Paragraphs (1)

1. A paragraph is typically around fifteen lines of writing.

2. A paragraph has an indent at the beginning of the first line.

3. A paragraph begins with a topic sentence.

4. A paragraph has three main points.

5. Each main point has two to four supporting sentences.

6. A paragraph has a concluding or transitional sentence.

7. A paragraph has capital letters at the beginning of each
sentence.

8. A paragraph has sentences that continue across the page.

9. A paragraph has double spacing between sentences.

10. A paragraph has double spacing between lines.

11. A paragraph has correct punctuation and spelling.

Title
Indent Double sentence spacing
Cars and Bicycles
Riding a bicycle is preferable to driving a car. First of all, a bicycle is relatively inexpensive to buy and maintain.
While a car may cost thousands of dollars to buy and hundreds ofSupport
Topic sentence 1
dollars annually, a bicycle will cost only a few hundred
dollars, and its annual maintenance cost is very small. Biking is also healthier; not only does the biker get more physical
exercise than the driver, but bicycles are nonpolluting. The consequence is a person with strong legs and a strong heart whose
bicycle helps keep the environment clean. Finally, bicycling is, unlike driving, personally satisfying. Instead of being a robot
Support
inside a machine, the biker pedals along, 2
enjoying the scenery, becoming part of nature. In all but the most inclement
weather, the bicycle is a pleasurable means of transportation.
Support 3

Double line spacing

Concluding sentence
 Paragraphs (2)
TASK: Look at the paragraph “Cars and Bicycles” on page six.
 First, write down the topic sentence.
 Now, write down the writers main ideas using only key words..
 Finally, write down key words that illustrate the writer’s attention to detail.

Topic sentence:

Main Idea 1:

Detail (1)
(2)

Main Idea 2:

Detail (1)
(2)

Main Idea 3:

Detail (1)
(2)
Concluding sentence:

Riding a bicycle is preferable to driving a car. First of all, a bicycle is relatively inexpensive to
buy and maintain. While a car may cost thousands of dollars to buy and hundreds of dollars annually,
a bicycle will cost only a few hundred dollars, and its annual maintenance cost is very small. Biking is
also healthier; not only does the biker get more physical exercise than the driver, but bicycles are
nonpolluting. The consequence is a person with strong legs and a strong heart whose bicycle helps
keep the environment clean. Finally, bicycling is, unlike driving, personally satisfying. Instead of
being a robot inside a machine, the biker pedals along, enjoying the scenery, becoming part of nature.
In all but the most inclement weather, the bicycle is a pleasurable means of transportation.