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Mr.

Allen OGMS

How to Write a Summarizing Paragraph


A paragraph is a group of sentences related to a particular topic. Every paragraph has a key
concept or main idea. The main idea is the most important piece of information the author wants
you to know about the concept of that paragraph.
Summarizing paragraphs organize ideas into a topic sentence, supporting details and a
closing sentence. Each part helps to clarify the information to the reader. The topic sentence is the
first sentence of the paragraph. It introduces the main idea or subject. The body, or middle of the
paragraph, presents the supporting details. These sentences include facts and examples that support
the main idea stated in the topic sentence. Usually there are at least three key facts or examples to
support the main idea. Finally, the closing sentence ends the paragraph by rephrasing the main idea.
To keep the reader interested, it uses different words than those used in the topic sentence. In a
summarizing paragraph, the topic sentence, supporting details and closing sentence help to present
information in a clear and organized manner.

1. Topic Sentence
What is the topic sentence?
The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph.
What does it do?
It introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
How do I write one?
Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will be about.

2. Supporting Details
What are supporting sentences?
They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of a paragraph.
What do they do?
They give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph.
How do I write them?
Give supporting facts, details, and examples.

3. Closing (or Concluding) Sentence


What is the closing sentence?
The closing sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph.
What does it do?
It should ‘wrap up’ the paragraph by rephrasing the main idea of the paragraph.
How do I write one?
Rephrase the main idea of the paragraph.
Mr. Allen OGMS

How to Write a Good Expository Paragraph: Do’s and Don’ts


GOOD THINGS TO DO:
• Always be sure to come up with the main, big idea of your paragraph’s topic sentence.
Avoid using examples or specific details in your topic sentence --- only the main idea.
• Organize your facts and ideas in a way that develops your main idea. Once you have
chosen the most important point of your paragraph or essay, you must find the best way to
tell your reader about it. Decide which facts and ideas will best support the main idea of
your paragraph. Once you have chosen the facts and ideas you plan to use, ask yourself
which order to put them in the paragraph. Be sure to check your facts for accuracy.
• Write legibly and check your spelling. If your reader can’t read what you are trying to say,
your paragraph will not be effective.
• It’s okay to use transition words, but use them very sparingly. Examples: ‘in addition’,
‘also’, ‘for example’, ‘finally’. AVOID: “The first reason is that…” “Another reason is
that…”
• Read your paragraph out loud, if possible, after you are done. If it sounds funny, awkward,
or clumsy, then STOP -- rewrite it. If a sentence sounds clumsy to you, it is! Writing a
paragraph the first time should be considered a draft. Never write a paragraph and consider
it done. Edit your draft to make it as good as you can.

‘DO NOTS’ -- Check list:


• DO NOT start or write any sentence with: “ … is important for many reasons”
“I think that ….” “There are many reasons why…” “Some people say …”
• DO NOT ask questions to the reader.
• DO NOT use informal voice. Summarizing paragraphs use formal voice.
• Avoid proper pronouns such as “I” or “you” anywhere in the paragraph.
• DO NOT write a vague topic or closing sentence. For example: “The Native Americans
were very interesting.” “There are many reason why Lincoln was a great president.”
• DO NOT ramble on with unrelated information in your paragraph. [While a sentence or two
to give a little background is okay in your paragraph, try to stick to only those details that
support your main idea (topic sentence).]
• DO NOT write a closing/concluding sentence that introduces new ideas not found in your
topic sentence. Stick to the main topic of your topic sentence. If you didn’t talk about it in
your paragraph, DO NOT add it here.
• DO NOT write a closing/concluding sentence that is exactly the same as your topic sentence.
• Avoid redundancy – i.e. repeating the same thing.
• DO NOT break up your paragraph so it looks like it’s more than one paragraph. When
you write a paragraph, you indent the first line and write it as a ‘block’ until you are done
with it. Be sure to indent your first sentence.
• DO NOT end your paragraph with: “Now you know why…” “You can see that…”
“So that is why…” “But the important thing about…” “These are the reasons…”
“All these reasons are why…” “This sums up why…”
Mr. Allen OGMS

How a Summarizing Paragraph is Organized


Topic Sentence________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________.
Supporting Details ________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
Closing/Concluding sentence________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________.

Sample Paragraphs

Below are two simple paragraphs. Underline the topic sentence. Underline the
concluding sentence. Analyze the effectiveness of each topic and closing sentence.

1. People enjoy the companionship of cats. Many cats are affectionate. They will snuggle up
and ask to be petted, or scratched under the chin. Few people can resist petting a purring cat. If
they're not feeling affectionate, cats are generally quite playful. They love to chase balls and
feathers, or just about anything dangling from a string. They especially enjoy playing when their
owners are participating in the game. Contrary to popular opinion, cats can be trained. Using
rewards and punishments, just like with a dog, a cat can be trained to avoid unwanted behavior
or perform tricks. Cats will even fetch! Cats bring lots of joy to people.

