Develop Paragraphs–One Sentence at a Time

writing

Develop Paragraphs–One Sentence at a Time

november 15, 2022

The paragraph is the building block of solid writing. A paragraph (or set of paragraphs) develops a part of the topic; it explains a facet of the topic. Strong writing includes multiple facets of a bigger idea explored among several paragraphs.

However, writing a single, strong, cohesive paragraph is difficult. For some, writing an entire essay of strong paragraphs can be nearly impossible! Your students will need lots of support on how to develop an idea. So start at an early age!

Writing multiple sentences on a broad topic

With beginning writers, brainstorm words and phrases related to a single, broad topic (e.g., school, family, animals). Make a list on the board. Model how to stretch those individual words and phrases into sentences, producing a single paragraph on a broad topic. Encourage students to then write multiple sentences on their own topics by offering them the use of different colored gel pens. For every additional sentence students write on the topic, they get to switch their pen colors. Colorful Sentences add a fun element to the daunting task of writing more. (For additional ideas on Stretching Ideas in the Primary Grades, see the Learning Center.)

Listing tiny details per facet

Although young writers generate sentences all about one topic (e.g., family), that topic is broad. Eventually, students need to advance beyond simply “listing” facets of a topic in single sentences. I have a mom. I have a dad. I have a brother, etc. They need to develop each facet using small, specific details. Spend time just generating lists of details. For example, under “mom,” there might be a list of details including: good cook, pretty, loves me, helps me when I get hurt, etc. Embrace the idea that this list is the writing for a while. Primary students don’t actually have to turn these details into sentences and a paragraph. Just focus on generating details and words for each facet (e.g., for each family member).

Developing a traditional paragraph

Being able to generate multiple details on an aspect or facet of the topic is key even for older students. Students are typically good at mentioning or listing the general topic sentence, but they leave it undeveloped and unsupported. And when teachers ask students to “add more details,” they include more undeveloped topic sentences.

As students get better at developing a single paragraph, they are ready to tackle a full piece with multiple facets, each developed within their own paragraph. The pre-writing will be essential in the writing process. Students need to consider the different aspects of the topic they will explore and then the specific details and examples, per facet, that will compose the different paragraphs. The multi-table & legs organizer can be helpful for this. Or, if your students are familiar with the traditional web organizer, consider the Dissected Web to encourage additional small details. (Check out the Snowball Fight example.)

Great Teacher Comments:

During her time as literacy coach for Seymour Community Schools (Seymour, IN), Whitney Reinhart (Crothersville Elementary School Principal, Crothersville, IN) used the Smekens Education tabletop organizer with third graders at Jackson Elementary to develop their paragraph writing. The process took them from a pre-write to a final, typed draft.

Related Articles