How to Teach How to Write Linear Paragraphs

Teach students to write linear paragraphs that have a clear argument.

A linear paragraph consists of a groups of sentences that work together to get a point across. Linear paragraphs are structured with a topic sentence that focuses the argument, two or three main points and a brief conclusion. Teach your students to write linear paragraphs by following this model and giving examples along the way. A linear paragraph should give the reader a clear sense of what is being argued or demonstrated without straying off topic.

Instructions

1. Show students how to write a topic sentence. The topic sentence summarizes the argument that the paragraph will make. If the student's paragraph describes a vacation in Italy, the topic sentence might read "My first day in Rome was packed full of fun adventures." The sentence lets the reader know immediately what the paragraph will be about. Give examples of weaker topic sentences such as "The food was really good," which does not clearly indicate that the narrator is in Rome.

2. Explain to students how to write the first main point of the paragraph. The first main point will provide evidence for the topic sentence and can be more than one sentence long. Have students make a list of significant points that prove the topic sentence, such as "visiting the Spanish Steps," "going out for lunch," "going to a museum" and "going to the Vatican." Have students decide which point is most relevant. The first main point might read as follows: "We went to the Borghese museum and saw some of the most wonderful art I have ever seen. There were sculptures from ancient times that took my breath away."

3. Teach students to write the second main point. Have them look on their list to determine what the second most significant point is to provide evidence for the topic sentence. They can introduce the second point with a transitional word or phrase such as "then" or "in addition." The second point might read as follows: "Then we climbed the Spanish Steps. The view from the top was beautiful."

4. Teach students to write a conclusion. The conclusion should sum up all the points and tie the argument together. They might write, for instance, "I saw and learned a lot, and hoped that every day would be as good as the first one" or "There was so much still to see, but I was exhausted so I went back to the hotel and took a nap." Notice that the conclusion provides a natural ending to the flow of the linear paragraph.

Tips & Warnings

• A linear paragraph can contain more than two main points. Encourage your students to use their judgment in deciding how much evidence is needed to back up the topic sentence.

References

• Writing; How to Write a Good Paragraph; Holly Abidi

Resources

• Kathy's Home Page; Basic Guide to Essay Writing; Kathy Livingston