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Beginning Writing 1
• Saddleback Publishing, Inc. © 2001 • Three Watson, Irvine, CA 92618 • Phone: (888) 735-2225 • Fax: (888) 734-4010 • www.sdlback.com
NAME DATE
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DEVELOPING PARAGRAPHS: USING RELEVANT DETAILS
You know that the topic sentence in a paragraph states the main idea. A sentence
that does
not
relate to that main idea does not belong in the paragraph.
A.
Circle the two illustrations that do not relate to the main idea of this
topic sentence:
Certain occupations require great courage as well as skill.
B.
Circle the letter of the item that does not support the topic.
1.
TOPIC: a camping trip
a. setting up the tent c. hearing noises in the woods
b. lighting the campfire d. shopping at the mall
2.
TOPIC: Fourth of July fun
a. fireworks b. sunburns c. barbecues d. parades
3.
TOPIC: characters on the bus
a. the whining toddler c. the broken seat
b. the humming man d. the wisecracking bus driver
4.
TOPIC: the pet shop
a. puppies b. parakeets c. candles d. canaries
C.

1.
The great white shark is one of the world’s most powerful and efficient hunters.
Up to five rows of razor-sharp teeth line its huge jaw. An adult may reach a length
of 18 feet and a weight of 3,500 pounds. The largest recorded great white was 21
feet long and 7,000 pounds! The great white can see its prey from 30 to 40 feet
away. It can follow the smell of blood and easily track its next meal.
METHOD OF DEVELOPMENT: _____________________________________
2.
Most often the great white shark will not threaten humans. A group of Florida
deep-sea divers faced a great white while filming undersea life. As it circled
them, the divers stayed calm. They knew that humans are not a shark’s favorite
menu item. Because a shark is more likely to attack a lone swimmer, the divers
stayed close together. The great white circled again. Then it moved on.
METHOD OF DEVELOPMENT: _____________________________________
B.
A topic sentence can be developed in more than one way. Before each
topic sentence, write FF for facts and figures or EX for examples to tell
how you would most likely develop the main idea.
1. _____ Some unusual characters live in my apartment building.
2. _____ Fair-weather states are the fastest-growing places in America.
3. _____ Baseball’s Babe Ruth was a record-breaker!
CHALLENGE: Choose one of the topic sentences below. On the back of this sheet,
write a paragraph using facts and figures or examples to develop the idea.
Write at least three detail sentences to support your topic sentence.
TOPIC SENTENCES: Football (or any sport) can be very dangerous.
The year 2000 was one to remember!
Ignoring safety rules can get a biker in trouble.
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Beginning Writing 1
• Saddleback Publishing, Inc. © 2001 • Three Watson, Irvine, CA 92618 • Phone: (888) 735-2225 • Fax: (888) 734-4010 • www.sdlback.com

B.
Writers use certain words to clue readers that they are comparing or
contrasting two things. Decide which words introduce differences and
which introduce similarities. Write D for differences and S for similarities.
drop head first take nerve and skill use more equipment
C.
Reread the paragraph on sky surfing. Circle words that clue the reader
that the writer is either comparing or contrasting.
CHALLENGE: On the back of this sheet, write a paragraph comparing and
contrasting two activities. Make sure your paragraph has a topic sentence
and at least three sentences of support. Remember to use clue words!
1. ____ both
2. ____ but
3. ____ similarly
4. ____ however
5. ____ also
6. ____ likewise
7. ____ in comparison
8. ____ although
Saddleback Publishing, Inc. © 2001 • Three Watson, Irvine, CA 92618 • Phone: (888) 735-2225 • Fax: (888) 734-4010 • www.sdlback.com •
Beginning Writing 1
41
NAME DATE
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DEVELOPING PARAGRAPHS: CAUSE AND EFFECT
Writers sometimes show a
cause-and-effect
relationship between ideas.
EXAMPLES:
Many Native Americans died because the Europeans brought new diseases.

RRHUJOKEOGTV
EENL JNECTWQL
JYOTMYTSSOSH
EFFECT
➝
CAUSE
➝
EFFECT
➝
CAUSE
➝
EFFECT
CAUSE
CAUSE
CAUSE
CAUSE
➝
➝
➝
➝
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Beginning Writing 1
• Saddleback Publishing, Inc. © 2001 • Three Watson, Irvine, CA 92618 • Phone: (888) 735-2225 • Fax: (888) 734-4010 • www.sdlback.com
NAME DATE
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DEVELOPING PARAGRAPHS: PUTTING DETAIL SENTENCES IN ORDER
How do you organize a paragraph? One of the most common ways is to list
details in order of time. It makes sense to use chronological, or time, order
when the paragraph tells how to do something or what happened.
One detail listed in each item is not in chronological order. Circle the

above in paragraph form. Add clue words that make the sequence clear.
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Beginning Writing 1
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NAME DATE
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DEVELOPING PARAGRAPHS: USING TRANSITIONS
Good writers use words and phrases that help tie one sentence, point,
or idea to another. These words and phrases, called
transitions
, are like
signposts. They help readers follow the writer’s thoughts. Read the following
paragraph. Notice how the italicized transitions serve as a guide to meaning.
Some people describe Dr. Miller as unemotional. She is at her
office six days a week, however, caring for her patients. She also
makes after-hours house calls to the elderly.

