Paragraphs
A short captioned lesson on how to group sentences by idea, for older children. Free, with a full transcript and teaching notes.
Read the whole lesson
Paragraphs A page of writing with no breaks can feel like a wall. Paragraphs are the doors that let a reader in. Let us see how they work.
One idea, one paragraph A paragraph is a group of sentences about one idea. When the idea changes, you start a new paragraph. It is like starting a new room.
Time, place, topic, person Here is a quick check. Start a new paragraph when the time changes, the place changes, the topic changes, or a new person speaks.
A new place, a new paragraph Imagine a story. First paragraph: a boy sets off for school. Second paragraph: at school, he finds a surprising note. The place has changed.
A new topic Now a non-fiction page about frogs. One paragraph on what frogs eat. A new paragraph on where they live. Each paragraph has a main idea.
New line, small gap Start a new paragraph on a new line. In handwriting you can leave a small gap at the start. On a computer, leave a blank line between them.
Mark the breaks Read your own writing aloud. Wherever you pause for a change of idea, mark a double slash. Those are your paragraph breaks.
Try it today Paragraphs help your reader follow you. Try splitting your next piece of writing into three or four. You will see the difference at once.
For grown-ups Teaching notes
- A paragraph is a group of sentences about one idea. A new paragraph starts when the idea, time, place or speaker changes.
- Teach the TiPToP prompts (time, place, topic, person) as a quick check. Also known by other names, so use whichever fits your class.
- Have children read their own writing and mark where a new paragraph might begin with a double slash.
- On paper, start a new line and leave a small gap or indent. On screen, leave a blank line.
Tip: pause the video after each picture, ask the child to say the answer, then press play.