✍️ How to Write a Strong Paragraph: A Parent’s Guide to Helping with Writing
Support Your Child’s Writing Skills at Any Grade Level
Helping your child become a confident writer doesn’t have to mean editing every sentence or rewriting their paper. Sometimes, the most powerful support comes from understanding how a strong paragraph is built and guiding them through the structure.
Here’s a clear, simple guide you can use to help your child write well-organized, effective paragraphs at home.
🔹 1. Start with a Clear Topic Sentence
The topic sentence is like a headline it tells the reader what the paragraph is about.
🧠 Tip for Parents: Ask your child, “What is this paragraph trying to say?” If they can say it in one sentence, that’s probably their topic sentence!
Example:
Dogs make great pets because they are loyal and easy to train.
🔹 2. Add 2–4 Supporting Sentences
Now it’s time to back up that topic sentence with details, facts, or examples.
🧠 Tip for Parents: Help your child brainstorm a few “why” or “how” sentences to explain or support their topic.
Example:
They can be trained to follow commands and even perform tricks. Many families enjoy the companionship and protection a dog offers.
🔹 3. Include Transitions or Linking Words
Good paragraphs flow smoothly. Transition words help ideas connect clearly.
📘 Helpful words:
First, next, also, because, for example, however, in addition, finally
🧠 Tip for Parents: Read the paragraph aloud. If it sounds choppy, suggest adding or changing a linking word to improve the flow.
🔹 4. End with a Strong Closing Sentence
The closing sentence wraps up the paragraph and connects back to the topic.
Example:
With their loyalty and intelligence, dogs truly are one of the best choices for a family pet.
✅ Bonus: Use the "Hamburger" Model
This visual method helps younger writers:
Top Bun = Topic Sentence
Meat & Fillings = Supporting Sentences
Bottom Bun = Closing Sentence
🧠 Tip for Parents: Draw a hamburger together and fill it in with ideas before writing!
Final Thoughts for Parents
You don’t need to be an English teacher to help your child write better. Just remind them of this simple formula:
Topic → Support → Transitions → Closing
And most importantly, be a cheerleader! Celebrate clear ideas, effort, and improvements not just perfect grammar.