Consequently
,
I would
call Dr. Miller one of the most caring people I know.
A.
Circle the transitional words hidden
in the puzzle. Words may go up, down,
across, backward, or diagonally. Check
off each word as you find it.
___ THEREFORE ___ HOWEVER ___ NOW
___ FURTHERMORE ___ FINALLY ___ THUS
___ FORTUNATELY ___ OTHERWISE ___ THEN
___ CONSEQUENTLY ___ ALSO ___ YET

DLYSLXUZJTLR
ENOGNSRLHEWE
YLTNEUQESNOC
ES IWREHTOTEY
result
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Beginning Writing 1
• Saddleback Publishing, Inc. © 2001 • Three Watson, Irvine, CA 92618 • Phone: (888) 735-2225 • Fax: (888) 734-4010 • www.sdlback.com
NAME DATE
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DEVELOPING PARAGRAPHS: REVIEW
A.
Read the paragraph. Then follow the four instructions.
Although the planet Venus is right next to Earth in our
solar system, it is a different kind of place. Like Earth, Venus
is surrounded with clouds. The clouds of Venus, however,
are not made up of water. They are swirling mists of a chemical
called sulfuric acid. A second big difference between Earth and Venus
is the temperature. Scientists have found that Venus is very hot—about
900 degrees F. On the planet Mercury, it is very hot during the day and very
cold at night. The differences between Earth and Venus would, indeed, make
this neighboring planet an unlikely place for Earthlings to live!
1. Underline the topic sentence that states the main idea of the paragraph.
2. Draw a line through the one detail sentence that does not support the
main idea.
3. Circle a transitional word or phrase the writer uses to guide the reader.
4. Circle the letter of the method the writer uses to develop the paragraph.
a. facts and figures c. compare and contrast
b. example d. cause and effect
B.

your readers to gain from your work? What purpose will your writing accomplish?
COMMON PURPOSES FOR WRITING: EXAMPLES:
•to describe or explain travel guide, assembly instructions
•to entertain humorous poem, mystery story
•to inform news story, science report
•to persuade political campaign speech, ad
A.
Each sentence below is the first sentence of a paragraph.
On the line after each sentence, write describe, entertain,
inform, or persuade to show the writer’s purpose.
1. The deeper we dove, the more beautiful and
mysterious the undersea world became. ________________________
2. In the 1800s, the Cherokee tribe made one of
the saddest journeys in American history. ________________________
3. My brother Devin (better known as Devin
the Devil) was up to his tricks again! ________________________
B.
For each subject, write topic sentences that suggest two different purposes.
1.
SUBJECT: bird feeders
a. how to build a bird house
(inform) ________________________________
________________________________________________________________
b. why people should buy bird houses
(persuade) _____________________
________________________________________________________________
2.
SUBJECT: tornadoes
a. the causes of tornadoes
(inform) __________________________________

Circle the topic in each group that is narrow enough to develop
in a single paragraph.
1. cooking foreign cooking making a pizza ethnic restaurants
2. senior citizens retirement homes a visit with Grandpa
3. my favorite website computers the World Wide Web
4. winter the seasons snow building a snow fort
5. school my school the worst school rule school rules
6. an unforgettable character my favorite book my favorite mystery
7. my family brothers and sisters advantages of being the oldest child
8. cats my cat Spooky how Spooky the cat got her name
B.
Narrow each of the following subjects to a topic suitable for one paragraph.
Write the more specific topic on the line. The first one has been done for you.
1. TV ➞ TV commercials ➞ ____________________________________________
2. books ➞ children’s books ➞ __________________________________________
3. horror films ➞ Frankenstein ➞ ______________________________________
4. occupations ➞ jobs for teens ➞ _______________________________________
5. biking ➞ bike safety ➞ ______________________________________________
6. hobbies ➞ photography ➞ ___________________________________________
7. presidents ➞ Abraham Lincoln ➞ ____________________________________
8. driving ➞ teenage drivers ➞ _________________________________________
CHALLENGE: On the back of this sheet, write a paragraph based on one of the
topics on this worksheet. Make sure your topic is narrow enough!
the worst TV commercial I’ve seen
Saddleback Publishing, Inc. © 2001 • Three Watson, Irvine, CA 92618 • Phone: (888) 735-2225 • Fax: (888) 734-4010 • www.sdlback.com •
Beginning Writing 1
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NAME DATE
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PREWRITING

TOPIC SENTENCE
VOTE FOR ME
BECAUSE . . .