Paragraph -- Unite!

Every Sentence Supports One Main Idea

One Main Idea

Every paragraph should be about one main idea.  A topic sentence may tell the main idea.  Other sentences support or explain the main idea.  A closing sentence may summarize that idea.  But all the sentences should maintain paragraph unity.  They should all be united around one main idea.

How many main ideas should be in a paragraph?

What should you do with sentences that don't belong in a paragraph?

Take them out!

Practice

There is one sentence in each of the following paragraphs that does not belong.  Find the sentence that should be taken out from each paragraph. 

Sofia's Breakfast

     Sofia always eats breakfast before school. She usually has cereal. Today she is eating a grapefruit.  Once in awhile her mom will make Sofia toast and eggs.  Sofia's bus comes at 8:00 a.m. Tomorrow she is planning on making muffins.

Chalk Drawing

     During recess Sofia likes to draw. While other kids are playing on the playground, Sofia uses chalk to draw pictures on the sidewalk.  She draws a sun, the moon, and some stars.  Ben is swinging very high on the swing. Sofia uses every spare moment to draw or color something beautiful. 

Which sentence should be taken out?

Bedtime Books   

     Sofia likes to read before going to bed.  Her favorite books have no words!  She reads the pictures.  She studies how each picture is drawn.  When she closes her eyes she can still see the pictures.  In school earlier she read an article about bears.  Sofia likes looking at beautiful pictures before going to sleep.  Sometimes they show up in Sofia's dreams.

Which sentence from the passage detracts from the central idea?

A. "Her favorite books have no words!"

B.  "When she closes her eyes she can still see the pictures."

C. "In school earlier she read an article about bears."

D.  "Sometimes they show up in Sofia's dreams."

Answer Key