The%203.8%20Paragraph

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The 3.8 Paragraph

• OR
• Writing the No-Hassle Way

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What is a 3.8?
The 3.8 Paragraph is made up of

• 1 topic
• 3 points
• 8 sentences

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Sentence 1The topic sentence

• The first sentence states the central idea of a
  body paragraph.
• Example Many important Civil War battles were
  fought in West Virginia.

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Sentences 2 and 3Discuss point 1

• Sentences 2 and 3 develop the first point you
  wish to make with details, reasons, or examples.
• Example To begin, the battle of Phillipi, which
  occurred in May 1860 is considered the first land
  battle of the Civil War. This battle is
  memorable because the Confederate Army retreated
  so rapidly that this battle is often referred to
  as the Phillipi Races.

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Sentences 4 and 5Discuss point 2

• Sentences 4 and 5 develop the second point with
  details, reasons, or examples.
• Example Additionally, the largest of West
  Virginias Civil War battles was fought at Droop
  Mountain. The Confederates captured 580 prisoners
  there.

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Sentences 6 and 7Discuss point 3

• Sentences 6 and 7 develop the third point with
  details, reasons, or examples.
• Example Finally, the little town of Romney,
  West Virginia was an important hub for the
  east-west railroad lines. The area changed hands
  56 times during the course of the war because
  each side wanted control of the BO Railroad.

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Sentence 8The conclusion (or clincher)

• Sentence 8 concludes the paragraph by restating
  or summarizing the topic sentence.
• Example As you can see, these battles were
  important and made West Virginia a crucial
  location during the Civil War.

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Now, lets put it all together

• Many important Civil War battles were fought
  in West Virginia.
• To begin, the battle of Phillipi, which occurred
  in May 1860 is considered the first land battle
  of the Civil War. This battle is memorable
  because the Confederate Army retreated so rapidly
  that this battle is often referred to as the
  Phillipi Races. Additionally, the largest of
  West Virginias Civil War battles was fought at
  Droop Mountain. The Confederates captured 580
  prisoners there. Finally, the little town of
  Romney, West Virginia was an important hub for
  the east-west railroad lines. The area changed
  hands 56 times during the course of the war
  because each side wanted control of the BO
  Railroad.
• As you can see, these battles were important and
  made West Virginia a crucial location during the
  Civil War.

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Now, lets recap the 3.8 formula

• Sentence 1--the topic sentence that states the
  central idea
• Sentences 2 3--develop point one
• Sentences 4 5--develop point two
• Sentences 6 7--develop point three
• Sentence 8--the clincher--restates the topic
  sentence.

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Its quiz time...

• Its time to get pencil and paper.
• Put your name and todays date on your paper and
  number from 1 to 6.
• You will choose the best answer for each item.

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What do you remember about 3.8?

• 1. The 3.8 paragraph is one paragraph with
• a. 3 sentences
• b. 8 sentences
• c. 11 sentences
• 2. The 3.8 paragraph makes
• a. 1 point
• b. 2 points
• c. 3 points
• continued--gt

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Quiz continued

• 3. The first sentence
• a. develops one point
• b. is the topic sentence
• c. is the concluding sentence
• 4. The sentences developing point one are
• a. 2 and 3
• b. 4 and 5
• c. 6 and 7

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Quiz continued

• 5. Sentences 6 and 7 develop
• a. Point 1
• b. Point 2
• c. Point 3
• 6. The eighth sentence
• a. develops point 2
• b. five examples or details
• c. rewords or summarizes the topic sentence