy soothing music without being
disturbed or read philosophy books. Being alone
provides a time to reflect and ponder ones
future life course, with a greater clarity and
purpose. Accompanied by many friends from the
dorm I would have no chance to relish such
retreats. On the other hand, spending time with
friends is stimulating and provides a mental
break from ones daily routine. Since I am a
sociable and open person, I invariably feel happy
and relaxed when I do things with my close
friends. We can take part in all kinds of
after-school activities such as playing
volleyball, swimming or climbing. Some profound,
or stimulating ideas often appear in my mind when
I am with such friends while being alone often no
such inspiration manifests. When I come with
friends I can always exchange views with them
about study, society or love thereby obtaining
some interesting information or knowledge. A
group of people provides a means of testing one's
ideas and learning from one another. When I
confront serious problems and I am unsure of
which course of action to pursue a close friend
provides a means of reassurance that I am not
alone in my way of thinking or chosen course of
action. Being with friends can be fun and aid
one in overcoming the trying periods in life.
Being happy in life means doing the things you
enjoy and having someone to share the feeling
with you. Being with friends most of time is an
enjoyable aspect of life for me as it is a source
of inspiration, satisfaction and ongoing
education.
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• Essay!

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They are everywhere. In fact, most places
require them. Some locations even require
specific kinds. They can indicate social status
or membership in a team. They can be protective
or decorative. They are shoes. And shoes can say
a great deal about their owners.           We've
all seen the signs. "No shirt, no shoes, no
service." This is, of course, a public health and
safety issue. Most people wear shoes in public
places. But the variety of shoes is amazing.
There are entire stores dedicated to selling
shoes. Shoes are important.      Athletic, or
tennis, shoes are probably the most common type.
Basic models are available for less than ten
dollars. Some name brands are more than one
hundred dollars. Regardless of cost, these kinds
of shoes are comfortable and practical for most
people, my family included. In fact, out of the
three pairs of shoes most often worn by myself
and my husband, the athletic shoes get the most
use. A basic tennis shoe indicates a
practical nature in the wearer. Dedication to
style or name brand loyalty is governed by the
amount of money a person is willing to spend.
Overall, tennis shoes work with jeans and shorts.
They hold up well in most types of weather. These
days there are even types that don't have to be
tied, or have an open back so the foot can just
slide in. So much for "Untie your shoe before you
cram your foot in!" (Sorry, mom).           
     Social status can be indicated by shoes.
Athletic teams usually wear the same kind
of shoe. So do some other cliques, in junior high
and high school, mostly. The fashionable kids
wear expensive, sometimes impractical shoes. The
shop and agricultural kids wear boots. Jocks wear
tennis shoes. Some things may never change. Shoes
can also indicate employment. Heavy
steel-toed work boots indicate factory, or
construction, or farm work. Fancy shoes are
reserved for sales or office positions. Athletic
shoes are worn by service and health aide
personnel.       My daughter is the shoe queen
in my house. She has fifty pairs of shoes. Half
of them she wears, up to three pairs a day,
depending on her outfit and mood. This reflects
her fun-loving, outgoing personality. The only
person I know who has more shoes is my friend
Christi. Her last estimated shoe count was over
one hundred and fifty pairs. It shouldn't be a
surprise that she is also a very social
person.      Shoes say a lot. Most of us are
practical. Some of us need to belong. A few of us
are fun. The next time you wonder, just look down.
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• Essay!

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• Stories contain a problem which is solved for
  the purpose of teaching the reader a moral or
  lesson. The lesson that Norton Juster teaches in
  The Phantom Tollbooth according to the character,
  Rhyme, is Its not just learning that is
  important. Its learning what to do with what
  you learn and learning why you learn things that
  matters. Milo used this lesson to think his way
  out of the Doldrums and save the princesses. I
  can use this lesson to solve my problem with
  writing. If I apply what I know about writing,
  it will make writing easier, and I will get
  better at it.

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• Paragraph!

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• The moral of this story can help me solve my
  problem with writing. I hate writing. I can
  never think of what to say or how to organize my
  thoughts to say it. It is difficult and boring.
  If I apply the lesson from The Phantom Tollbooth
  to my own life, however, I can begin to make
  writing easier. I already know that every
  sentence begins with a capital letter and ends
  with a period. I know that complete thoughts
  make sentences, and sentences make paragraphs,
  and paragraphs make essays. I can start there!
  As I continue to learn more about the writing
  process, I will just need to remember to use what
  I learn to make writing easier. The only thing I
  have left to remember is why I must learn to
  write. The answer to that is that good writers
  do better in school and in life. I certainly
  dont want to be the one who makes my own life
  more difficult. As a reader, I have learned an
  important lesson.

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• Paragraph!

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Don t come home with another
referral because you have been mouthing off to
your teacher again, said my dad, just as I was
walking out the door. In elementary school I had
a bad attitude, but since I have entered middle
school that has changed. I was always late to
school. Now I have to be on time. I barley ever
heard the word team work in school. That has all
changed. Mostly everything we do is in a group.
Don t mouth off to your teacher again
says my concerned father. Since elementary my
attitude has changed. Having six teachers is
great, but having six teachers that care for you
has made my attitude flip. In elementary I hated
school. I used to not want to get up in the
morning. In middle school it is great because you
have six teachers that make your frown turn
upside down. That makes me excited when I get to
go to school. That is one way middle school
changed me. When you come home I
don t want another letter saying you were late to
class again says my dad. In elementary I was late
all the time, but now, in middle school, I am
always on time. In middle school we only have
four minutes to get to class. If we are late we
have to go to time-out, and we get in huge
trouble. They call our parents and give us a
referral. Knowing I would get in trouble made me
on time more often. That is another way I have
changed in middle school. In middle
school I changed in my teamwork skills. We do a
lot of group activities in middle school. Mostly
everything we do is in groups. We mostly do
groups in math and language arts. When we do
teamwork skills we all have a job and we have to
work together which has boosted my teamwork
skills. That is another way middle school has
changed me. Changing is very hard.
When you have to do something you are not used to
doing, you could do it wronmg and everybody has
to stop what they are doing to help you. My dad
is happy that he doesn t have to yell at me about
being late, and mouthing off to my teacher. We
have less homework sence we have to do homework
in pairs.
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• Essay!

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Topic What is your most memorable life
experience? Paragraph

• Topic Sentence introduces topic

• Detail Sentences develop topic (3)

• Concluding Sentence Restates topic sentence

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Topic What is your most memorable life
experience? Essay

• Introduction introduces topic

• Body develop topic (3)

• Conclusion Restates introduction/summarizes