ORGANIZATIONAL STRATEGIES
Developing An Organized Paragraph
Basic Paragraph Structure

Level D
Paragraph Basics
PARAGRAPH

Paragraph: A group of sentences that tell about a single topic or thought

Main Idea A paragraph begins with a main idea sentence that tells the reader what the paragraph is about. A main idea sentence answers the questions:
What is the paragraph about?
What is the main point I want to make?
What do I want to say?
Body
Details
 After the main idea sentence is written, body sentences that give supporting details are added. These sentences:
Are related to the main idea.
Give more information about the main idea.

Body sentences can include:

Facts
Details
Explanations
Reasons
Examples
Illustrations
Ending
Sentence
 Write a closing sentence to end your paragraph. A sentence that ends a paragraph is either:
a summary sentence that uses slightly different words to restate your main idea and supporting details

OR

a conclusion sentence that makes a judgment based on your main idea and supporting details

A SAMPLE PARAGRAPH

Main Idea
 Reading is my favorite activity.
Body
Details
 I used to read once in a while. Now I read every day. I go to the library every month to choose a new book to read.

I enjoy reading biographies the most. Biographies teach us how real people learn to overcome troubles they face in their lives. 

One person I have enjoyed reading about is Helen Keller. She was born in 1880 and died in 1968. When she was a baby she had an illness that left her blind and deaf. A teacher helped her to learn how to read, write, and speak.
Ending
Sentence
(Conclusion)
 Helen Keller's life story shows me that it is important to have the courage to learn. Her story tells me that I can learn new things that will make my life better too.
When put together, the paragraph pieces look like this:
        Reading is my favorite activity. I used to read once in a while. Now I read every day. I go to the library every month to choose a new book to read. I enjoy reading biographies the most. Biographies teach us how real people learn to overcome troubles they face in their lives. One person I have enjoyed reading about is Helen Keller. She was born in 1880 and died in 1968. When she was a baby she had an illness that left her blind and deaf. A teacher helped her to learn how to read, write, and speak. Helen Keller's life story shows me that it is important to have the courage to learn. Her story tells me that I can learn new things that will make my life better too.
Paragraph Writing Activity 1:
Print a copy of the "My Paragraph" handout. Refer to the Paragraph Basics sections above (main idea, supporting details, and summary or conclusion).
Use the top section of the handout to write notes about your paragraph.

Use the bottom section of the handout to work from your notes to begin writing your paragraph sentences.

Use one of the following topics, or one of your own, to develop some ideas for writing your paragraph:
A person who has made a difference in my life is ...
My favorite book is ...
My favorite movie is ...
My favorite season of the year is ...
A day I will never forget is when ...
Something that makes me angry is ...
Something that makes me happy is ...
Paragraph Writing Activity 2:
Use the "Paragraph Writing Checklist" to look for areas you may need to revise.
Paragraph Writing Activity 3:
 
1. Review your paragraph with your teacher.
   
2. Make any revisions you think are necessary.
   
3. Put your notes, revisions, and final paragraph in your writing portfolio.
Northern Berkshire Adult Basic Education Program 
The ELA Writing Curriculum Frameworks Project is funded by a grant from
  MA Department of Education, Adult and Community Learning Services.
  ELA CF Writing Project Home Page 
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