It's final exam time and kids in middle school and high school are busy writing essays. Facing a blank page can be daunting. Fortunately, adding a simple framework to each paragraph makes the actual writing part a snap. (Three steps to writing a strong paragraph below)
Three steps to writing a strong paragraph
1) Begin with a topic sentence using the IVF format:
- Identify: In the topic sentence, start with the subject of the summary. (What is your topic? or What are you summarizing? Identify the article title, the author, the source.)
- Verb: After you identify the subject add a strong verb (identifies, illustrates, argues, emphasizes, recommends, supports, contradicts, questions, reinforces, undermines).
- Finish: Conclude the topic sentence with a clear statement of a main idea. (What is the main idea of the piece the student summarizes?)
2) Follow the topic sentence with 3 details that support the topic sentence.
Detail One
- Show how the author supports the main idea with a detail.
- Illustrate detail 1 with one or two examples.
Detail Two
- Show how the author supports the main idea with another detail.
- Illustrate detail 2 with one or two examples.
Detail Three
- Show how the author supports the main idea with a third detail.
- Illustrate detail 3 with one or two examples.
3) Finish with an insightful concluding sentence
Finish your summary with an insightful conclusion. Your concluding sentence should not give new information. The conclusion should reinforce, reiterate, but not repeat the main idea from the topic sentence.
Photo: D Sharon Pruitt