Writing: Paragraphs

Writing: Paragraphs

Created by: Kenneth Sahuleka

Have you ever heard of paragraphs?

Can you explain what paragraphs are?

A paragraph is basically:

• A collection of sentences (at least 2) that elaborate on a certain topic--basically gives the topic more detail.

• Which is why every paragraph must have a topic sentence.

This is what a topic sentence is for:

• for answering questions (5W + 1H)

• for supporting the main topic of the text, not just the paragraph

• for proving, explaining, or describing something

• Oh, and a topic sentence is usually found either at the start of the paragraph or at the paragraph's end.

Here's a paragraph that answers some of the 5W + 1H questions

On the other end of the size spectrum are the giants known as "supermassive" black holes, which are millions, if not billions, of times as massive as the Sun. Astronomers believe that supermassive black holes lie at the center of virtually all large galaxies, even our own Milky Way. Astronomers can detect them by watching for their effects on nearby stars and gas.

Now, can you tell me what questions the paragraph above answered? And what its topic sentence is?

Open Ended

Now, can you tell me what questions (5W + 1H) the paragraph below answered? And what its topic sentence is?

"On the other end of the size spectrum are the giants known as 'supermassive' black holes, which are millions, if not billions, of times as massive as the Sun. Astronomers believe that supermassive black holes lie at the center of virtually all large galaxies, even our own Milky Way. Astronomers can detect them by watching for their effects on nearby stars and gas."

Here's an example of a paragraph that supports the main topic of the text:

In terms of gameplay, Roblox has the edge over Minecraft simply due to the sheer volume of gameplay options. As stated previously, Roblox is more of a game engine or gaming toolbox than a single standalone game.

Open Ended

So, which one's the topic sentence? And what do you think the paragraph below supports?

"In terms of gameplay, Roblox has the edge over Minecraft simply due to the sheer volume of gameplay options. As stated previously, Roblox is more of a game engine or gaming toolbox than a single standalone game."

What about paragraphs that prove, explain, or describe things?

There are several methods of weighing supermassive black holes. One technique relies on measuring the motions of stars in the galaxy’s core. The heavier the black hole, the faster nearby stars will move under its gravitational influence.

Open Ended

Did the paragraph below prove, explain, or describe anything? What is it? And what's the topic sentence of the paragraph?

"There are several methods of weighing supermassive black holes. One technique relies on measuring the motions of stars in the galaxy’s core. The heavier the black hole, the faster nearby stars will move under its gravitational influence."

Well, those are the most common uses of paragraphs.

• In a body of text, paragraphs are usually used for all the reasons we've discussed--for answering questions, supporting the text's topic, and proving/explaining/describing things.

• But did you realize that the paragraphs we read are not always used for just one thing?

• One paragraph can have multiple uses, and you're the one who decides what their uses will be.

• Remember: The topic sentence shows readers what the paragraph will be about.

But before we finish this lesson...

It's time for practice!

Open Ended

What's the topic sentence of this paragraph? And what do you think this paragraph is used for?

"A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light can not get out. The gravity is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space. This can happen when a star is dying."

Open Ended

What's the topic sentence of this paragraph? And what do you think this paragraph is used for?

"There is no current problem of greater importance to cosmology than that of dark matter. Dark matter is composed of particles that do not absorb, reflect, or emit light, so they cannot be detected by observing electromagnetic radiation. Dark matter is material that cannot be seen directly. We know that dark matter exists because of the effect it has on objects that we can observe directly."

Open Ended

What's the topic sentence of this paragraph? And what do you think this paragraph is used for?

"And according to Psychology Today, a cat’s cerebral cortex – where rational decision making and complex problem solving takes place – has around 300 million neurons. The cerebral cortex is involved in the planning of action, overall interpretation of language and is also responsible for storing both short- and long-term memory, which is why your cat tends to learn by doing rather than seeing. Not only that, but cats also possess more nerve cells in the visual areas of their brain than humans and most other mammals."

Open Ended

Now then, time for you to write your own paragraph. It can be about anything that's interesting to you. Start with the topic sentence and keep going from there!

And we're done!

Was this lesson exhausting?

Do you have any questions about paragraphs or writing in general?