Paragraphs

Paragraphs

Let's practice!

Multiple Choice

What does a topic sentence do?

• It introduces the person who is writing the paragraph.

• It asks a question the reader wants you to answer.

• It tells the reader what the paragraph is going to be about.

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic sentence for the prompt?

PROMPT: Who is your hero?

TS: I think Martin Luther King Jr. is a hero for many people.

• Yes

• No

PROMPT: Who is your hero?

TS: I think Martin Luther King Jr. is a hero for many people. <-- Not you.

BETTER TS:

Martin Luther King Jr. is my hero because he inspires many people.

Multiple Choice

Choose the best topic sentence for this prompt:

"Which level of school (elementary, middle school, high school) did you enjoy the most? Why?"

• I hate school.

• I enjoyed elementary school the most because I liked staying in the same class with my friends all day.

• I am going to tell you about how much I like high school, especially my art class.

• I think middle school is way better than high school is right now.

Multiple Choice

Is this a good topic sentence for the prompt?

PROMPT: Why do you think students should be allowed to use their cellphones during class time?

TS: Students should be able to use their cellphones during class time because they can use tools to help them learn.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Choose the best topic sentence for this prompt:

"Do people need to go to college to be successful? Why or why not?"

• People do not need to go to college to be successful because many important, worthwhile jobs don't require higher education.

• So many people say that having a college degree is the only way to get by comfortably in life.

• I think people should do whatever they want and go to college if they want to.

• Bill Gates didn't go to college, so you can be successful without college.

Multiple Select

Read the following topic and detail sentences. Which TWO additions would make this a better paragraph?

"If I could be any animal, I would choose to be a jellyfish. Jellyfish are interesting. They are very powerful and a box jellyfish has enough power to kill a human. Jellyfish barely have a body.

• Add after green: Box jellyfish are tiny and scary.

• Change: Jellyfish are interesting because some species are bioluminescent and produce their own light.

• Add after red: 95% of a jellyfish is water, which means only 5% is made of cells!

• Change: Jellyfish barely have a body and are probably very fragile.

Multiple Choice

Read the following details. Choose the one that DOES NOT go with the topic sentence.

TS: In order to be a good friend, you should be very supportive.

• If their friend goes through a difficult time, a good friend should be there to listen to them if they need to talk.

• A good friend can be very hard to find.

• Even though it can be hard, good friends apologize when they make mistakes.

• A good friend should keep your secrets and be loyal.

Multiple Select

Read the following topic and detail sentences. Which TWO additions would make this a better paragraph?

"I believe that aliens do exist for three reasons. One, the universe is big. Two, there is proof that UFOs exist. Finally, many people have reported being abducted by aliens, such as Betty and Barney Hill in 1961.

• Add after blue: There are thousands of other planets in the universe that we don't know about. It is silly to assume Earth is the only planet that has life-forms.

• Change: Two, there are actual photos and video footage of UFOs that prove that they exist.

• Add after green: If there is proof, then they must be real.

• Change: Finally, people like Betty and Barney Hill have reported that they were abducted by aliens in 1961, but many people think they are lying.

Multiple Choice

Read the following paragraph. Is the sentence in red a good way to finish the paragraph?

Japan has been my favorite place to visit outside of the US. Japan has many customs that we don't have in the US, like not wearing shoes indoors or bowing to people who rank above us. It is fascinating to see how people in other countries act differently than people in the US. There are also many great stores to shop in when in Japan, like the Pokemon Center, Daiso, and Uniqlo. Japan has delicious food that people travel from all around the world to try, like Kobe beef. When it is safe, I want to visit Japan again.

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

Read the following paragraph. Is the sentence in red a good way to finish the paragraph?

Barrack Obama, the 44th president, changed the USA in many ways. Obama was the first black president in the history of America, showing that minorities can be successful and deserve high political positions. He also supported gay marriage, which became legal in 2015 thanks to his help. Obama also fought for stricter gun laws after the Sandy Hook mass shooting and made background checks better. Michelle Obama, his wife, had a great effect on the country as well.

• Yes

• No

Not the same topic...

Barrack Obama, the 44th president, changed the USA in many ways. Obama was the first black president in the history of America, showing that minorities can be successful and deserve high political positions. He also supported gay marriage, which became legal in 2015 thanks to his help. Obama also fought for stricter gun laws after the Sandy Hook mass shooting and made background checks better. Michelle Obama, his wife, had a great effect on the country as well.

Same topic

Barack Obama, the 44th president, changed the USA in many ways. Obama was the first black president in the history of America, showing that minorities can be successful and deserve high political positions. He also supported gay marriage, which became legal in 2015 thanks to his help. Obama also fought for stricter gun laws after the Sandy Hook mass shooting and made background checks better. Barack Obama gave people hope for the 8 years he was president and continues to inspire Americans now.

THE END