INDENTING A PARAGRAPH

1
INDENTING A PARAGRAPH

• Why do we have to indent?
• You will find out today!

2
Lets brainstorm! Why do you think we indent
paragraphs?
Now, lets see if we had the right ideas!
We will write our ideas here!

• at the beginning of a story
• when the topic changes
• when the speaker changes
• when the setting changes

3
How do paragraphs help readers?

• indicate when a change is coming in the story.
• help readers organize the story in their minds.
• provide a place to pause and reflect.
• assist readers in finding their places when
  they lose them while reading.

4
When you want to know when to indent, think about
this lady, Officer Pat!
Shes a member of the Paragraph Police!
PARAGRAPH
5
Think of her name and shell help you remember
when to indent to begin a new paragraph.
PARAGRAPH
6
Indent and make a new paragraph when (P) the
place changes.
7
Indent and make a new paragraph when (A) the
action changes.
8
Indent and make a new paragraph when (T) the
time changes.
9
Lets looks at some examples.

• Remember (P) stands for the place changes.

Sam and Jack walked down the crowded hall at
school. They stopped by their lockers to grab
their books. They were planning to study together
that afternoon and wanted to be sure they had
everything they needed before they left school.
Jack reminded Sam to get his Social Studies book.
They would definitely need that because their
project was due the next day. The halls soon
cleared of all the students who were anxious to
end their school day. As soon as they hit the
doors, they felt the freedom that always happily
came with 300. But as they walked down the
sidewalk towards Sams house, they soon realized
they werent quite free yet. It would be a long
afternoon working on finishing their project.
Do you see how the paragraphs are about two
different PLACES? The first paragraph is in
school in the hall, while the second paragraph is
outside the school building on the sidewalk.
10
Heres another example.

• Remember (A) stands for the action changes.

What a game! Sam and Jack were running side by
side down the soccer field. It was a long ways to
the net, but if they could just keep up their
stride, they would surely score the winning goal
for their team. Sam quickly kicked the ball to
Jack. The opponent came close to stealing the
soccer ball away, but Jacks awesome foot work
kept the ball in his possession. He took off like
a speed boat. He glanced over at Sam and nodded.
Sam knew he was about to get the chance to score.
In a flash, Jack side kicked the ball to Sam and
just like theyd practiced, he kicked the ball
right over the goalies head. Their team scored
just as time ran out! The crowd cheered and ran
onto the field. Sam and Jack gleamed with pride
as they gave each other a high 5! Walking
toward them was their coach. He was smiling ear
to ear. Their teammates ran over and lifted them
above their shoulders. If it wasnt for Sam and
Jack, they would have lost the game against their
toughest competition.
Do you see how the paragraphs are about two
different ACTIONS? The first paragraph takes
place while Sam and Jack are playing the soccer
game, while the second paragraph takes place
after the game.
11
Heres another example.

• Remember (T) stands for the time changes.

It was way later than Sams mom said they could
stay up, but Sam and his friend, Jack, had stayed
up watching a scary movie. They were laying on
the floor of the den in their sleeping bags. The
only sound was the tick-tock of the clock on the
mantle, unless you count the beating of their
hearts! The movie had been over for an hour, but
neither boy could sleep a wink just thinking
about it. Sam had asked Jack if he wanted to go
to his big brothers room to sleep, but both boys
knew theyd never live it down if they did. So
they laid there wishing sleep would hurry and
come. The next morning, Sams mom woke them up
at 800 a.m. They needed to get ready for their
early morning soccer practice. The boys rolled
over and looked at each other, wishing theyd
have gone to bed early. It was a cool morning,
and they were much too tired to get up.
Do you see how the paragraphs are about two
different TIMES? The first paragraph takes place
at night, while the second paragraph takes place
in the morning.