Cottage Hill Baptist School

Improving Paragraphs


Use this information to improve your paragraphs in your essay. Use at least 4 Sentence Openers and 4 Dress-Ups for each paragraph. Also, use one paragraph transition in the first sentence of each paragraph, excluding the first paragraph. Print this page and check off the boxes at the right to show which ones were used in your writing.



 
Sentence Openers
(For each paragraph, use at least 4 at the beginning of sentences.)
Type Example P
1 2 3 4 5
Subject 1. The student felt confident and raised his hand to answer the question.
2. One day, a firedrill bell rang while we were taking a test.
3. He listened carefully as the teacher explained the notes. 		         
Preposition 1. In a hurry, she forgot to eat her breakfast.
2. Underneath the books, Tom found his homework.
3. Since last quarter, her grades have dramatically improved.
         
"ly"
(adverb)		 1. Calmly the student explained his problem to the teacher.
2. Usually Mr. Frank's special pizza is served on Wednesday.
3. Suddenly the whole class was extremely quiet.
          
"ing" 1. Squealing with excitement, the student accepted the award.
2. Speaking softly, the student explained the problem to the student sitting next to him.
3. Singing with enthusiasm, the student lead the school in the National Anthem.
          
Clause
(when, while, where, since, as, if although, because) 		1. Since he was finished, he turned in his test to the teacher.
2. Because the teacher asked him, the student sat quietly in his seat.
3. If you study for the test, you may pass the test.
         
transitions 1. Finally, they were finished reading the assignment.
2. Earlier in the day, the class went to computer.
3. For this reason, the class was allowed to go to the back field.

       

 

 
Dress-Ups
(For each paragraph, use at least 4 in the middle of sentences.)
Type Example P
1 2 3 4 5
who/which 1. The student which is from Canada, is adjusting well to our school.
2. Most of the students have met Tom, who was born in Canada.
3. Tom who liked to play the trumpet, was in the band. 		         
"ly" word
(adverb)		 1. The student suddenly remembered the answer to the test.
2. Because they left the classroom in a hurry, the student probably left the book there.
3. Sally obviously studied for the test.
          
strong verb
(use thesaurus) 		1. The student craves Mr. Frank's pizza. (instead of likes)
2. After he sat at the table, Phil devoured his pizza. (instead of ate)
3. After class, the student rushed to the library to return his book. (instead of went)
         
quality adjective
(use thesaurus) 		1. The enormous flag flew in front of the building. (instead of big)
2. After finishing, she realized that it was a very straighforward test. (instead of easy)
3. We took a very extensive test in history. (instead of long) 		         
Clause
(when, while, where, since, as, if, although) 		1. The students quietly listened while the announcements were made.
2. The students sat down when the morning prayer was finished.
3. Sam was delighted as he remembered everything he had studied.
          
because 1. The students quietly listened because the teacher was talking.

          


 

 
Paragraph Transitions
(Use one in the first sentence of each paragraph, except the first paragraph)
Type Example P
1 2 3 4 5
transitions In addition to reading the assignment, the students needed to answer the questions at the end of the chapter. There were 15 short answer questions and two essay questions. All of the questions shown were about the animals of the biomes.

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