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Build a Paragraph Around a Topic Sentence · Reading & Writing · CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.2.A · paragraph structure

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Build a Paragraph Around a Topic Sentence

with Quill

Quill the writing guide sits at a wooden desk covered in colorful index cards, stacking them into a neat tower while sunlight streams through a library window behind her.

Identify the topic sentence in an informational paragraph as the sentence that states the main idea.
Explain how detail sentences support and develop the topic sentence.
Distinguish between sentences that belong in a paragraph and sentences that stray off-topic.
Arrange a set of sentences into a correct informational paragraph by identifying and placing the topic sentence first.

Key terms

topic sentence: the sentence that tells the main idea
detail sentence: a sentence that supports the topic
paragraph: a group of sentences about one idea
off-topic: not about the main idea

The Foundation Block

A paragraph is like a tower of building blocks. The bottom block holds everything up, and that is your topic sentence. It tells the reader what the whole paragraph will be about. A strong topic sentence makes one clear point. When you start your paragraph, write this block first. Then everything else you stack on top will have something strong and steady to rest upon.

Blocks That Fit

After your topic sentence, you add detail sentences. These are the blocks you stack on top. Each one must connect to the foundation, or the tower will wobble and fall. A good detail tells the reader more about the topic sentence. If a sentence is about something else, it is off-topic. Take it out! Only keep the sentences that fit and make your tower taller and stronger.

Worked examples

Spot the off-topic sentence

Read the topic sentence: "Our park is a fun place."
Check each detail: does it tell more about the park?
Find the one that does not fit, like a sentence about school.

Answer: The school sentence is off-topic

Hi there! I'm Quill, and today we're going to build something together — a really solid paragraph. A paragraph is like a tower of building blocks. Think of it this way: the foundation block at the bottom of your paragraph-tower is your topic sentence — it holds everything up. It tells the reader exactly what the whole paragraph is about. Every block you stack on top must connect to that foundation, or the whole tower wobbles! Here's an example topic sentence for an informational paragraph: "Dogs make wonderful pets for families." Now all the sentences that follow need to SUPPORT that idea. They are your stacked blocks — the good stuff that makes the tower taller. For example: - "Dogs love to play and keep kids active." - "They are loyal and make people feel safe." - "Many dogs can even learn tricks to entertain the whole family." Notice how every detail connects back to the main idea — dogs being wonderful pets. If I suddenly wrote "Cats like to sleep in sunny spots," that detail is off-topic. It does not connect to our foundation, so it does NOT belong. Here is the rule to remember when writing to explain or inform: the topic sentence announces the main idea first, and every detail sentence that follows must add to, explain, or give an example of THAT idea. Hint: If you are not sure whether a sentence belongs, ask yourself — "Does this sentence tell me MORE about the topic sentence?" If yes, keep it. If no, leave it out.

Activity

Quill has mixed up her index cards! Sort the sentences below — drag the topic sentence to the TOP slot, then arrange the detail sentences underneath it. Drag any sentence that does NOT belong to the REMOVE zone on the side.

Practice

Put the topic sentence first and stack the details below.

Find and remove the sentence that does not belong.

Common mistakes to avoid

Every sentence belongsA sentence belongs only when it tells more about the topic sentence.

Check your understanding

Read this paragraph: "Penguins are remarkable birds. They cannot fly, but they are expert swimmers. Their feathers keep them warm in icy water. A penguin's black-and-white coloring helps hide it from predators." Which sentence is the topic sentence?

A student writes a paragraph with this topic sentence: "Our town park is a fun place to spend the afternoon." Which detail sentence DOES NOT belong in this paragraph?

Why does a strong INFORMATIONAL paragraph put the topic sentence first?

Recap

A paragraph is a tower with the topic sentence as its foundation block. It tells the main idea first. Then every detail sentence must connect to it, or it does not belong. Build your tower strong and steady!

Reflect

What topic sentence would start a paragraph about you?