Your First Paragraph

1
Your First Paragraph

• Important Things to Know

2
The First Thing You Do

• Place a heading at the top right of your paper.
• Name
• Date
• Period
• Place the title on the top line in the middle.
• The paragraphs will always be titled by number.
• i.e. Paragraph 1, Paragraph 2, Paragraph 10, etc.

3
Organizing the Paragraph

• Every paragraph begins with the TOPIC SENTENCE.
• This sentence states the main idea of your
  paragraph and gives the reader an idea of what he
  or she can expect.
• i.e. On December 22, 1982, a great occurrence
  took place at Highland Hospital in Fargo, South
  Dakota Henry Falls came into the world as an
  eight pound bundle of joy.

4
Organizing the Paragraph (cont.)

• The following sentences make up what the reader
  would recognize as the BODY of the paragraph.
• These sentences further develop the TOPIC
  SENTENCE as well as support it.
• i.e. Born to Mr. and Mrs. Fred Falls, Henry spent
  the next three years of his life in the same city
  of his birth. ETC.

5
Organizing the Paragraph (cont.)

• The very last sentence of the paragraph is called
  the CONCLUSION SENTENCE.
• This should sum up what the writer has stated
  throughout the paragraph (from TOPIC SENTENCE
  through the BODY) and perhaps throw in a bit of
  wit and/or humor, if appropriate.
• i.e. Needless to say, Henry Falls made a very
  large impact on his family and friends, starting
  with his lengthy, difficult entry into this world
  and ending with his tragic, early departure from
  it.

6
Rules for Writing

• If handwritten, the paragraph must be legible!!!!
  (if I cannot read it, you will rewrite it)
• The following mistakes can seriously affect your
  grade
• Misspelled/Misused words (sp)
• Run On Sentences (ROS)
• Sentence Fragments (frag)
• Do NOT use contractions or informal language
  (i.e. slang, jargon) in your paragraphs.
• Use the third person point of view unless
  informed not to do so.