Thursday 24th June 2021

L.C. To explain how paragraphs are used to order, build ideas and how they are linked.

Why do we use paragraphs?

How does this differ when looking at non-fiction texts and fictional?

What are paragraphs?

Paragraphs are groups of sentences written about the same idea or topic. They are used to show when a writer has changed time, place, idea, person, thought or argument.  If a writer changes one of these, a new paragraph will start.

Why use paragraphs?

Paragraphs make the organisation of a piece of writing clear, making it easier to read and understand. The writer assists the reader by ‘chunking’ related thoughts or ideas.

Whatever type of story you are writing, paragraphs will help you to structure it. Paragraphs will always make it easier for the reader to understand.

Paragraphs can also be used in stories, to:

Your Teacher will now model how to find the subject matter within the paragraph.

He took out of his pocket a tin-opener which he usually carried about with him. It was the sort with a buttery handle which you had to turn. Just to show, he fitted it on to the bottom of one of the empty tins and twisted the handle. The opener crept round the edge of the tin, the blade ploughed into the metal at the bottom, and soon the shiny round disc of metal came loose.

What is the subject matter of this paragraph?

Stig was fascinated. He looked at the at round piece of tin which had been the bottom, he looked at the empty tube which was all that was left of the rest of it. And he took the tin-opener from Barney and turned the handle, but he couldn’t make it out.

What is the subject matter of this paragraph?

‘It’s quite easy, Stig. Look!’ and Barney took another tin, fitted the opener on the bottom, and showed him how to work it. And there was another round plate and another tin tube. Then Stig had to have a go, and they started on a third.

What is the subject matter of this paragraph?

What is the link between all 3 subject matters?

Your Task
On Seesaw, you have been given some paragraphs from Chapter 6. You must read the paragraphs carefully to identify which subject matter is present. Once you have identified the subject matter in each paragraph, identify what links all the paragraphs.