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Focus on building the middle of your essay by supporting your main ideas with facts and details.
Imagine ordering a 'Giant Deluxe Burger' and getting only two pieces of plain bread with nothing inside. Would you be happy? Of course not! Body paragraphs without details are just like that empty bun.
Every strong paragraph starts with a topic sentence. Think of this sentence as the 'boss' or a signpost. It tells the reader exactly what the paragraph will be about. If your topic sentence is about how much you love video games, the rest of the paragraph must stay on that topic. You can't suddenly start talking about what you had for lunch! A good topic sentence is clear, specific, and lets the reader know what to expect.
Quick Check
What is the main job of a topic sentence?
Answer
To tell the reader the main idea of the paragraph and set the topic for all other sentences.
Now that you have your 'top bun' (the topic sentence), you need the 'meat' and 'veggies.' These are your supporting details. These sentences provide facts, examples, or reasons that prove your topic sentence is true. For a strong paragraph, you should aim for at least supporting details. Without these details, your writing is 'thin' and won't convince your reader.
1. Topic Sentence: Apples are one of the healthiest snacks you can choose. 2. Detail 1: They are packed with vitamins that keep your body strong. 3. Detail 2: The fiber in apples helps your digestion work properly. 4. Detail 3: Unlike candy, apples have natural sugar that gives you steady energy.
Quick Check
How many supporting details should you usually aim for in a solid body paragraph?
Answer
You should aim for at least supporting details.
Sometimes, an 'imposter' sentence tries to sneak into your paragraph. An imposter is a sentence that might be interesting, but it doesn't actually support your topic sentence. To keep your paragraph strong, you must be a detective and remove any sentence that wanders off-topic. If you are writing about the moon, a sentence about your favorite movie doesn't belong there, even if it's a great movie!
Topic: Skateboarding is a challenging sport to learn. 1. You have to practice your balance for many hours. 2. I bought my skateboard at the mall last Tuesday. 3. Learning how to 'ollie' requires perfect timing and foot placement.
Analysis: Sentence #2 is the imposter! It tells us where you got the board, but it doesn't explain why the sport is challenging.
Imagine you are writing a paragraph with this topic sentence: The Amazon Rainforest is home to many unique animals.
Which of these would be the best details? 1. Scientists have found over types of birds there. 2. The Amazon River is the second longest river in the world. 3. Brightly colored poison dart frogs hide on the forest floor. 4. Sloths move slowly through the high canopy trees.
Solution: Details 1, 3, and 4 are best because they focus on animals. Detail 2 is about a river, which is an imposter for this specific topic!
Which of these would be the best topic sentence for a paragraph about a library?
If your topic sentence is 'Dogs are helpful workers,' which detail is an IMPOSTER?
A paragraph is strong even if it only has one supporting detail.
Review Tomorrow
In 24 hours, try to remember the three parts of the 'Burger Method' for paragraphs.
Practice Activity
Write a topic sentence about your favorite food, then list facts that explain why it is the best.