Paragraph writing can be really fun! You might find it useful to begin with the basic, five sentence form, and it revise it from there.
Keep in mind this is the same basic form you will use for short essay questions on your science and social studies tests! Learning to do it well, can pay off in many places!
1.
Begin with a topic sentence that (just like in
a five paragraph essay) makes
an assertion of some sort.
Spring is my favorite
season.
2. Secondly, support that statement with specific reasons, examples,
or details. I love listening
to the many species of birds as they migrate northward.
Watching the crocuses break through the snow gives me hope that warm weather is truly coming.
Getting my hands into the dirt of my gardens and clearing away all of winter's debris gives me a sense of purpose in this world.
3. Finally end with a sentence that reasserts your main point.
Watching the crocuses break through the snow gives me hope that warm weather is truly coming.
Getting my hands into the dirt of my gardens and clearing away all of winter's debris gives me a sense of purpose in this world.
Yes, spring is my favorite
season.
NOW, LET'S REVISE THIS A BIT...
memoir
4. Let's take a look at the end result:
Spring
is my favorite season. I love listening to the many species of birds
as they migrate northward. Watching the crocuses break through the
snow gives me hope that warm weather is truly coming. Getting my hands
into the dirt of my gardens and clearing away all of winter's debris gives
me a sense of purpose in this world. Yes, spring is my favorite season.
NOW, LET'S REVISE THIS A BIT...
1. Let's begin by elaborating a bit on our
opening sentence:
2. Secondly let's improve the supporting sentences beyond the basic three. Going into more detail, also called elaborating, can fill your paragraph out, make it more interesting, and quite honestly, improve your grade. Pay close attention to the revisions; see if you see them as improvements. (Don't miss the use of transition words; they serve as little "road signs" to keep your reader alert and "with you." )
Ah, seasons. I
must admit, I love them all, but spring is a real favorite.
(Notice how these small changes give voice to
my piece and make it less like everyone else's writing.)2. Secondly let's improve the supporting sentences beyond the basic three. Going into more detail, also called elaborating, can fill your paragraph out, make it more interesting, and quite honestly, improve your grade. Pay close attention to the revisions; see if you see them as improvements. (Don't miss the use of transition words; they serve as little "road signs" to keep your reader alert and "with you." )
In the morning,
I often take my coffee out to the deck and simply listen. Apparently, New England is a favorite stopping
ground to the many species of birds migrating northward. I've read that early spring brings us more
bird songs than any other time of year; a treat I try not to miss.
Secondly, watching
the pink and purple crocuses break through the snow gives me hope that
warm weather is truly coming. I find it amazing that such delicate
leaves and flowers are capable of forcing their way through such an inhospitable
environment. Perhaps they are here to provide us a lesson in determination.
Lastly, spring brings
me an opportunity to get my hands back into the dirt. It may seem
silly to some, but I feel as though my plants and flowers depend on me.
Spending a few hours clearing away winter's debris is a real stress
reliever and gives me an indescribable feeling of belonging to the earth.
3. Finally,
adding a little "push"
to my ending gives my readers a little more to think about. Yes, spring is my favorite
season. Of course, I say this now, but come June, I'll be singing
the praises of summer. Ah, summer, I must admit...
Other types of paragraph writing:4. Let's look at this newly revised paragraph:
Ah,
seasons. I must admit, I love them all, but spring is a real favorite.
In the morning, I often take my
coffee out to the deck and simply listen. Apparently, New England is a favorite stopping
ground to the many species of birds migrating northward. I've read that early spring brings us more
bird songs than any other time of year; a treat I try not to miss. Secondly, watching the pink and purple crocuses break
through the snow gives me hope that warm weather is truly coming. I
find it amazing that such delicate leaves and flowers are capable of forcing
their way through such an inhospitable environment. Perhaps they are
here to provide us a lesson in determination.
Lastly, spring brings me an opportunity to get my hands back into the dirt. It may seem silly to some, but I feel as though my plants and flowers depend on me. Spending a few hours clearing away winter's debris is a real stress reliever and gives me an indescribable feeling of belonging to the earth. Yes, spring is my favorite season. Of course, I say this now, but come June, I'll be singing the praises of summer. Ah, summer, I must admit...
Lastly, spring brings me an opportunity to get my hands back into the dirt. It may seem silly to some, but I feel as though my plants and flowers depend on me. Spending a few hours clearing away winter's debris is a real stress reliever and gives me an indescribable feeling of belonging to the earth. Yes, spring is my favorite season. Of course, I say this now, but come June, I'll be singing the praises of summer. Ah, summer, I must admit...
memoir