Writing

a Color Coded

“Power Paragraph”

A proper “power paragraph” has the following parts:

Topic Sentence. Transition, First Reason/Detail/

Fact. Example/Quote/Explanation. Transition,

Second Reason/Detail/Fact. Example/Quote/Explanation.

Transition, Third Reason/Detail/Fact. Example/Quote/

Explanation. Transition, Restatement of Topic Sentence.

OVERVIEW

• It is highlighted in GREEN.• It is one sentence. • It states the main idea, or purpose to the

reader.• It does NOT contain supporting details.• Example: Puppies are fun and cute, but choosing

one requires planning and responsibility, even before you bring it home.

What is a Topic Sentence?

Transition, Reason-Detail or Fact (one sentence)

Give the first reason, detail or fact you are using to support your topic sentence.

• Start with a transition. (Use a list of transitions and start to learn them.) This should be BLUE.

• Use the transition that fits the organization type of writing. This example paragraph is written in chronological order because it explains what to do first, second, etc.

• Then, give your reason, detail or fact in YELLOW.• Example: First, you need to prepare for the puppy by having

the right supplies.

Common Transition Words Showing Sequence

at first, first of all, to begin with, in the first place, at the same time,

for now, for the time being, the next step, in time, in turn, later on,

meanwhile, next, then, soon, the meantime, later, while, earlier,

simultaneously, afterward, in conclusion, with this in mind

Example (Quote)/Explanation (one sentence or more

Explain what your first reason, detail or fact means. It may help to give examples.

• Example using a quote or explanation should be in PINK.

• You need at least one pink sentence, but preferably more.

Example: To explain, make sure you have a crate or area in your home set aside for the puppy to stay in when you’re not around. You’ll also need a collar, a leash, some toys, and puppy food.

Transition, Reason-Detail or Fact (one sentence)

Give the second reason, detail or fact you are using to support your topic sentence.

• Notice the color coded pattern repeats again• Again start with a transition set and start to learn some of the

common ones• Use the transition that fits the organizational type of writing• Example: Next, once you have the necessary supplies, you

need to decide where to get the puppy.

Example (Quote)/Explanation (one sentence or more

Explain what your second reason, detail or fact means. Again, it may help to give examples.

• Examples and explanations should be in PINK.• You need at least one pink sentence, but preferably more.

Example: For example, you can get puppies at a pet store or an animal shelter. Sometimes, animal shelters are a better choice, because they are less expensive. Then, you are saving a puppy that doesn’t have a home.

Example (Quote)/Explanation (one sentence or more

• If you want to give an example using a quotation from a book or other source, it should look like this: “Quotation as it appears in the source” (Author’s Last Name Page). --The period comes after the parentheses—NOT the quotation marks --Notice there is NO comma or the word “page” in the parentheses

. EXAMPLE: “At first Edmund tried to remember that it is

rude to speak with one’s mouth full, but soon he forgot about this and thought only of trying to shovel down as much Turkish delight as he could, and the more he ate the more he wanted to eat, and he never asked himself why the Queen should be so inquisitive” (Lewis 37).

Transition, Reason-Detail or Fact (one sentence)

Give your third reason, detail or fact that supports your topic sentence.

• Repeat the colored pattern for a THIRD time

• Again, it begins with a transition.

• Example: After deciding where to get the puppy, you should look for one that has good qualities.

Example (Quote)/Explanation (one sentence or more

Explain what your third reason, detail or fact means. Again, it may help to give examples.

• Examples and explanations should be in PINK.

• You need at least one pink sentence, but preferably more.

Example: For example, the puppy should not be too timid or too aggressive. It should respond to noises and allow you to pet it.

Example (Quote)/Explanation (one sentence or more

• If you quote from the same book a second time ONLY put the page—NOT the author.

• Again, notice that the period is after the parentheses, not the quotation marks.

EXAMPLE “Then suddenly they felt coats around them instead of branches and next moment they were both standing outside the wardrobe in the empty room” (43).

Transition, Restatement of Topic Sentence (one sentence)

At the end of the paragraph, remind your reader of your main idea.

• Use a transition that sums up or ends the topic, such as finally, all in all, etc. This should be in BLUE.

• Write your topic sentence using different words. This should be GREEN.

• Example: All in all, getting a puppy is an exciting experience, but it is important to make the necessary preparations.

A proper “power paragraph” has the following parts:

Topic Sentence. Transition, Reason/Detail/

Fact. Example/Quote/Explanation. Transition,

Reason/Detail/Fact. Example/Quote/Explanation.

Transition, Reason/Detail/Fact. Example/Quote/

Explanation. Topic Sentence.

TO REVIEW:

Puppies are fun and cute, but choosing one requires planning and responsibility, even before you bring it home. First, you need to prepare for the puppy by having the right supplies. Make sure you have a crate or area in your home set aside for the puppy to stay in when you’re not around. You’ll also a collar, a leash, some toys, and puppy food. Next, once you have the necessary supplies, you need to decide where to get the puppy. You can get puppies at a pet store or an animal shelter. Sometimes animal shelters are a better choice because they are less expensive and you are saving a puppy that doesn’t have a home. After deciding where to get the puppy, you should look for one that has good qualities. The puppy should not be too timid or too aggressive. It should respond to noises and allow you to pet it. All in all, getting a puppy is an exciting experience, but it is important to make the necessary preparations.