2. Abraham Lincoln’s achievements made him one of our greatest presidents. Lincoln’s
determination preserved our country during the Civil War. He led the fight against slavery, an
institution counter to the very core American values of freedom and liberty. He reminded
Americans that all people are created equal. Also, he reaffirmed America’s most basic principle
of government. In the United States, the government is “of the people, by the people and for the
people.” Lincoln will always be remembered for his great ideas and contributions.
Mr. Allen OGMS

Rubric: Summarizing Paragraph Writing


4 3.9-3.0 2.9-2.5 2.4 – 2.0
• Writer has clearly • Writer has clearly • Writer has identified • Writer has not
identified the main identified the main the main idea. identified the main
idea in a creative way. idea. • A topic sentence idea or it’s not well
• A topic sentence • A topic sentence states the main developed.
clearly and succinctly clearly and idea, though it may • A topic sentence
states the main idea; succinctly states be not clear as it does not clearly
the writer has the main idea; could be; many of state the main
included all of the most or all of the the supporting idea; there are
supporting details important details and/or several important
and/or examples supporting details examples relevant supporting details
relevant to the main and/or examples to the main idea are and/or examples
idea in the body; relevant to the in the paragraph that are missing;
supporting details are main idea are in body; some not all are relevant
well organized and the paragraph supporting details to the main idea in
clearly stated and body; supporting are not explained; the body;
show insight into the details are the closing sentence supporting details
subject; details are organized and recaps the main are not well
from sources beyond clearly stated; the idea, but is partly organized; the
classroom sources closing sentence repetitive. closing sentence
used; the closing recaps the main • A few spelling and does not recap the
sentence recaps the idea in an original grammar errors; main idea or simply
main idea in an way. demonstrates basic copies it.
original way. • Correct spelling sentence; neatly • Numerous errors in
• Correct spelling and and grammar; written; mostly spelling and
grammar; excellent good sentence proper use of grammar; lacks
sentence fluency; fluency; neatly conventions; some sentence fluency;
neatly written; proper written; proper use poor word choice. not neatly written;
use of conventions; of conventions; • Mostly appropriate improper use of
neatly typed; some minor errors. voice, i.e. formal; no conventions;
demonstrates a high • Appropriate voice, personal pronouns demonstrates poor
level of word choice. i.e. formal; no used towards the word choice.
• Appropriate voice, i.e. personal pronouns reader or about the • Some inappropriate
formal; no personal used towards the writer. voice, i.e. not
pronouns used reader or about the • 6-Traits: 3-4 formal; uses
towards the reader or writer. rubric personal pronouns.
about the write • 6-Traits: 4-5 • Some of the do’s • 6-Traits: 2-3
• 6-Traits: 6-5 rubric rubric and don’ts of the rubric
• Follows all of the • Follows the do’s paragraph • Doesn’t follow
do’s and don’ts of and don’ts of the guidelines are not many of the do’s
paragraph paragraph followed. and don’ts of
guidelines guidelines with paragraph
very minor guidelines and
issues typing.

Rubric Score 1.0: Little to no effort put into work. Main idea and details/examples are inappropriate, missing
or undeveloped. Does not follow the guidelines for paragraph writing/typing. 6-traits: 1 rubric

>>>>>>Summarizing paragraphs must be typed<<<<<<<<<<

♦ 12 pt Times New Roman (this font is Times New Roman )


♦ 1.25” margins top/bottom, right/left
♦ Paragraph is double spaced
♦ Header—upper left corner -- single spaced
♦ No title needed for a summarizing paragraph
♦ Paragraph should be about ½ - ¾ page long
Mr. Allen OGMS

What is wrong with this ‘paragraph’? Correct all problems.

I think Abraham Lincoln is a great president for many reasons.


The reason is because he saved our country during the Civil War.
Another reason is that he did have trouble finding good generals
but he finally found one in Genaral Grant. We were lucky. He was
our 16th president. Another thing, he was married to may Todd
Lincoln. And, he led the fight against slavery, it’s a bad thing that
goes against our freedom. Freedom means doing what you want.
He helped us win the Civil War. The Civil War was the war
between the North and the South.

Do you know what else he did? He told us that all people are
created equal. Also, he reminded us of our most basic thing
about our government. In the United States, our govornment is
of the people, by the people and for the people. There is a statue
of Lincoln in Washington, D.C. I think Lincoln was our best
president. Now you know why Lincoln will always be remembered
and we will always wonder why he was assasinated by John
Wilkes Booth.

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