Teach Middle School Students to Write Paragraphs

Focus on Writing a Strong Topic Sentence, Body & Conclusion

Aug 21, 2009

Students need to write clear, tightly focused paragraphs. It all starts with a solid topic sentence. Add in detail or body sentences and end with strong conclusion.

For middle school students to write a solid essay, they need to begin with a well written paragraph. The paragraph should be a unit of information that centers on a main topic. It should not go off topic or give irrelevant information.

Finding a Topic

A good writer chooses one topic and sticks with it. The sometimes difficult part is narrowing down the topic to manageable size. For example, the topic of wakeboarding may be too broad a topic. However,one could write a paragraph on the equipment used, tips to a successful ride or tricks to try.

Help students to come up with manageable topics by brainstorming ideas on the board. Place a broad topic on the board and make a list of possible paragraph ideas on that topic. Once the students have chosen a good topic, they need to write the topic sentence.

Developing Topic Sentences

When teaching students to write a paragraph, begin with the foundation of any great paragraph -- the topic sentence. The topic sentence is many times the first sentence of a paragraph, especially if the paragraph is the first one of an essay. However, it can be placed any where in the paragraph. The topic sentence needs to do two things: it must tell the reader the topic and the controlling idea.

Include the Controlling Idea

A controlling idea is an opinion or idea about the topic. It is really what the writer would like to say about the topic. Without the controlling idea, the topic sentence will not be complete. Ask students to use their chosen topic and write a solid topic sentence. Place these examples on the board.

Now, ask students to write their own topic sentence. Check that students have a good controlling idea.

Body or Detail Sentences

Next, students need to develop the body of the paragraph. It is the middle or "meat" of the paragraph. These sentences give details or additional information on the topic and support the controlling idea. The key is to stay on topic. Most paragraphs should be four-to-six sentences. However, if a student is writing a stand alone paragraph that is not part of a larger essay, it can be longer.

Write under the example topic sentence on the board a list of details that could be included in the paragraph. For example:

Topic sentence: Beginning wakeboarders need to choose the correct bindings for a successful ride.

Ask students to make their own list under the topic sentence. Next, they need to begin a draft of their paragraph. For this lesson, the topic sentence should be first. Then, they need to write the body of their paragraph using the items or details in sentences.

Write a Good Paragraph Conclusion

Last, students need to write a concluding sentence. The sentence should wrap up the paragraph and restate the topic. It should not give new information.

Tell students to add a concluding paragraph to their draft. They should then read through the paragraph and make sure it is cohesive and flows well.

Writing a well developed paragraph takes thought and organization. This lesson will help the students to include the three components of topic sentence, body and conclusion. Once they understand the basic structure, they can move on to writing an essay.

The copyright of the article Teach Middle School Students to Write Paragraphs in Middle School Lesson Plans is owned by Kellie Hayden. Permission to republish Teach Middle School Students to Write Paragraphs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.