BETTER ANSWER PARAGRAPH
Basic Paragraph - is a way to organize information
- share information (story, opinion, facts/research, ideas)
- about similar or related information grouped together
Paragraphs have an indented start and are at least 5 sentences in length.
The Topic Sentence
A topic sentence usually comes at the beginning of a paragraph; that is, it is usually the first sentence in a formal academic paragraph. (Sometimes this is not true, but as you practice writing with this online lesson site, please keep to this rule unless you are instructed otherwise.) Not only is a topic sentence the first sentence of a paragraph, but, more importantly, it is the most general sentence in a paragraph. What does "most general" mean? It means that there are not many details in the sentence, but that the sentence introduces an overall idea that you want to discuss later in the paragraph.
Supporting Sentences
The second and third sentences are called supporting sentences. They are called "supporting" because they "support," or explain, the idea expressed in the topic sentence. Of course, paragraphs in English often have more than two supporting ideas. The paragraph above is actually a very short paragraph. At minimum, you should have at least five to seven sentences in your paragraph.
The Concluding Sentence
In formal paragraphs you will sometimes see a sentence at the end of the paragraph which summarizes the information that has been presented. This is the concluding sentence. You can think of a concluding sentence as a sort of topic sentence in reverse.
- share information (story, opinion, facts/research, ideas)
- about similar or related information grouped together
Paragraphs have an indented start and are at least 5 sentences in length.
The Topic Sentence
A topic sentence usually comes at the beginning of a paragraph; that is, it is usually the first sentence in a formal academic paragraph. (Sometimes this is not true, but as you practice writing with this online lesson site, please keep to this rule unless you are instructed otherwise.) Not only is a topic sentence the first sentence of a paragraph, but, more importantly, it is the most general sentence in a paragraph. What does "most general" mean? It means that there are not many details in the sentence, but that the sentence introduces an overall idea that you want to discuss later in the paragraph.
Supporting Sentences
The second and third sentences are called supporting sentences. They are called "supporting" because they "support," or explain, the idea expressed in the topic sentence. Of course, paragraphs in English often have more than two supporting ideas. The paragraph above is actually a very short paragraph. At minimum, you should have at least five to seven sentences in your paragraph.
The Concluding Sentence
In formal paragraphs you will sometimes see a sentence at the end of the paragraph which summarizes the information that has been presented. This is the concluding sentence. You can think of a concluding sentence as a sort of topic sentence in reverse.
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Transition Words
Look at the end of each paragraph and see how it connects to the first sentence of the paragraph following it. If the connection seems missing or strained, improve the transition by clarifying your logic or rearranging the paragraphs. Often, the best solution is cutting out a paragraph altogether, and replacing it with the right one.
Below are some transition words that you can use in your writing. Try to get away from using first, second, third(lastly)
Below are some transition words that you can use in your writing. Try to get away from using first, second, third(lastly)
Summary Writing
What is a Summary?
A summary is a brief description of your book, and it's filled with excitement and feeling. The summary introduces the main character(s) and the plot and main conflicts facing them and asks questions or presents quandaries that will pique the reader's interest.
The basic summary is:
1) written in present tense;
2) written in third person;
3) written to include cliffhangers and teasers, and it does not reveal any conclusions.
A summary is not exactly the same as a synopsis (the back cover). It's shorter, punchier, and meant to encourage the reader to open the book and dive in.
Why Should I Write a Summary?
Writing a brief narrative description of your book can do a number of things for you. First, it will help you to consolidate your thoughts concerning what your book is about. It will also allow you to concisely sketch out the details, which will give you confidence any time you need to talk about your book .
Opening Paragraph
Start first paragraph with information about the Lead's circumstances: Name of Lead Character: ________________________________ is a ____________________ who __________________________________ Write a very short description (from two to three concise sentences) about the character's circumstances/background/current situation. You might include where the story occurs, too. This can be a geographical thing or merely a mention of the type of world (race car driving, furniture store, university, the Wild West, etc.).
Next Paragraph (if you have a Second Lead)
Second Lead Character's Name (if there is one):____________________ is a ________________________ who __________________________________ Write a very short description (in two or three concise sentences) about this character's circumstances/background/current situation with an emphasis on how she/he contrasts with the First Lead character. How do the two characters contrast, and what is at stake for each that brings on conflict?
