Write the thesis statement at the top of the paper or dry-erase board. The thesis of the paragraph will be the introduction to the paragraph. Write one or two sentences introducing the subject of the paragraph and give a brief list of the main ideas.
Below your thesis statement, you will write the three main ideas that your paragraph will cover. Start at the far left with topic idea No. 1, then No. 2 and, finally, No. 3.
Write the number one under the first topic sentence and write out the detail that supports this topic. Under number one, write number two and write out another detail that supports this topic sentence. Under two, write the number three and write out a supporting detail. Repeat for supporting details of topics two and three.
For example
Topic #1 Topic #2 Topic #3
1. supporting detail 1. supporting detail 1. supporting detail
2. supporting detail 2. supporting detail 2. supporting detail
3. supporting detail 3. supporting detail 3. supporting detail
Write the conclusion centered under the supporting details of the topic sentences.
Draw lines under each step of your paragraph map. Next you will draw a vertical lines connecting the thesis statement to each topic sentence.
Draw a vertical line above your conclusion. Draw a line horizontally up to the detail No.3 under your first topic sentence. Repeat this process with topic No. 2 and topic No. 3.