Write a sentence introducing your state's name and a general description of where the name came from. Your sentence should have a clear noun, verb and object such as, "The State of California was named after a fictional island."
Add three to five sentences supporting your introduction. Write about where the name came from, who named the state and when the name was officially chosen. Write about any additional interesting facts you have discovered about the name.
Conclude with a succinct sentence that summarizes the entire paragraph's intent and information. Don't include any additional information -- this sentence should close the subject. As an alternative, combine the conclusion with introductory information about the next paragraph's topic.