This document provides a framework for writing an eight-sentence paragraph in response to a writing prompt. It instructs the writer to begin with a topic sentence using keywords from the prompt, then provide three "showing" examples with details to support the topic sentence, and conclude by restating the topic sentence. An example eight-sentence paragraph is then provided on the topic of a favorite pet. The document emphasizes using clear paragraph structure and including sufficient details in responses.

1. The Eight-Sentence
Paragraph
A Framework for
Paragraph Writing
Adapted by Sheri Edwards from:
Paula Barnard and Paula Gogert

2. Your teacher gives you a prompt.
“Write about your favorite pet.”
What do you do???
Don’t panic.
Follow this plan…
(Watch for the color-coding, it will help you
organize your ideas.)

3. You ONLY Need Three Ideas!
 What is your main idea or topic?
(repeat key words from the prompt)
 What are three reasons that “show”
your topic sentence is true? (Be sure to
“show” not “tell”.)
 That’s all you need for a great
paragraph!!!

4. Use Correct Paragraph Form
A paragraph includes:
 Topic Sentence
 Three “Showing” Examples (reason
sentence and detail sentence--six total)
 Conclusion
No paragraph should be less
than eight sentences.

5. Eight-Sentence Paragraph
 Introduction or Topic Sentence (Uses
key words from the prompt)
First Subtopic (A “Showing” Example)
(reason and one of these: explanation, evidence,
example, elaboration, experience)
Second Subtopic (A “Showing” Example)
(reason and one of these: explanation, evidence, example,
elaboration, experience)
Third Sentence (A “Showing” Example)
(reason and one of these: explanation, evidence,
example, elaboration, experience)
 Conclusion (Restates Introduction)

6. Start with a topic sentence that uses the
key words from the prompt.
“Write about your favorite pet.”
My favorite pet is my dog,
Romeo.
Introduction or Topic Sentence
(Your First Sentence)

7. Then write three reasons for the topic sentence
being true:
He is beautiful and easy to
care for.Playing with him is
lots of fun. He always
takes care of me.
Three Examples

8. Then write more detail for each of the three reasons for
the topic sentence being true explanation, evidence,
example, elaboration, experience :
He is beautiful and easy to care for; his
medium white fur needs no extra
brushing. Playing with him is lots of
fun; I throw a tennis ball and he
bounces off to retrieve it. He always
takes care of me; he prances up to me
whenever I say,”Ow!” and licks my
face.
Three Examples

9. Now end your paragraph with
a conclusion:
Remember, each paragraph must have a
concluding sentence. Finish with a
sentence that restates your topic sentence
using different words.
Romeo is the best pet anyone
could ever have.

10. The Completed Paragraph
My favorite pet is my dog,
Romeo. He is beautiful and easy to care
for; his medium white fur needs no extra
brushing. Playing with him is lots of fun;
I throw a tennis ball and he bounces off
to retrieve it. He always takes care of
me; he prances up to me whenever I
say,”Ow!” and licks my face. Romeo is
the best pet anyone could ever
have.

11. Start with a topic sentence that uses the
key words from the prompt.
“Write about your favorite place.”
My favorite place is Cresent
Bay. (do not add BECAUSE)
Introduction or Topic Sentence
(Your First Sentence)

12. Then write three reasons for the topic sentence
being true:
The lake laps quietly onto
the shore.Sticks drift
onshore for Pooka to fetch.
The roads and hills provide
hiking fun.
Three Examples

13. Then write more detail for each of the three reasons for
the topic sentence being true explanation, evidence,
example, elaboration, experience :
The lake laps quietly onto the shore. I watch
the carp swim and ducks dive for food. Sticks
drift onshore for Pooka to fetch.We play for
hours winter and summer along the shore. The
roads and hills provide hiking fun; Pooka and I
walk there almost every day, looking for deer,
wildflowers, and eagles.
Three Examples

14. Now end your paragraph with
a conclusion:
Remember, each paragraph must have a
concluding sentence. Finish with a sentence
that restates your topic sentence using different
words.
Cresent Bay is the best for
watching wildlife, hiking hills,
and playing with Pooka.

15. The Completed Paragraph
My favorite place is Cresent Bay. The lake
laps quietly onto the shore. I watch the carp
swim and ducks dive for food. Sticks drift
onshore for Pooka to fetch.We play for hours
winter and summer along the shore. The roads
and hills provide hiking fun; Pooka and I walk
there almost every day, looking for deer,
wildflowers, and eagles. Cresent Bay is the best
for watching wildlife, hiking hills, and playing
with Pooka.

16. The Completed Paragraph-
-revised for names and 5ws
My favorite place is Cresent Bay on Lake Roosevelt
behind Grand Coulee Dam. The glacial lake laps quietly
onto the shore, which is both rocky and sandy in places . I
watch the carp swim in the evening and ducks dive for
food in the early morning. Sticks from storms upriver drift
onshore for Pooka to fetch.We play for hours winter and
summer along the shore, usually taking quick dip in the
cold water on hot summer days. The gravel roads and
many hills provide hiking fun with beautiful views of the
lake and the dam; Pooka and I walk there almost every
day, looking for deer, wildflowers, and eagles. Wouldn’t
you love to glance up to a gliding eagle, watching it dive
fast to snatch the carp in its talons? Cresent Bay is the
best for watching wildlife, hiking hills, and playing with
Pooka.

17. There you have it!
It’s easy to write a
paragraph.
All you need is
a topic,
three ideas and evidence
for each,
and a conclusion!

18. Assignment Prompt 1:
Write on the topic
“My Favorite Place”
Remember to prewrite, draft, revise,
edit for these steps:
•Topic sentence-favorite place
•3 reasons why + evidence
•Conclusion sentence-favorite
place

19. Topic Sentence:
 Idea 1
 Idea 2
 Idea 3
 Detail 1a
 Detail 2a
 Detail 3a
Concluding Sentence:

20. Assignment Prompts-2
Choose one
 My favorite place
 My favorite sport
 My favorite song
 My favorite candy
 My favorite food
 My favorite shoes
 My favorite team
 My favorite hobby
 Field trips are great
 Gonzaga is the best place to go.
 Fishing is fun
 Hunting is fun
 TV is important to me

21. Assignment Prompt 3:
Write on the topic
“I am _____(insert adjective)”
Remember to prewrite, draft, revise,
edit:
•Topic sentence-I am _____
•3 reasons why + evidence
•Conclusion sentence-I am
____________