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13 Writing Paragraphs

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Writing Paragraphs Opening Page

Start-Up Activity

The paragraph provides students with a structure that they can use to explain, describe, narrate, and persuade.

Display the words below and tell students that these are the four basic purposes for writing paragraphs. Have students share examples of their own writing for each of these purposes.

  • Describing
  • Explaining
  • Narrating (Sharing a story)
  • Persuading (Giving reasons)

Then read and discuss page 58. Ask: What type of writing might the student in the illustration be planning—a description, explanation, or story?

Think About It

“I keep stories enjoyable for my readers by making them enjoyable for me.”

—Isabelle Holland

Page 059 from Write Away

What Is a Paragraph?

Hold up a copy of the Write Away handbook and point to its three main parts: the front cover, the back cover, and all of the pages in between. Tell them that a paragraph has three main parts as well: a beginning, an ending, and all the sentences in between. Then read and discuss page 59.

LAFS Standard:
NE ELA Standard:

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Page 060 from Write Away

Sample Paragraph—Describing

Read aloud the paragraph on this page. Then discuss the three main parts in the writing. Ask students to identify words and sentences that they really like in the paragraph. Also ask them what food they would like to describe.

LAFS Standard:
NE ELA Standard:

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Page 061 from Write Away

Writing a Describing Paragraph

Pages 61 and 62 give guidelines for writing a describing paragraph. Page 61 focuses on prewriting and writing the first draft. After reviewing this information, have students plan and write a descriptive paragraph about a favorite food or about another topic of their choice.  

Page 62 covers revising and editing. After reviewing this information, have students continue developing their paragraphs. Suggest that they refer to the paragraph on page 60 if they have questions about their own writing.  

Provide class time for students to share their final copies.

LAFS Standard:
NE ELA Standard:

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Page 063 from Write Away

Sample Paragraph—Informing

This paragraph informs or explains about plant roots. After discussing the paragraph, ask students how Kumal would have learned about plant roots. (Possible response: from his science textbook, from a Web site, or from a class discussion)

Also consider having students write a paragraph about a science-related topic that interests them.

LAFS Standard:
NE ELA Standard:

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Page 064 from Write Away

Sample Paragraph—Sharing a Story

This paragraph shares a true story about visiting a park. After discussing the paragraph, ask students to identify as many of the 5 W’s in the writing as they can. (The who, what, and where of the experience are clearly named. The when and where are implied.)

  • Who? (my dad and I)
  • What? (hiked, explored, saw raccoons)
  • Where? (Blue Hills Park)
  • When? (one day)
  • Why? (to visit the park)

Also consider having students write a paragraph about a fun day they have experienced.

LAFS Standard:
TEKS Standard:
NE ELA Standard:

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Page 065 from Write Away

Sample Paragraph—Persuading Others

This paragraph gives reason telling why the writer’s aunt is special. After discussing the paragraph, ask student to identify the main reasons that support this topic.

  • She takes me to different places.
  • We read books together.
  • We talk about school.
  • She helps me with projects.

Consider asking students to write a paragraph in which they give reasons why someone or something is special.

LAFS Standard:
NE ELA Standard:

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Level:
21st Century Skills:
English Language Arts: