ORGANIZING PARAGRAPHS

to show space

beside

Identify the topic sentence. ¹"It wasn't easy," she said. ²She stood up slowly, staggering from fatigue. ³"I had to stay up all night, but I finished my project." ⁴Her weary face broke into a smile.

3

Identify the topic sentence. ¹She had huge bags under her eyes. ²Her glasses were crooked. ³Her hair was tussled and her clothes crumpled. ⁴She had just finished a long night.

4

Adding sentences that do not support the topic sentence can be useful for making difficult points.

False

Proper use of transitions can tie unrelated ideas together in a logical manner.

False

When writing dialogue, a change in speaker should be signaled by a new paragraph.

True

Complete the sentence below by typing the correct response into the box. Words which connect other words are called ☐.

connectives

to show example

for instance

to limit

however

to repeat

in other words

to add ideas

in the same way

to show time

later that day

compare

likewise

to show order

next

to show a conclusion

therefore

Indicate the beginning of the sentence that should begin a new paragraph. Identify the change of focus. Then he says, "One-two-three-jump!" and him and the feller touched up the frogs from behind, and the frog hopped off, but Dan'l give a heave, and hysted up his shoulders--so-- like a Frenchman, but it wan't no use-- he couldn't budge; he was planted as solid as an anvil, and he couldn't no more stir than if he was anchored out. Smiley was a good deal surprised, and he was disgusted too, but he didn't have no idea what the matter was, of course. The feller took the money and started away; and when he was going out at the door, he sorter jerked his thumb over his shoulders--this way--at Dan'l and says again, very deliberate, "Well, I don't see no p'ints about that frog that's any better'n any other frog." (from "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County," by Mark Twain). new paragraph: ☐ change of focus: ☐

• The feller took • action

Indicate the beginning of the sentence that should begin a new paragraph. Identify the change of focus. The only hope for the youth in which there was any element of certainty was based upon the success of the princess in discovering this mystery; and the moment he looked upon her, he saw she had succeeded, as in his soul he knew she would succeed. Then it was that his quick and anxious glance asked the question: "Which?" It was as plain to her as if he shouted it from where he stood. There was not an instant to be lost. (from "The Lady, or the Tiger?" by Frank R. Stockton). new paragraph: ☐ change of focus: ☐

• Then it was • time

A new paragraph is needed when encountering which of the following changes of focus (Mark all that apply.)? Change of:

• mood • time • idea • step • place • action • point of view