Step Up to
Writing
A Student’s Guide
Expository Paragraphs
Explain, Show, Inform or Prove
l Need a Title
l Have a topic sentence
l Use transitions
l Explain and give examples
l Have a conclusion
Accordion Paragraphs
l Green l Go!
l Write a topic sentence.
l Slow Down!
l Yellow l Give a reason, detail, or fact.
Use a transition.
l Stop!
l Explain. Give an example.
l Red
l Go Back!
l Remind the reader of your
topic
l Green
T-Chart
Topic:
RDF (Reason, Detail, or Fact) Explain
RDF Explain
RDF Explain
Expanding the T-Chart
8-Sentence Accordion Paragraph
Create an Accordion Fold
Front Back
Topic Sentence Explanation or Example
Reason, Detail or Fact Reason, Detail or Fact
Explanation or Example Explanation or Example
Reason, Detail or Fact Conclusion
Topic
Topic Sentences
Sentences
l Occasion/Position Statements
l Occasion: The reason you are writing
l Position: What you plan to prove or explain
Starter Words
After Even though Until
Before Although When
As Whenever While
Since Unless If
When students write paragraphs, they must start with strong topic sentences.
If you want to write a good, clear paragraph, try using the accordion paragraph
method.
Power Statements
l List how many reasons your are going to cover to support your
topic.
Two Several Some
Three A number of A few
Four A couple Many
A myriad A plethora Numerous
Everyone knew SEVERAL things about writing paragraphs.
There are THREE reasons why Dan, the protagonist in “Quiet
Hills,” by Sandra Lee, is a dynamic character.
And, But, Or Statements
l Use these conjunctions to help you write your topic
sentence.
And But Or
Nor Yet So
The characters in the story were all dynamic, but only one
was round.
Kurt Vonnegut Jr. did a great job making his characters come
to life, but he relied on many flat characters
Where or When + What’s Happening
Where + What’s Happening
In the short story + there are two dynamic characters
When + What’s Happening
Sometimes + authors use stereotypes in their novels
Question and Statement
Topic Sentences
Should teachers give more Some parents think it’s a good
homework? idea.
What is your dream for the My dream is play professional
future? baseball.
What is the best place to get Without a doubt it is Pizza
pizza? Hut.
Transitions
l Reason, Detail or Fact Statements need transitions.
l Transitions help your writing flow and keep you organized.
One way Another way The first The second
One example Another example One Also
First of all Second Last
First In addition Equally important
The E’s
l Examples l E’s back up your reasons,
details, or facts.
l Explanations
l Evidence
l E’s support your topic
l Events sentence.
l Experiences
l Expert Opinions l E’s make your writing
l Elaboration
interesting and believable.
Conclusions
l Go back to your topic
l Find your key words
l Use synonyms
l Summarize information, encourage readers, convince the
audience or challenge them to think
In fact Obviously Clearly
Certainly Definitely Truly
All in all To sum up Surely
l The final statement is important!!!
