Language and Content

Success in Language Arts

Learn About Paragraphs

Paragraphs

A paragraph is a group of sentences.

All the sentences tell about one main idea.

indent When you call for help, be ready to answer who, what, and where. Tell the police who needs help. Next explain what happened, or why the person needs emergency help. Then tell where the person is so help can get there quickly.

The topic sentence tells the main idea.

The other sentences give supporting details. They tell more about the main idea.

Study the lesson. Then do the Exercise.

Practice Your Paragraphs

Think and Discuss

Follow these steps to write a paragraph.

  • 1 Think about your main idea.

    What details support it? Make a diagram.

    illustration of a main idea box connected to three details boxes

  • 2 Write a topic sentence to tell the main idea.

    Be sure to indent it.

  • 3 Add the detail sentences.

  • 4 Read your paragraph. Make sure all the sentences tell about one main idea.

In an emergency, call for help.

In an emergency, call for help.

Exercise

Write a paragraph. Use ideas in this diagram.

illustration of main idea and details graphic organizer