Perfect Paragraph Practice

Guide

A Perfect Paragraph is a paragraph in which the subjects are limited to those that are introduced in the topic sentence. The sentences flow logically about a limited number of subjects. Perfect paragraphs tend to be shorter rather than longer.

Rationale: Clean writing is the most fundamental skill (besides literacy and arithmetic) that students must leave school with. More than anything else, it will determine your qualifications for college and future employment. Students who cannot write clearly are often limited in the opportunities available to them. Unfortunately, many students graduate high school without this skill.

Instructions: Identify topics of interest and plan a paragraph using a Paragraph Chart. Write a paragraph using the structure planned in the chart, identifying the subjects and the supporting ideas, as well as any transition sentences.

General Guidelines

· Introduce all subjects in an eloquent topic sentence

· Assure all sentences flow together in a logical sequence

· Stay relevant

· Use vocabulary and supporting information

· Quote primary sources and use statistics if possible

Perfect Paragraph Practice Rubric

#	possible points		expectations	points earned
1.	1	Clarity	Coherent topic sentence
			Underlines appropriate terms
			Good sentence structure
2.	1	Organization	First sentence identifies each topic within paragraph
			Logical flow from idea to idea
3.	1	Efficiency	Concise word choices
			Relevance of all text
			Each sentence conveys an original idea
4.	1	Effectiveness	Uses appropriate terms and names
			Uses appropriate statistics
	10		total

Perfect Paragraph Practice Example

Paragraph Chart

Topic Sentence

Theodore Roosevelt was an energetic, exciting^1 president that accomplished^2 much for the United States.

Structure

Idea 1: Energetic, exciting Support A: Read and thought about everything Support B: Constantly doing things, Gallon of Coffee Support C: Filled rooms with his personality, demanded attention while speaking Transition Sentence: It was this energy that allowed him to do so much for the American people. Idea 2: Accomplishment Support A: Trust-busting Northern Securities, stood up to JP Morgan Support B: Panama Canal Support C: National Parks, Conservation movement

Conclusion

It was Roosevelt’s strong personality and these many accomplishments that make him a hero to the American people.

Paragraph

Theodore Roosevelt was an energetic, exciting¹ president that accomplished² much for the United States. (1) (A) He read and thought about everything. (B) Many people that tried to meet with him had trouble keeping up with him because he was always playing sports and doing other active things. Perhaps it was the gallon of coffee a day he drank that gave him so much energy. (C) He was so exciting that in every room he went in he suddenly became the center of attention, and his speeches were so interesting that everyone would listen carefully. (TS) It was this energy that allowed him to do so much for the American people. (2) (A) He challenged corporate power by going after the most powerful businessman, J.P. Morgan, when he took Northern Securities to court for violating Anti-Trust laws. Roosevelt quickly became called a “trustbuster.” (B) When Colombia did not want to have the Panama Canal built within its borders, Roosevelt authorized a secret revolution in the province of Panama and paid for the Panama Canal to be built while protecting the new nation. (C) He also set up many national parks and because he was the first President to support the conservation movement; he believed that the natural environment of the United States was beautiful and should be saved for all time. The best part about Roosevelt was that he did so much to work towards what he believed, and what he believed in happened to be so good for America. It was Roosevelt’s strong personality¹ and these many accomplishments² that make him a hero to the American people.