✏️ WritingGrade 2Lesson 4
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Write Complete Short Paragraphs

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Learning Objectives

  • 1Write a complete short paragraph with a topic sentence, detail sentences, and a closing sentence
  • 2Keep every sentence in the paragraph on the same topic
  • 3Use a closing sentence that wraps up the main idea without introducing a new one
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Mini Lesson

A paragraph is a group of sentences that are all about the same topic. Every great paragraph has three parts that work together.

Part 1 — The Topic Sentence

  • This is the first sentence of the paragraph.
  • It tells the reader what the whole paragraph is about.
  • Example: Dogs make wonderful pets.
  • A good topic sentence is clear — not too big, not too small.

Part 2 — The Detail Sentences

  • These sentences come after the topic sentence.
  • Each one adds a fact, reason, or example about the topic.
  • Example: They are loyal and love to play.
  • Example: Dogs also protect their owners.
  • Every detail sentence must stay on the same topic — no jumping to a new idea.

Part 3 — The Closing Sentence

  • This is the last sentence of the paragraph.
  • It wraps up the paragraph and reminds the reader of the main idea.
  • Example: That is why dogs are a person's best friend.
  • It should feel like a natural ending — not a new idea.
The three parts of a paragraphA vertical diagram showing topic sentence at the top, two detail sentences in the middle, and a closing sentence at the bottom, each in a different color.Parts of a Paragraph1. Topic SentenceTells what the paragraph is about2. Detail Sentence 1Adds a fact or reason3. Detail Sentence 2Adds another fact or reason4. Closing SentenceWraps up the paragraph
The four parts of a paragraph stacked in order — topic sentence (blue), two detail sentences (green), and closing sentence (orange).
Example paragraph about dogs with labeled partsA sample paragraph about dogs showing the topic sentence, two detail sentences, and the closing sentence with labels on the left side.Example ParagraphTOPICDogs make wonderful pets.DETAILThey are loyal and love to play.DETAILDogs also protect their owners.CLOSINGThat is why dogs are a person'sbest friend.
A complete sample paragraph with each sentence labeled topic, detail, or closing.
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Ask yourself: "Does my first sentence name the topic? Do my middle sentences all support that topic? Does my last sentence wrap it up?"

Vocabulary
Paragraph
A group of sentences that are all about the same topice.g. A paragraph about rain has a topic sentence, detail sentences, and a closing sentence.
Topic sentence
The first sentence of a paragraph — it tells what the whole paragraph is aboute.g. Dogs make wonderful pets.
Detail sentence
A sentence that adds a fact, reason, or example to support the topic sentencee.g. They are loyal and love to play.
Closing sentence
The last sentence of a paragraph — it wraps up the main idea without adding a new onee.g. That is why dogs are a person's best friend.
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