T.E.D.S is an acronym created by a principal in the 1990s to help students in grades 3-5 structure paragraphs for writing assessments. It stands for Topic sentences, Essential details, and Summary sentences. Topic sentences introduce the main idea at the beginning. Essential details in the middle paragraphs support the topic sentence. Summary sentences conclude the paragraph by recapping the main point. The document provides guidance on how to carefully select each element to engage readers and leave a lasting impression.

1. Use T.E.D.S for a Juicy Paragraph
Created for Class 4-403 by
Mrs. Alison Parker

2. What is T.E.D.S?
T.E.D.S is an acronym that was created by my former
principal at Public School 152, Mr. Edward Cypress back in the 1990s.
One chilly, cloudy winter day at morning line up he said that he dreamt
about it in his sleep the previous night. He was worried about how the
students were struggling with the writing process and wanted it to be a
useful tool for students in grades 3-5 to use for writing in preparation
for the upcoming high stakes New York State English Language Arts
test. Every year I use it with my students. Now its your turn!
 T opic sentences
 Essential
 Details
 Summary sentences

3. Topic Sentences
These are the main idea statements that begin the
paragraph.
They can be any of the four types of sentences.
They draw the attention of the audience!
So……………...they must be carefully chosen!

4. Summary Sentences
These are the concluding statements that end the
paragraph.
Basically, they also can be any of the four types of
sentences but they are used to sum up the paragraph.
They leave a lasting impression in the audience’s
mind and heart.
So………………..………...they must be carefully chosen!

5. Essential Details
Between the topic sentences and the summary
sentences are the essential or important details.
These are the ‘meat and potatoes’ of the paragraph.
These chunks of sentences support the topic
sentence and keep the reader of your writing
engaged and interested in reading more and more!
They have to all be focused on that main idea
otherwise they throw the reader a curveball and
stand out like a black sheep!
So……………....they must be carefully chosen!

6. Fun Time Again!
Now it’s time to solidify your thoughts about
paragraphs by watching this video. Please click on
the link below! Be sure to take both the easy and
hard quizzes!
http://www.brainpopjr.com/readingandwriting/writ
ing/writingaparagraph/

7. Game Time!
I know how much you guys love
www.brainpopjr.com . So click on the link, watch the
video and take both the easy & hard quizzes! Good
luck!
http://www.brainpopjr.com/readingandwriting/sen
tence/typesofsentences/