“How to Write a Perfect Paragraph” Cheat Sheet

Paragraph Order
1. Topic Sentence
2. Body (3+ detail sentences)
3. Summary or Conclusion Sentence

Topic Sentence:
 Starts a paragraph
 Is one sentence (subject + predicate)
 Includes the main idea of the paragraph
 Is vague but with focus
 Connects to the body sentences
 Uses formal language (I like, good, fun)
 States an opinion about the main idea
o Development Questions:
 What is the main point I’m trying to make?
 Will I be able to tie all of my detail sentences back to this topic?
 Is my sentence an opinion (some people may not agree)?

Body Paragraph:
 Discusses the main idea
 Can include reasons, facts, examples, and details
 Every sentence connects back to the topic sentence and the main idea
 Uses transition words:
o Development Questions:
 Do all of my sentences tie back to the main idea in the topic sentence?
 Did I stick to the topic?

Summary:
  Briefly repeats the main idea
 Last sentence of a paragraph/essay
 Development Questions:
o What is the main idea of the paragraph? (look in the topic sentence)
o How can I restate the main idea?
o Did I include the complete main idea in my summary sentence?
Conclusion:
 Logical judgment based on evidence
 Last sentence of a paragraph/essay
 Development Questions:
o What is a new idea based on the details?
o What might happen now?
o Does my conclusion make sense with the details?

EXAMPLES:
Sample paragraph 1
Many reasons lead people to make one of the most important decisions about their future, choosing a
career. People may lose their job and need to find a new one. They may be unhappy in a current job and
choose to try a different career. Or, they might currently be thinking about going to school and need to
decide what area to study. Whatever the reasons, choosing a career has an important impact on our lives
and needs to be taken seriously.

Sample paragraph 2
Nursing takes a special type of person to do the job well. A nurse must have respect for others and must
patiently listen to all the complaints of her patients. A nurse must be able to think quickly on her feet in
case an emergency suddenly arises. It is important for a nurse to be knowledgeable about health and
wellness and demonstrate healthy behaviors. Not just anyone can be a nurse; it takes someone with many
skills.
You decide what kind of paragraph you need, based on what you
are writing about.

There are 4 types of paragraphs

 A narrative paragraph which tells a story of a certain event.
 A descriptive paragraph which gives details about a person, place thing or idea.
 An expository paragraph which explains something, gives directions or shows how something
happens.
 A persuasive paragraph which is opinionated and tries to sway the reader.
Example of Expository Paragraph:
People often think all planets are alike, but there are actually three types of planets in the solar system.
The terrestrial planets are made of rock and metal and are closest to the sun. These include the midsize
planets Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars. They rotate slowly and don’t have many moons. Farther from the
sun are the planets called gas giants, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. They are called gas giants
because they are formed from gases such as hydrogen and helium. Gas giants rotate fast and have many
moons. Finally, planetoids are objects made up of rock and ice and are too small to be true “planets.”
Planetoids sometimes even get pulled into a planet’s gravitational field and become moons themselves.
Whether they are terrestrials, gas giants, or planetoids, the planets in the solar system are fascinating.

Example of Narrative Paragraph: (written to explain what, when and who. Reveals what a reader should
learn. Narration paragraphs are usually written in chronological order.)
Learning how to ride a bike for the first time was a nerve racking independent moment. I was about five
years old when my sister informed me that I was too old to still be riding a bike with training wheels. That was
the time I decided not to depend on them anymore. Even though I had some doubt, my sister and I went
outside and started to take the little wheels off my bike. After my bike went through the transformation, I was
now ready for the big moment. With butterflies in my stomach, I slowly got on the bike, and with my shaky
hands, I gripped the handles tightly. Meanwhile, my sister was holding on to me to help keep my balance. I
was so afraid she would let go, yet I was determined to ride this bike on my own. Next, with a little push from
her, I started to peddle. The faster my bike went, the faster my heart raced. Finally, I looked back nervously
and noticed that my sister let go of my bike a long time ago. I was so excited that I accomplished freedom on
my bike that I forgot to peddle. The next step I remember, I was lying on the ground, yet I did not care because
of the adrenaline rush. I will never forget the exhilarating moment and growing up stage of riding a bike without
training wheels.

Learning how to ride a bike for the first time was a nerve racking
independent moment. I was about five years old when my sister informed me that I
was too old to still be riding a bike with training wheels. That was the time I decided not
to depend on them anymore. Even though I had some doubt, my sister and I went
outside and started to take the little wheels off my bike. After my bike went through the
transformation, I was now ready for the big moment. With butterflies in my stomach, I
slowly got on the bike, and with my shaky hands, I gripped the handles tightly.
Meanwhile my sister was holding on to me to help keep my balance. I was so afraid the
she would let go, yet I was determined to ride this bike on my own. Next with a little
push from her, I started to peddle. The faster my bike went the faster my heart race
Example of Persuasive Paragraph: (where the student writer gives reasons for attending a school event):
The Cass School summer carnival in January is a special event everyone should attend. First of all,
there are activities for everyone. This year, one classroom had a fishpond for little kids. Another room painted a
clown with a huge mouth on a board for a beanbag toss. Other rooms had shoe scrambles and relay races.
Secondly, each room gives prizes like yo-yos, bug-eyed glasses, and light-up pens. Winning a prize always
adds a little excitement to each activity. The best part is the clown contest. It is pretty funny to see how
students become clowns using old clothes, face paint, wigs, big clunky shoes, and wild ties. Adults and kids
laugh and laugh at the clowns. For a little summer fun in January, the Cass School carnival is worth a visit.

Example of Descriptive Paragraph:

 "My most valuable possession is an old, slightly warped blond guitar―the first instrument I taught
myself how to play. It's nothing fancy, just a Madeira folk guitar, all scuffed and scratched and fingerprinted. At
the top is a bramble of copper-wound strings, each one hooked through the eye of a silver tuning key. The
strings are stretched down a long, slim neck, its frets tarnished, the wood worn by years of fingers pressing
chords and picking notes. The body of the Madeira is shaped like an enormous yellow pear, one that was
slightly damaged in shipping. The blond wood has been chipped and gouged to gray, particularly where the
pick guard fell off years ago. No, it's not a beautiful instrument, but it still lets me make music, and for that I will
always treasure it."