📚 Part 1: Build a Strong Paragraph

A strong paragraph has four parts:

Topic sentence or claim: Answers the question and names the main idea.

Supporting detail or evidence: Gives a fact, example, quotation, or paraphrase.

Explanation: Tells how the evidence supports the claim and why it matters.

Concluding sentence: Restates the main idea in a fresh way.

Helpful words: because, for example, this shows, this reveals, demonstrates, suggests, therefore, as a result

(____) Lena shows responsibility when she finds a lost wallet at school.

(____) She takes it to the office instead of keeping the money.

(____) This action demonstrates that she chooses to do what is right, even when no one is watching.

(____) Lena’s honest choice reveals her strong values.

Sentence frames for EAL writers:

The character shows __________ because __________.

For example, the text says, “________________________.”

This evidence shows that ____________________________.

This matters because ________________________________.

Therefore, _________________________________________.

✏️ Part 2: Plan Your Response Paragraph

Choose one familiar topic or use your teacher’s shared class text.

Topic choices: How does a character show courage? How does one small choice reveal a person’s values? How does a person solve a problem?

Word bank: brave, honest, responsible, caring, determined, fair, respectful, reveals, demonstrates, suggests, proves, changes, supports

Partner check: Read your plan aloud. Ask your partner, “How does that prove your claim?” Revise one part after receiving feedback.

📝 Part 3: Draft, Check, and Extend

Success Criteria

Check each box when you can say “I can...”

I can write a clear claim that answers the question.

I can include relevant evidence from the text.

I can quote or paraphrase accurately.

I can explain why my evidence matters.

I can organize my paragraph with a beginning, middle, and ending.

I can use linking words and check my English conventions.

Reflection: My strongest part is ________________________________.

One part I will improve is __________________________________________.

Extension Challenge

Advanced writers: Add a second piece of evidence and explain how both details work together. You may also include this sentence frame: “Some readers might think __________; however, __________.”

Answer Key

1. T, E, X, C

2. The character speaks up even though friends may disagree.

3. This shows that he accepts responsibility.

4. Maya practices the difficult song every afternoon; Maya tries again after making a mistake.

Differentiation: Students may rehearse answers orally, use the sentence frames and word bank, draw or discuss an idea before writing, dictate to a scribe, or use speech-to-text. Grades 5–6 may use one clear piece of evidence. Grades 7–8 may use two pieces of evidence and address an alternative interpretation.