We will be learning how to write Mary Poppins Paragraphs: Practically Perfect in Every Way!What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of sentences that have a topic in common. Of course, there's more to it than that. A paragraph can have any number of sentences, but for our purposes, it will have at least five sentences.
We are using color coding to mark the parts of a paragraph:
The topic sentence is green because it gets thing going. It names the topic and makes a statement about it. (You could also call it a CLAIM.)
The body sentences are yellow because they throw light on the topic -- lighting up or making it clear. (They contain pieces of EVIDENCE that the topic sentence is true.)
The conclusion is red because it brings the paragraph to a stop. Later when you are writing essays, there might not be a concluding sentence for a paragraph, or it may serve as a bridge into the next paragraph.
The paragraphs we will be writing will also use transitions to bridge smoothly from sentence to sentence, and to show the relationship from idea to idea or from sentence to sentence.
Here are some links to information about paragraphs:
http://www.proteacher.com/redirect.php?goto=3679 This one has an example paragraph and defines and points out each different part. It also gives hints for successfully writing a paragraph.
Learn more at http://lrs.ed.uiuc.edu/students/fwalters/para.html This provides basic information on writing a paragraph, and also provides and example paragraph, with each part explained. Note: For our purposes, each paragraph you will write in this paragraph unit will include a concluding sentence (conclusion).
Look at the Hamburger Paragraphs: Hamburger Paragraph
A sample paragraph:
Sample Paragraph about TV and Children -- Transitions
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Basics of writing a paragraph:
1. Make sure the title and today's date is at the head of this entry.
2. Skip a line.
3. Indent the next line and begin with your topic sentence.
4. Create another sentence that supports the topic sentence.
5. Create another sentence that supports the topic sentence.
6. Create another sentence that supports the topic sentence.
7. Add your closing/concluding sentence. This sentence leaves the reader feeling that the piece has been wrapped up/finished.
8. Now, go back to #2 and give your paragraph a title that tells the subject of the paragraph.
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Example: Contrast paragraph
Title: Halloween Then and Now
Halloween is very different for my grandchildren than it was for me.Because their mom (my daughter) is a great bargain finder, they have many well-made costumes to choose from. When I was their age, we'd go to the five and dime store, and I'd pick out a cheap and uncomfortable plastic mask that came with a sort of stiff plastic tunic printed with a design suggesting that character. Also, they have many near neighbors' homes where they can trick-or-treat. On the other hand, my parents would have to drive me miles to get to the other far-flung farms where our neighbors lived. Their Halloween fantasies are enhanced by readily available DVD's and videos they can watch right in their home. There were no such things when I was in school, and if you wanted to watch a scary show, you had to catch it at the time it was shown on one of your two or three TV channels. There was no way to record it and watch it while you warmed up after returning from collecting candy. Though my grandchildren have better costumes, closer neighbors, and more access to Halloween media, my childhood memories of the holiday will always be precious and magical to me.
Blue Introduction (topic sentence)
Yellow: First detail from both sides
Orange : Second detail from both sides
Purple: Third detail from both sides
Red: Conclusion/Concluding sentence
or
Halloween is very different for my grandchildren than it was for me.Because their mom (my daughter) is a great bargain finder, they have many well-made costumes to choose from. Also, they have many near neighbors' homes where they can trick-or-treat. Their Halloween fantasies are enhanced by readily available DVD's and videos they can watch right in their home. In contrast, when I was their age, we'd go to the five and dime store, and I'd pick out a cheap and uncomfortable plastic mask that came with a sort of stiff plastic tunic printed with a design suggesting that character. Also, my parents would have to drive me miles to get to the other far-flung farms where our neighbors lived. Finally, there were no such things as DVD's or videos or TiVo when I was in school, and if you wanted to watch a scary show, you had to catch it at the time it was shown on one of your two or three TV channels. There was no way to record it and watch it while you warmed up after returning from collecting candy. Though my grandchildren have better costumes, closer neighbors, and more access to Halloween media, my childhood memories of the holiday will always be precious and magical to me. 
Green Introduction (topic sentence)
Yellow: First detail from one side.
Orange: Second detail from one side
Purple: Third detail from one side
Red: First detail from the other side.
Orange: Second detail from the other side
Purple: Third detail from the other side
Red: Conclusion/Concluding sentence
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Sample Comparison Paragraph
There are three important similarities between The Eastern Woodland Peoples and the Northwest Coast Peoples. First of all, neither group had a written language. The Iroquois relied on oral storytelling to recall their history. Similarly, The Nootka used totem poles and spoken words to tell their story. A second similarity is the way these First Nations traveled in their territory. Both groups relied on canoes- birch bark in the east and cedar in the west. Finally, like the majority of First Nations, both had a respect for nature not found in Western cultures. For example, during a hunt, the hunter would make an offering to the dead animal. He thanked the animal for giving up his life. He hoped the animal would let the other animals know of his generosity so that they would give their lives in the future. In sum, there are many commonalities among first nations despite diverse environments and great distances.
Transitions in the above paragraph include first of all, a second similarity, finally, and in sum.
Sample Contrast Paragraph
My Dogs
Although I raised Marcee and Obbie from puppies, they have completely diverse personalities. Obbie is a six year old, male, toy Pomeranian whereas Marcee is a one year old, female, Boston terrier. Obbie is small and soft, unlike Marcee who has bristly hair and is much bigger. Marcee insists on sleeping on the bed, under the covers every night. On the other hand, Obbie will only sleep on the floor, under the bed. Obbie is tremendously loyal and uptight; however, Marcee is hyper and friendly to anyone she meets or sees. Around other dogs, Marcee cowers to the larger dog, yet Obbie will always stand his ground, never giving up until he is scolded. Given that they were both treated the same way all their life, it is hard to believe that they are so different in everything they do.
~© 2005 Kayla Marie Anfinson~ found at http://english120.pbworks.com/w/page/19006879/FrontPage
Green indicates the topic sentence.
Red is for the concluding sentence -- the clincher.
The orange and yellow show the first and second items being compared or contrasted.
Transitions in the Comparison Paragraph include first, second, finally, and in sum.
Transitions in the Contrast Paragraph are whereas, on the other hand, however, unlike, and yet.
