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Train Metaphor

Characteristics of a Good Paragraph

Process of Writing a Paragraph

Paragraph Rubric

When writing a paragraph, it is helpful to remember the train metaphor.

• A Topic Sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph and includes the topic or focus point.

    A topic sentence is like the engine of a train.

Supporting ideas (usually 2-3) develop and support the main idea of the paragraph.

  A supporting idea is like the coal car of the train.  Without this car, the train would not go very far.  Similarly, if you do not have a supporting idea, your paragraph will not be clear.

Topic Sentence with Supporting Idea

Reasons, Examples, Names, Numbers, and Senses (RENNS) give details and further explain the supporting details.

Just as the cargo cars are responsible for carrying the goods and merchandise on the train, RENNS carry the details of your sentence.  RENNS make your paragraph have value.

• A Closing Sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph and may summarize the supporting details or draw a conclusion for the topic of the paragraph

  Just like the caboose is the end of the train, your concluding sentence is the end of your paragraph.

• Unity means that all sentences in the paragraph directly support the topic sentence.

The train tracks make sure the train is going in the right direction.  You go in the "write direction" with your paragraph when all the sentence help to support or reinforce the topic sentence.

This is what happens when the sentences do not all go in the same direction.

Topic Sentence, Supporting Idea, and RENNS, and Concluding Sentence 

·       Topic sentence-15 points

·       Supporting idea—15 points

·       RENNS #1—15 points

·       RENNS #2—15 points

·       RENNS #3—15 points

·       Unity—15 points

·       Closing sentence—10 points

Fulmore Middle School--Characteristics of a Good Paragraph

• A Topic Sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph and includes the topic or focus point.

• Supporting ideas (usually 2-3) develop and support the main idea of the paragraph.

• Reasons, Examples, Names, Numbers, and Senses (RENNS) give details and further explain the supporting details.

• Unity means that all sentences in the paragraph directly support the topic sentence.

• A Closing Sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph and may summarize the supporting details or draw a conclusion for the topic of the paragraph

Process of Writing a Paragraph

1. Brainstorm topic sentence and supporting ideas.

2. Compose the topic sentence.  (Hint…if a writing prompt or question is provided, rewrite the prompt or question to create a topic sentence.)

3. Organize supporting ideas in a logical order.  Using a graphic organizer or topic outline can help in organization.

4. For each supporting idea, use RENNS to further explain the idea.

5. Check your paragraph for unity.

6. Compose your concluding sentence.