Four-Square Organization

Mack Gipson, Jr. Tutorial and Enrichment

Center

Gayla S. Keesee, Education Specialist

rev. 9/2006

Descriptive Paragraph

Structure of a Paragraph

Introduction Topic Sentence Subject = topic of

paragraph Controlling idea—

judgment or attitude about the topic

Body 3 levels supporting

details Answer who, what, why,

where, when, how?

Conclusion Provides closure—

clincher sentence

Topic Sentence

Points to Remember Subject = topic of

paragraph Controlling idea—

judgment or attitude about the topic

Complete Sentence Not the Prompt!!

Usual Locations First sentence Last sentence Middle

Transition words and expressions help connect ideas within and between

paragraphs. They do this by showing relationships, such as addition or contrast or

result

Teacher: Your paper doesn’t show a smooth flow of thoughts. You need to add transitions between ideas and paragraphs.

Student: I have no idea what a transition is. What are some words that I can use to make my paper flow?

Paint a picture with words

Paint a picture with words

Basic Paragraph

Topic Sentence Transition + 1st Supporting Detail

Transition + Example, Incident, Statistic

Transition + Example, Incident, Statistic

Transition + Example, Incident, Statistic

Transition + 2nd Supporting Detail

Transition + Example, Incident, Statistic

Transition + Example, Incident, Statistic

Transition + Example, Incident, Statistic

Transition + 3rd Supporting Detail

Transition + Example, Incident, Statistic

Transition + Example, Incident, Statistic

Transition + Example, Incident, Statistic

Transition + Clincher Sentence

Sample Paragraph My experience in the nature study area

was full of surprises. First of all, many unexpected creatures

crossed our path. For example, as soon as we left the

parking area and entered the grassy path, a long snake slithered along the edge of the high grass and quickly disappeared.

In addition, I was surprised by how colorful the grasses, which from a distance all appear to be green, actually are. Specifically, the primarily green landscape

is dotted with countless purple tassels and brown stalks.

Finally and most importantly, I was unprepared for how quickly I felt surrounded by nature. Although the noise from passing cars and

airplanes occasionally intrudes, the high prairie grasses and rolling pathways create a sense that one is removed from civilization.

Altogether, the nature study area unexpectedly allows one to enjoy an ever-changing natural environment without leaving campus.

Body Paragraphs From Broad to Specific

Level 1: Topic Sentence Controlling sentence

names and controls the topic

Level 2: Clarifying Sentences Help make the topic

clearer—explain how support topic sent.

Level 3: Completing sentences Add specific

details/examples to complete the picture

Animal (essay level)

Dogs

Poodles

Fifi

• Names (people, movie, restaurant,

rides)• Best friend—Rochelle, Waiting to Exhale• Arby’s, Georgia Cyclone

• Numbers• Three goldfish, 28 ounces, 18 years

• Dates/Times• Last Thursday, July 4, morning, from 8:00-

12:00

• Places• May Park, Clarke Middle School

• Colors• Crimson, burnt sienna, kelly green,

chocolate, toast, peach

• Comparisons• Like a mad dog, golf ball size

• Sensory Details• Wiggle, clammy, murky, boom, clank,

spicy, tangy

• Active Verbs• Looked—glanced, squinted, peeked

Sight Description Specific Nouns Specific Verbs

Touch Texture

Hearing Onomatopoeia

Smell fragrances

Taste

Sensory Details

Describe Meal

Be specificMake comparisons

Add color Sauce

Ragu Chunky Mushroom Chunky vine-ripe tomatoes Crimson explosion

Meatballs Ping pong balls Red golf balls Littered with parmesan

cheese slivers Spaghetti

Mounds of angel hair spaghetti

Twirl on fork Like a ball of yarn Swimming in sauce

Fold your paper into four squares.

Darken in the lines.

To begin…

Write your Topic Sentence above the line in the middle to remind you of what you will be proving.

Spaghetti and meatballs makes a

mouth-watering meal.

Now we have to clarify what we mean by “mouth-

watering meal.”

Answer how? why?

Seasonings

Tomatoes

Meat Choices

Spaghetti and meatballs makes a

mouth-watering meal.

Seasonings• Tickle taste buds

• Oregano• Coarse black pepper• Thyme • Sage

• Garlic• Whole cloves• Crushed• Add extra spiciness

• Vegetables• Diced onions• Green pepper chunks• Sliced mushrooms

-Tomatoes• Base for savory sauce• Home-grown

• Vine-ripened• Better Boy• Rich, full of flavor• Organic

• Ruby red to dark pink• Vibrant color• Full of lycopene

• Chunky • Canned or fresh• Just crush w/hands• Juices run down arm

Meat Choices• Use pork or hamburger

• Lean meat• Low in fat • Crusty brown

• Add Italian sausage• 2 inch chunks• Squeeze out of

casings• Sweet

• Like a gumbo• Assortment of meats

floating in sauce• Filling as Thanksgiving

• Always eat too much

Spaghetti and meatballs is great because it

makes a mouth-watering meal.

Seasonings• Tickle taste buds

• Oregano• Coarse black pepper• Thyme • Sage

• Garlic• Whole cloves• Crushed• Add extra spiciness

• Vegetables• Diced onions• Green pepper chunks• Sliced mushrooms

-Tomatoes• Base for savory sauce• Home-grown

• Vine-ripened• Better Boy• Rich, full of flavor• Organic

• Ruby red to dark pink• Vibrant color• Full of lycopene

• Chunky • Canned or fresh• Just crush w/hands• Juices run down arm

Meat Choices• Use pork or hamburger

• Lean meat• Low in fat • Crusty brown

• Add Italian sausage• 2 inch chunks• Squeeze out of

casings• Sweet

• Like a gumbo• Assortment of meats

floating in sauce• Filling as Thanksgiving

• Always eat too much

Spaghetti and meatballs is great because it

makes a mouth-watering meal.

Connect ideas within paragraphs

Sequence: first, next

Illustration: for example, in other words, to clarify

Addition: Also, in addition, besides