This document provides instruction on writing sentences, paragraphs, and essays. It defines key concepts like complete and incomplete sentences, parts of speech, topic sentences, thesis statements, and essay structure. The learning objectives are to teach writing complete sentences, developing effective paragraphs using transitions, and writing multi-paragraph essays with an introduction, body, and conclusion. Key elements of paragraphs and essays like topic sentences, supporting details, transitions, conclusions, and attention-getting introductions are also explained.

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Writing Sentences, Paragraphs, and Essays

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Learning Objectives
• Writing complete sentences, including topic
sentences and thesis statements.
• Writing and developing effective paragraphs
using transitional words and phrases to create
better flow.
• Writing effective multi-paragraph essays that
include an introduction, a body, and a
conclusion.

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Sentences (LO 3.1)
Incomplete sentences
• Unable to stand on
their own.
• Missing at least one of
the 3 elements required
to be a complete
sentence.
Complete sentences
Contain 3 elements:
• Subject (Topic)
• Verb (Action)
• Complete thought
(Allows the sentence
to stand on its own)

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Parts of Speech (LO 3.1)
Nouns
– Name of a person, place, or thing (e.g., Mr. Smith,
hotel, dog)
Pronouns
– Replace a noun (e.g., he, she, it)
Verbs
– Show action or a state of being (e.g., climb,
moved, are)

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Parts of Speech (contd.)
Adjectives
– Modify or describe a noun (e.g., shiny, smart,
colorful)
Adverbs
– Modify or describe verbs, adjectives, or other
adverbs (e.g., slowly, quickly)
Prepositions
– Link a noun to another word (e.g., under, beneath)

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Parts of Speech (contd.)
Conjunctions
– Join clauses, sentences, or words (e.g., for, and,
but)
Interjections
– Express a strong feeling(e.g., Wow!, Oh no!)

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Sentence Variety (LO 3.1)
• Vary your sentence length.
• Short sentences emphasize a key point.
• Longer, complex sentences can illustrate
relationships among the ideas presented.

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Writing a Paragraph (LO 3.2)
Topic sentence
• Contains a topic.
• Contains an opinion about the topic.
• Must be a complete sentence.

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Writing a Paragraph (contd.)
Supporting sentences
• Main points that support the opinion in
your topic sentence.
• Usually require 3-5 supporting sentences.
• More common to have too few supporting
sentences than too many.
• All sentences should support the topic sentence.

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Writing a Paragraph (contd.)
Transitions help notify the reader that the
writer is changing directions or making a new
point:
• To give examples: for example, for instance
• To show time or order: first, later
• To show location: above, near
• To compare: similarly

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Writing a Paragraph (contd.)
Transitions continued:
• To contrast: in contrast
• To show a cause: because
• To show an effect: as a result
• To add information: additionally, along with
• To show emphasis or repetition: in other words,
in fact
• To conclude or summarize: finally, as a result

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Writing a Paragraph (contd.)
A Concluding sentence is used for a standalone
paragraph.
• Restate the main idea and opinion you
wrote in the topic sentence.
• Use different words than the original thesis.
• Consider writing an additional memorable
sentence for the reader.

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Writing an Essay (LO 3.3)
Introductory paragraph
• Should capture the audience’s attention.
• Should state the thesis .
• Should provide an overview of the main points
which will be covered in the body of the paper.
• Should contain an attention-getter.

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Writing an Essay (contd.)
Attention-Getters
• Usually come at the beginning of the paper
• Convince the audience that the paper is
worth reading
• Introduce the thesis statement

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Writing an Essay (contd.)
Attention-Getter Ideas
• Brief description or story
• Comparison or contrast
• Dialogue
• Inspiring or intriguing
quote
• Relevant statistic
• List of relevant
examples
• Short summary
• Surprising statement
• Thought-provoking
question

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Writing an Essay (contd.)
• State your thesis.
– Identifies the main idea of your essay.
– Usually comes in the first or second paragraph.
– Similar to a topic sentence but represents the
idea of an entire essay versus one paragraph.
– Contains a topic and your opinion of the topic.

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Writing an Essay (contd.)
• Provide an overview of the main points.
– Additional sentences may be used if the
main points are not identified in the thesis.
– Avoid a mechanical list of points.
– Give the reader a clear idea of what is going to
be covered.

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Writing an Essay (contd.)
Body paragraphs
• Often begin with a topic sentence
• Include several supporting sentences
• Use transitions to help ideas flow smoothly
• Make sure all ideas relate to the overall thesis
of the essay

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Writing an Essay (contd.)
Concluding paragraph
• Should wrap up the entire essay
• Should restate the thesis
• Should summarize the main points
• Should end with a memorable thought
• Avoid introducing new ideas or concepts
• Avoid clichés