Middle Paragraph
Here is where the plot thickens. Describe in two or three sentences the major complications that occur for the main character(s). Think in terms of what stands in the way of the character(s) getting what they want. What are the main conflicts, the main obstacles? What is the story question? This paragraph will often start with words like Suddenly or But when or Little does ___ know…
Ending Paragraph
Use questions here with words like Can or Will:
Add a final line which can be either a blurb or a publisher's marketing statement:
Take notes while you read. It will be much easier to draft your summary if you’ve taken notes as you go along, rather than trying to remember everything at the end. As you read, jot down a few notes on the following:
A summary is a brief description of your book, and it's filled with excitement and feeling. The summary introduces the main character(s) and the plot and main conflicts facing them and asks questions or presents quandaries that will pique the reader's interest.
The basic summary is:
1) written in present tense;
2) written in third person;
3) written to include cliffhangers and teasers, and it does not reveal any conclusions.
A summary is not exactly the same as a synopsis (the back cover). It's shorter, punchier, and meant to encourage the reader to open the book and dive in.
Why Should I Write a Summary?
Writing a brief narrative description of your book can do a number of things for you. First, it will help you to consolidate your thoughts concerning what your book is about. It will also allow you to concisely sketch out the details, which will give you confidence any time you need to talk about your book .
Opening Paragraph
Start first paragraph with information about the Lead's circumstances: Name of Lead Character: ________________________________ is a ____________________ who __________________________________ Write a very short description (from two to three concise sentences) about the character's circumstances/background/current situation. You might include where the story occurs, too. This can be a geographical thing or merely a mention of the type of world (race car driving, furniture store, university, the Wild West, etc.).
Next Paragraph (if you have a Second Lead)
Second Lead Character's Name (if there is one):____________________ is a ________________________ who __________________________________ Write a very short description (in two or three concise sentences) about this character's circumstances/background/current situation with an emphasis on how she/he contrasts with the First Lead character. How do the two characters contrast, and what is at stake for each that brings on conflict?
Middle Paragraph
Here is where the plot thickens. Describe in two or three sentences the major complications that occur for the main character(s). Think in terms of what stands in the way of the character(s) getting what they want. What are the main conflicts, the main obstacles? What is the story question? This paragraph will often start with words like Suddenly or But when or Little does ___ know…
Ending Paragraph
Use questions here with words like Can or Will:
- "Will Wanda merely lose her lover - or also her life? Can she escape the clutches of the clandestine organization before she is captured and they beat the secrets out of her?"
Or - "Can Esme put aside her past and find a way to reach out to Barrie? And will Barrie open her heart enough to let her in?"
Add a final line which can be either a blurb or a publisher's marketing statement:
- "Name of Book_______ is a story of love and loss by the incomparable Author Name_______."
Or - "Author Name_______'s eighth novel is jam-packed with excitement and surprises. Don't miss this one from the undisputed master of suspense."
Or - "This debut novel by a talented new novelist breaks all the rules and will keep you reading from sunup to sundown. Don't miss this one."
Take notes while you read. It will be much easier to draft your summary if you’ve taken notes as you go along, rather than trying to remember everything at the end. As you read, jot down a few notes on the following:
- Characters. If your book is fiction (or a biography or memoir), keep track of who the major characters are. What are they like? What do they do? Are they different at the end of the book than the beginning? Did you like them?
- Setting. This category mainly applies to fiction. The setting of a book is where and when the story takes place (for example, the Harry Potter novels’ main setting is the school of Hogwarts). The setting may have significant influence on the characters and the story.
- Story. What happens in the book? Who did what? Where in the book (beginning, middle, end) do important things seem to happen? Were there any clear “turning points” in the story, where things seem to change from what came before? How did the story resolve? What parts are your favorite parts of the story?
- Main ideas/themes. This category will be slightly different for nonfiction or fiction. Nonfiction may have a very clear main idea, such as presenting a biography of a famous historical figure. For fiction, there will probably be a key theme that runs throughout the book. Think about this in terms of what you learned from the book that you didn’t know before reading it. You may find it easier if you take a few notes on each chapter.
- Quotations. A good book report not only tells, but shows. For example, if you really enjoyed the author's writing style, you could use a quotation in your summary that shows why you liked it. A juicy quote that sums up the main idea of the book could also be a good idea. You don’t have to use every quotation that you write down in your summary, but jot down any quotations that catch your attention.