Writing Application
Learn
Now that you can find the main idea in texts, it is time to write your own paragraphs with a clear main idea!
What Makes a Good Paragraph?
A good paragraph has three parts:
- Topic Sentence: This is the main idea sentence. It tells the reader what your paragraph is about.
- Supporting Details: These are sentences that give more information about your main idea.
- Closing Sentence: This sentence wraps up your paragraph. It can repeat the main idea in different words.
Steps to Write a Paragraph
- Think: What do I want to write about?
- Plan: What is my main idea? What details will I include?
- Write: Start with your topic sentence, add details, end with a closing sentence.
- Check: Does every sentence connect to my main idea?
Examples
Example 1: My Favorite Season
Main Idea: Summer is my favorite season.
Summer is my favorite season. I love playing outside in the warm sun. My family goes to the beach and I swim in the ocean. We also have picnics in the park. Ice cream tastes extra good when it is hot outside. Summer is the best time of year!
Topic sentence: "Summer is my favorite season." (highlighted)
Supporting details: Playing outside, going to the beach, swimming, picnics, ice cream
Closing sentence: "Summer is the best time of year!" (highlighted)
Example 2: About My Pet
Main Idea: My cat Whiskers is very playful.
My cat Whiskers is very playful. She loves to chase balls around the house. Sometimes she hides behind the couch and jumps out at me. Her favorite toy is a feather on a string. She runs so fast her paws slide on the floor! Whiskers always makes me laugh with her silly games.
Topic sentence: "My cat Whiskers is very playful."
Supporting details: Chases balls, hides and jumps, plays with feather toy, runs fast
Closing sentence: "Whiskers always makes me laugh with her silly games."
Practice
Complete these writing activities. Use paper or a notebook to write your paragraphs.
Activity 1: Finish the Paragraph
The topic sentence is given. Add 3 supporting detail sentences and a closing sentence.
Topic sentence: "Recess is my favorite part of the school day."
Write 3 sentences that tell why recess is your favorite:
1. _______________________________________________
2. _______________________________________________
3. _______________________________________________
Closing sentence: _______________________________________________
Activity 2: Choose and Write
Pick ONE topic. Write a paragraph with a topic sentence, 3-4 supporting details, and a closing sentence.
- My favorite food
- A fun place to visit
- My best friend
- Something I am good at
Activity 3: Fix the Paragraph
This paragraph has a sentence that does NOT belong. Find it and cross it out.
Bikes are fun to ride. You can go fast down hills. The wind blows in your face. Pizza is delicious. You can ride with your friends. Bikes help you get to places quickly.
Which sentence does not belong? _______________________________________________
Why does it not belong? _______________________________________________
Activity 4: Main Idea Match
Match each main idea to the best supporting details.
| Main Idea | Best Supporting Details |
|---|---|
| A. Dogs need care every day. | 1. They have wings. They build nests. They lay eggs. |
| B. Birds are interesting animals. | 2. You must feed them. They need walks. You should brush their fur. |
| C. Winter can be cold. | 3. Snow falls. Ice covers puddles. You need a warm coat. |
A matches with ___ | B matches with ___ | C matches with ___
Activity 5: Write Your Own Paragraph
Write a paragraph about your family or your home.
Use this checklist:
- [ ] I have a topic sentence that tells the main idea
- [ ] I have at least 3 supporting details
- [ ] All my sentences connect to the main idea
- [ ] I have a closing sentence
Activity 6: Partner Share
Read your paragraph to a partner, family member, or stuffed animal. Ask them:
- What was the main idea of my paragraph?
- What details do you remember?
- Does my paragraph make sense?
Activity 7: Picture Paragraph
Think of your favorite animal. Draw a picture of it. Then write a paragraph about the animal.
Your paragraph should answer: What animal is it? What does it look like? What does it do? Why do you like it?
Activity 8: Topic Sentence Practice
Write a topic sentence for each set of details.
Details: It has swings. It has a slide. Kids play there. There is sand to dig in.
Topic sentence: _______________________________________________
Details: It is cold. It is white. You can make a snowman. It falls from the sky.
Topic sentence: _______________________________________________
Check Your Understanding
Think about what you learned about writing paragraphs.
- What are the three parts of a paragraph?
- Where does the topic sentence usually go?
- What should supporting details do?
- Why is a closing sentence important?
Sample Answers
Activity 3: "Pizza is delicious" does not belong because the paragraph is about bikes, not food.
Activity 4: A-2, B-1, C-3
Activity 8 examples: "The playground is a fun place." / "Snow is fun to play in."
Next Steps
- Practice writing paragraphs about things you see and do
- Look for topic sentences when you read books
- Continue to the next lesson: Editing Workshop