Curated OER
Five Paragraph Essay
Eighth graders are introduced to the mechanics of writing a standard-form essay. They draft, edit and polish a five-paragraph essay about spending the day as an animal of their choice.
Curated OER
What's So Good About Popcorn?
First graders use a thinking map to organize a paragraph. They write and edit their paragraph about popcorn and type the final copy on the computer.
Curated OER
Journalism - The Attention Grabbing Topic Sentence
Students act as journalists to grab audience attention with the topic sentence for their writing. They write paragraphs in quantities appropriate to grade level.
Capital Community College Foundation
Guide to Grammar and Writing: Principles of Composition
If you are a teacher OR a student looking for a well-informed website on elements of the writing process, you are in luck! This site from the Capital Community College is very comprehensive and easy-to-navigate. From grammar basics to...
Other
Douglas Crockford: Elements of Style
Renowned handbook of style by William Strunk, Jr. It includes sections on usage, principles of composition, frequently misused words, and frequently misspelled words, L.9-10.3a Standard Format
Other
Introducing Plain Language
This site by Plain Language Online states that plain language "begins with the needs of the reader," which will determine why and how the writer writes. It goes on to elaborate on audience and purpose, idea organization, use of...
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: Body Paragraphs
This Purdue University OWL (Online Writing Lab) provides information related to writing body paragraphs for argumentative essays.
Online Writing Lab at Purdue University
Purdue University Owl: On Paragraphs
A comprehensive approach to writing coherent paragraphs and knowing how to transition between paragraphs.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Purposeful Paragraphs on Memorable Teachers [Pdf]
How can we use questioning to create lead sentences and details in order to create a purposeful paragraph? This PDF lesson offers an organization technique that asks young scholars to pre-plan paragraphs by brainstorming interesting...
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Serendipitous Character Names & Powerful Opening Paragraphs
In this lesson, Bertrand R. Brinley's The Mad Scientist's Club is used as a mentor text. Students will analyze the introductory paragraph of the mentor text and its sequel. Then students will use an interactive button to select a...
ACT360 Media
Writing Den: Paragraphs
How do you write a paragraph? Use this site to learn more about the different parts of a paragraph.
Polk Brothers Foundation Center for Urban Education at DePaul University
De Paul University: Center for Urban Education: Prairie Changes [Pdf]
"Prairie Changes" is a one page, nonfiction passage about the changes in the prairie over time and the effect it has on plants, animals, and habitats. It is followed by an open-ended question which requires students to provide evidence...
Other
Wilfrid Laurier University: Paragraph Writing [Pdf]
This site from the Wilfrid Laurier University provides a complete guide to paragraph writing. Contains many examples along with details and structures that are often left out when students write.
Other
Glendale College: Structure of the Five Paragraph Essay
This website from the Glendale Community College shows the structure of five paragraph essays and the elements within the paragraphs (motivator, thesis sentence, topic sentence, specific support, reworded thesis, clincher). Gives...
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School
Cambridge Rindge & Latin School: Writing an Introduction
A tip sheet on how to write and develop an introduction to a research paper.
BBC
Bbc Skillswise: Building Paragraphs
As part of the BBC's Skillswise unit, this site focuses on the development of good paragraphs. As learning tools, the site includes a fact sheet, a worksheet, and a game. Be sure to click on the quizzes to check your understanding.
University of Ottawa (Canada)
University of Ottawa: Writing Paragraphs
This site from the University of Ottawa provides a wonderfully designed website that not only gives you exhaustive information on paragraph writing. Students will engage in starting with outlines, writing topic sentences, dividing their...
Indiana University
Indiana University: Writing Services: Incorporating Evidence Into Your Essay
This handout explores how to effectively incorporate evidence to support your claims into your paper. It provides weak and strong examples to show effective ways to incorporate evidence clearly and cohesively. W.9-10.1c...
Organization for Community Networks
Organization for Community Network: Writing Successful Paragraphs
How can you learn to write a successful paragraph? This site features a lesson plan to help your students sharpen their writing skills.
Scholastic
Scholastic Instructor: Puzzled Over Paragraphs?
Here is an excellent list of ideas for teachers to utilize in their classroom to accompany paragraph writing skills. These creative and exciting activities will sharpen your student's writing abilities.
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: Guide to Grammar and Style: Paragraphs
At this site, Jack Lynch sets forth many guidelines for writing good paragraphs, from length, to specific word choice, to proofreading, to voice, to punctuation. Links are provided to help the student seeking additional clarification.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Hamburger Paragraph Template for Students [Pdf]
This is a PDF hambuger template (graphic organizer) to help students organize and write stronger paragraphs.
Other
Noodle Tools: Basic Language Literacy: Writing: Paragraph Art
When you create a coherent paragraph, it can be represented by any number of visual images. This page shows examples of how that might work to help writers understand the idea of coherence.