CONNECT WITH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN: Lesson #4

CONNECT WITH YOUR GRANDCHILDREN: Lesson #4

 

Awesome! Congratulations!

 

Do you know about paragraph construction rules?

 

Okay, read this carefully like a customs inspector at the border checking out a car. Do you like my similes?

 

A paragraph is composed of multiple sentences focused on A SINGLE, CLEARLY-DEFINED TOPIC. There should be exactly one main idea per paragraph, so whenever you move on to a new idea, you should start a new paragraph. 

 

The topic sentence that starts your paragraph should serve two purposes: first, it lets your reader know what the paragraph is going to be about; and, second, it highlights the connection between the present paragraph and the one that came before. In this case you are starting from scratch so no link necessary.

 

After your first sentence introduces the main idea, the remainder of the sentences in a paragraph should support or explain your topic. You may use these additional sentences to detail your position on the topic.  You might also provide examples, statistics, or other evidence that proves your point.  At the end of the paragraph, you may include some sort of conclusion or a transition that sets up the next idea you will be discussing (for example, “Because ballet is so difficult, dancers tend to not enjoy long careers.”)  Overall, making sure your reader knows how each sentence in the paragraph relates back to the topic sentence will greatly improve the quality of your writing, as does highlighting the connection between each paragraph and your thesis statement in a longer paper.

 

So, here is your plan:

1.         Topic sentence.

2.         Sentence related to topic.

3.         Sentence related to topic.

4.         Sentence related to topic.

5.         Concluding sentence. Often a re-statement of topic sentence (using other words) with a hint of transition to a new paragraph.

 

Here is a sample topic sentence & concluding sentence:

 

1.     In his era, Wayne Gretzky was the greatest goal scorer in the NHL, able to shoot forehand and backhand with deadly accuracy like an expert rifleman in the army.

5.     Having scored over 700 goals, it’s not likely that any current player might catch Gretzky, but Alex Ovechkin might come close.

 

Topic sentences uses a simile & introduces Gretzky as great goal scorer & next 4 sentences will deal with that.

 

Concluding sentence re-states (sort of) the topic sentence and hints at the next paragraph which will be about Ovy. 

 

Okay?

 

 

Do you get that info on paragraphs?

 

 

So, just asking.

Do you have a strategy for writing your paragraph on dancing?

Might you brainstorm ideas about dancing

Ex. Music, sound, practice, skill, body parts, grace, environment, speed, name of dancer, where dancing, dedication, compare to athlete, audience, why dance, etc.

What is the main idea about dancing?

 

 

 

We will soon move on to metaphors. BUT one last thing. Write a paragraph in which you use sensational similes to describe a dancer or dancing. Your paragraph should contain at least five sentences. Grandpa Mike loves dancers especially you when you were younger. Emmett & Theo are pretty good too.

 

You can watch this for inspiration - Top 10 BEST Dance Scenes in Dance Movies: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYn0uMkmFYo

 

My favourite is “West Side Story.” I LOVE IT! You can write about one dancer, two or more. You can choose any type of dancing or even how they warm up. I would avoid the belly dance. I think that ballet dancers and x-country skiers are the best athletes in the world. Did you know that your mother was a ballet dancer? She executed amazing jumps! I’m not trying to steer you towards writing about ballet but they have incredible muscle development in their thighs, calves and butts, the latter referred to as the gluteus maximus muscle in Latin when I studied anatomy at McMaster U. Yes, I went to Mac as well as Western.

 

 

 

OKAY? This is a BIG job. Use the rest of your timer. I know you can do it and that you will create a wonderful paragraph about dancing with a few terrific similes! We will go over it tomorrow.

 

Hugs,

GM