El Monte - Rosemead Adult School
2014-2015 ESL Level 6 Class
Mrs. Grubb & Mr. Miyahara
Steps To Write a Basic Paragraph
Step 1: Brainstorming
Brainstorming prepares your brain for what you are going to write about. In brainstorming simply write down key words that reminds you of the topic. Do not worry about complete sentences or spelling at this point - this is just to get you started.
Topic:
A common food in Mexico:
Beans
When is it eaten?
Ex: breakfast, dinner, Christmas, special occations, as a snack
How is it eaten?
Ex: boiled, fried, mashed, sliced, with rice?
Why is it eaten?
Ex: grows easily in Mexico, self cultivated, healthy & filling
Who eats it?
Ex: most people. Inexpensive.
Can feed whole family
Step 2: Outlining
Outlining narrows your choices of supporting sentences. It puts your key words into complete sentences. This makes it easier to write you first paragraph draft.
I'm a paragraph. Click here to add your own text and edit me. I’m a great place for you to tell a story and let your users know a little more about you.
Paragraph Outline:
Introduction: In Mexico, a common food is beans.
Supporting detail 1: There are many different kinds of beans. The most common ones are pinto, black and refried.
Supporting detail 2: Beans are served most commonly as a side dish with Spanish rice.
Supporting detail 3: Many will eat beans for most every meal. It is often served with eggs as a breakfast burrito. Many will eat Chalupas for lunch, where beans are spread out on a fried tortilla. For dinner, there is often some kind of meat, and beans are then the all important side dish.
Supporting detail 4: Beans are healthy for you. It is cheap to buy and it fills you up.
Conclusion: In conclusion, beans are so popular in Mexico that the country has become known for them.
Step 3: First Draft
Your first draft is very similar to your paragraph outline. It puts the sentences in order and uses transitional words to guide the reader. The writer needs to maker sure that all sentences are complete and relate to the main topic. Proper grammar and spelling should be used. The writer also needs to use the proper format for paragraph writing.
First name, Last name
ESL Level 5pm
mm/dd/yr
Mexican Beans
In Mexico, a common food is beans. There are many different kinds of beans, but the most common ones are pinto, black and refried. Beans are served most commonly as a side dish, along with Spanish rice. Many will eat beans for most every meal. For breakfast it is often served with eggs as a breakfast burrito. For lunch, many will eat Chalupas where beans are spread out on a fried tortilla. For dinner, there is often some kind of meat, and beans are then the all important side dish. Beans not only taste good, it’s also healthy for you. In addition, it is cheap to buy and it fills you up.In conclusion, beans are so popular in Mexico that the country has become known for them. I personally love beans and eat them daily.
Step 4: Final Draft
Your final draft is written after the teacher has corrected you first draft. It should contain no errors.