Writing the Basic Paragraph

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Writing the Basic Paragraph

• Writing Notes

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Main idea

• def. the big idea around which the entire
  paragraph is organized
• Every sentence in the paragraph should relate to
  the main idea.

3
Topic Sentence

• States the main idea of the paragraph
• It can occur anywhere in the paragraph, but its
  usually the first or second sentence.
• Contains the focus of the paragraph

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Major Details

• Support the Topic Sentence
• Carry the focus of the paragraph

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Minor Details

• explain/support/give specific details about the
  major details

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Minor Details include

• Sensory details
• Facts
• Examples

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Sensory Details

• Words that appeal to one of your five senses
  (sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell)

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Facts

• A fact is a statement that can be proved true by
  direct observation or by checking a reliable
  reference source

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Unity and Coherence

• When a paragraph has unity, all the sentences
  relate to the main idea.
• When a paragraph has coherence, the reader can
  see how ideas are related.
• One way to create coherence is to use
  transitional words and phrases. These are words
  and phrases that signal a change. They help
  sentence fluency and foster coherence and
  readability.

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When Writing a Good Paragraph

• Be sure all sentences relate to the focus given
  by the topic sentence
• In formal, standard writing, avoid the use of
  first and second person.
• Proofread for grammar, usage, and mechanics
  errors.
• Do not begin sentences with conjunctions

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When writing good paragraphs

• Do not end sentences with prepositions.
• Organize major details from the least to the most
  important.
• Use transitional words and phrases between major
  detail sentences.

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What is the paragraph formula?

• 1 topic sentence
• 3 major detail sentences
• 2 minor details for each major detail
• 1 concluding sentence
• transitional words and phrases