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Using The Paragraph Hamburger to Make Writing Easier (Includes 7 Colorful Slides For Use In The Classroom)

 

Teaching students how to write can be one of the hardest parts of being an English teacher.

Being able to transfer our thoughts, our ideas, our words onto a document in a way that is clear, structured, and understandable is neither easy to teach, nor to learn.


Normally, this process starts with the teaching of the basics of grammar, next comes the structure and forming of sentences, then paragraphs, and finally, an essay.

In this article, we are going to look at paragraphs, what they are, what their place is in an essay, and how to form them using the very popular Hamburger writing process.

What Is a Paragraph?

A paragraph is a distinct section of writing covering one topic. A paragraph will usually contain more than one sentence.

A paragraph starts on a new line. Sometimes, paragraphs are indented or numbered depending upon whatever format you use, but, remember to always be consistent.

The "perfect paragraph" will start with a topic sentence. It will have "Detail" sentences in the middle and end with a concluding sentence. It will only cover one topic from start to finish. The length of a paragraph is supposed to be determined by the topic, but often writers will create a paragraph simply to ensure that they are not presenting too much information in one chunk.

What is the Paragraph Hamburger?

The "paragraph hamburger" is a writing organizer that visually outlines the key components of a paragraph. Topic sentence, supporting/detail sentences, and a closing sentence are the main elements of a good paragraph, and each one forms a different "piece" of the hamburger.


Why use a paragraph hamburger organizer?

  • It helps students organize their ideas into a cohesive paragraph.
  • It helps show the organization or structure of concepts/ideas.
  • It demonstrates in a concrete way how information is related.
Steps to writing a paragraph
  1. Step1 — write an outline. (Brainstorming)
    When writing a paragraph, first write an outline of the paragraph and include: ...

  2. Step 2 — write the topic sentence. 
    Write a topic sentence that clearly explains the message that you wish to share. .

  3. Step 3 — write supporting sentences.
    Next, write a supporting sentence for each point.

  4. Step 4 — write concluding and follow-on sentences that sums-up this paragraph and then naturally leads the reader into the next paragraph.

    Below are a set of downloadable slides that clearly, and simply outline the concept of writing a paragraph using the Hamburger method.

    I hope that you find them interesting no matter whether you are a student or a teacher.

    Good luck
















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