Parts of a Paragraph

PARAGRAPH PART SENTENCE TYPE Topic Sentences Strategy Puzzle: Part I

A topic sentence:

*______

*______Examples of Topic Sentences:

1. The hot trend in advertising these days is to hire real, live stars.

2. Kevin James would have been 20 years old this Septemper.

3. Not much is left of a town known as Nora, Nebraska.

4. Democracy is thriving at Hillsboro High School.

5. The four seasons spice up our lives.

6. Tents come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

7. The citizens of Lawrence have several reasons for building a new high school.

8. Jesse Flynn is my best friend because of his many fine characteristics.

9. Air pollution is caused by vehicles and industries.

10. Charles Darwin lives an interesting life as an explorer, writer, and scientist.

11. Keys to success in school include hard work, good study habits and organization. Directions: Read the paragraphs and then write a topic sentence for each one.

1)______

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First of all, I can’t sleep late anymore. I have to get up early in the morning, get showered and eat breakfast. Then, I have to carry lots of books and walk there. I have to sit in a classroom, listen and do homework. I wish we could have summer all year!

2)______

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Sports can help us to be healthy and strong, and that’s important. We get to make new friends, and it’s fun to play sports with friends. Sports can also help us to have good attitudes and to do better in school. I don’t know why everybody is not out each day to play some kind of sports.

3)______

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It annoys me a lot that she gets into my things when I’m not there. My little sister also likes to tattle on me every chance she gets. If that’s not enough, she embarrasses me in front of my friends by telling them private things about me. I don’t know why I wanted to have a little sister! Detail Sentences

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2 Types of Detail Sentences Type What is it?

Transitions *______*______Example Detail Sentences

Topic sentence:

Turtles could not survive without their marvelous shells.

Detail sentences:

Most importantly, turtles’ shells serve as the base for their skeletons. Their backbones and ribs are attached to the flat bony plates of their shells. This skeleton provides shape for their bodies. Somewhat importantly, turtles’ shells serve as their portable homes. Turtles can live anywhere because they carry their homes with them. This is important for turtles since they move so slowly. Finally, turtles’ shells are important because the shells protect turtles from their enemies. Turtles who are in danger can pull their heads and legs into their hard shells to protect themselves from animals who might try to eat them. REQUIREMENTS FOR A DETAIL SENTENCE

Each detail sentence must:

* contain related information.

* be in a logical sequence with other sentences.

* include a transition if it introduces a new detail.

* be written from the same point of view as other sentences.

* be written in the same tense as the other sentences. Directions: In the paragraph below, cross out the detail sentences that do not relate to the topic sentence.

Babysitting is a good way to make money, but it’s hard.

First of all, some of the time I can make money while sitting around watching TV and eating, so that’s a good thing. However, most of the time babysitting is hard work, and it makes me really tired. I get really tired after a hard day at school, too. It’s usually a baby, and babies cry without telling you why. Sometimes it’s a baby and the baby’s older brothers and sisters. I have on older brother and one younger sister. I have to spend a lot of time changing diapers, feeding the baby and getting the other kids to stop fighting of jumping on the couch. One time my brother jumped so hard on his bed that it broke! The baby spits up on me, and the kids grab me with their gooey fingers, so I always get filthy. I used to get dirty all the time, but I have been much neater lately. At bedtime, they don’t go to bed, and I have to keep getting them water, bottle and stories. Then, I have to clean up before the parents come home. When the parents pay me, I don’t want to spend the money because I know how hard I had to work to get it. Directions: Add three body sentences after each topic sentence.

1) I would really like to learn to fly an airplane. ______

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So now it is clear why flying is so important to me.

2) The beach is the best place to take a vacation. ______

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Now everyone is sure to want to go to the beach for a vacation.

3) I would like a cute little puppy of my own. ______

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Having my own puppy would make me very happy. Conclusion Sentences Strategy Puzzle: Part III

A conclusion sentence: *______

*______

*______Examples of Conclusion Sentences

1. (To summarize) These car models are my favorites.

2. (In conclusion) When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.

3. Thus, if a person has approval from others, he may be less happy than if he has his own approval.

4. (To conclude) This woman had qualities that people should imitate daily.

5. (In sum) These four events served as the spark that ignited the war.

6. (To conclude) Plenty of serious reasons exist for staying away from drugs; ignoring them can endanger one’s health and life.

7. In other words, several issues need to be considered before a person accepts a job offer.

8. (To conclude) Life can deal you many cards; it’s how you play them that counts.

9. (To conclude) Making a snowman involves rolling the parts of his body, stacking the parts, and creating his face and clothes.

10. (In summary) The environment is in danger because of our vehicles, our mountains of waste, and our lack of attention to nature’s need to replenish itself. Directions: Write a conclusion sentence for the paragraphs below.

My brother must be from another planet. First of all, he doesn’t sit down and chew food like us Earthlings; he inhales his food as he passes the table, and then he disappears. He has also been known to emit some very peculiar odors which he seems to collect and keep in the form of socks and dirty T-shirts tucked into corners of his room and under the bed. If that is not enough, he makes very odd sounds that seem to be a kind of screeching language from his native planet, “Eeeeeeccccchhhhsss, bbbblllllllppppppp, ggggrrrrrrrooooooggggghhhhh!” ______

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After school I help my father at his bakery. He always has me wait on customers. I ask the customers what they want, my father loads up the cookies and the bread and then I tie the bag shut. We work well together and our customers are happy when they leave. My father also counts on me to sweep the floors at the end of the day. The most important job I have is tasting any new cookie recipes he tries. ______

______Making a Sundae

If you are going to build a sundae, do it right! First of all, start by taking at least three scoops of vanilla ice cream and placing them in your bowl. The bowl should be spacious enough to hold all of the goodies that will be added. Next, sprinkle the ice cream with a small handful of your favorite treats. Any flavor will do. Grab some sprinkles or coconut or small pieces of fruit. Strawberries and blackberries are always welcome on an ice cream sundae. Finally, select your topping. Some favorites are chocolate, butterscotch and caramel. If you feel brave, add a mountain of whipped cream. Taking time to prepare your sundae the right way will definitely guarantee you a treat to devour.

1) Write the topic sentence.

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2) Write the conclusion sentence.

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3) Underline the lead off details in pink.

4) Underline the follow up details in blue.

5) Circle the transition words/phrases. Chores

Although I do not like to do chores, I must do them to earn my allowance. First of all, each day I empty the trash. It takes me about fifteen minutes because our house has lots of rooms with trashcans in each room. Each Thursday, I pull the big trash barrels to the driveway. They are heavy and not easy to move. In addition, I have to empty the dishwasher.

After school, I grab a snack to eat while I put everything away. My goal is to get the job done quickly so I can head to the park to play soccer. Finally,

I must also clean the mess in my room. I have made this job easier by getting my little brother to help. He is only two and I have convinced him it is a game. I point to the stuff on the floor and he picks it up. I definitely do not like any of these chores, but I do like spending my allowance each

Saturday.

1) Write the topic sentence.

______

2) Write the conclusion sentence.

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3) Underline the lead off details in pink.

4) Underline the follow up details in blue.

5) Circle the transition words/phrases.