Paragraphs  

  Comp 48A  

Paragraphs
Paragraphs have one
main idea supported
by many details.

ANIMAL GAMES =
dog, squirrel, chase, tease

Animals like to play games. Has your dog ever teased you with a ball?
Of course, I can't catch my dog. This seems to make him very happy.
He gives me a wag of his tail and then he celebrates with a long nap.

Animals like to play
games.
Is this the main
idea or a detail idea?

1.  main  detail
    main   

Does your dog tease you
with a ball?  
Is this the
main idea or a detail?

2.  main  detail
________

The paragraph has details
about a dog. What does
the dog do to celebrate?

3.  lick  sleep
________

Squirrels live in the trees of my yard. They chase each other around
the trunks of trees. When my dog joins, they climb to a safe limb.
Then they chatter in victory as the dog jumps and barks in frustration.

Animals play in a yard.
Is this the main idea of
the three lines above?

4.  ________

Squirrels chase each other.
Is this the main idea or
just one detail?

5.  ________

When my dog joins...
What do the squirrels
do to play it safe?

6.  ________

How do the squirrels
express victory?

7.  ________

What does the dog do
when he can't reach them?

8.  ________

Can you think of other
animals that like to play?

9.  ________