Most millipedes *resemble* worms. They are long and skinny and have many legs. The name millipede means "thousand- footed," although scientists have never found one with more than 710 feet. Some millipedes are only as long as your thumbnail. Some are almost a foot long. Even small millipedes move very fast. The *swiftest* millipede can move *nearly* two feet in a second. look like are act like eat fastest smallest slowest heaviest almost more than usually over 2 Millipedes are very odd-looking creatures. The prefix "milli" means "thousand." Animals come in all shapes and sizes. Although this could be inserted in the paragraph, the opening sentence should be a more general statement. The opening sentence should introduce the topic of the paragraph. The passage is about one particular animal, the millipede. 1 Creature of Many Legs Nature's Oddities The Fastest Animals The paragraph is about one particular strange-looking creature, not oddities in general. Look for a title that relates specifically to the millipede. Although the passage says millipedes move very quickly, it is not about many different fast-moving animals. It is specifically about millipedes. Even though it is cold, most people find snow very beautiful. Some people *describe* it as a white blanket that covers the earth. In fact, snow is made up of millions of *separate* *particles* called snowflakes. Snow- flakes form when tiny crystals of ice *combine*. Every single snowflake is different from the next, but all snow- flakes have six sides. The next time you pack a snowball, think about all the shapes that go into that one ball. tell about use see think of individual attached small wet very small pieces ice cubes star-shaped clusters large parts join together melt fall apart crack 3 As they fall, snowflakes may form clusters larger than an inch. Melting snow provides water for power plants and reservoirs. Skiers and children with sleds enthusiastically welcome snow. The paragraph is mainly about the nature of snowflakes. A sentence about snow as a source of water would not fit in. The paragraph is about the nature of snowflakes. A sentence about people who love snow because of outdoor sports would not fit in. 1 The Wonder of Snow Fun with Snow Snowballs The paragraph is about the nature of snow, not how to have fun with it. The paragraph is about the nature of snow, not snowballs. Twins that look alike are called *identical* twins. They are either both boys or both girls. Twins that don't look alike are called fraternal twins. They can be boys or girls or one of each. The word "fraternal" comes from the Latin word for brother. The name *suggests* that the twins aren't identical. They have the same *chance* of look- ing alike as any brothers or sisters do. They just happen to be born at the same time. exactly the same unusual joined together lovable hints tells spells translates possibility number idea hope 5 Twins generally have the same birthday and are the same age. Fraternal twins don't usually look alike. Twins are usually good friends to each other. The paragraph says, "They have the same chance of looking alike as any brothers or sisters do." Without being twins, many brothers and sisters look alike. The paragraph is about the differences between fraternal and identical twins. Nothing is said about their relationship to each other. 2 Not all twins look exactly alike. Twins occur about once in every 96 births. Raising twins is not an easy job. The paragraph is specifically about the differences between fraternal and identical twins. There is a better sentence to lead in to this topic. The paragraph is specifically about the differences between fraternal and iden- tical twins. A sentence about raising twins would not introduce that topic. Did you ever wonder why different foods appeal to you at different times? Sometimes you feel like eating a ham- burger, sometimes an apple, sometimes an ice cream sundae. Some people believe that it is your body's way of telling you which vitamins and *nutrients* it needs. But for a *balanced* diet, you can't *rely* completely on foods that suddenly interest you. You might want to eat certain food only because of a picture or television commercial. That's why it's important to eat some foods from each food group each day. nourishing substances delicious foods spaghetti good cooking properly arranged steady interesting fat-free depend call wait eat 3 You might feel like eating junk food just because a friend is eating it. Chicken, milk, oranges and cereal are examples from four food groups. Ice cream is delicious. This sentence would not fit in. The paragraph is about the desire to eat different foods at different times. It is not about basic food groups. The paragraph is about the desire to eat different foods at different times. A sentence giving an opinion of ice cream would not fit in. 1 Food Desires Basic Food Groups How to Keep Healthy The paragraph is about the desire to eat different foods at different times. It is not a discussion of basic food groups. Although the paragraph mentions a balanced diet, it does not discuss ways to keep healthy. In 1947 George Marshall was secretary of state of the United States. He was *concerned* about the many countries in Europe that were very poor after World War II. He came up with a plan for *aiding* these countries. Under the Marshall Plan, the United States helped other countries rebuild their factories and cities. George Marshall's plan was so successful that he was *awarded* the Nobel Peace Prize in 1953. worried thought wondered wrote helping feeding fixing building presented read shown made 3 Even the countries that fought against us in the war were helped. Millions of people died during World War II. Harry S. Truman was president. The paragraph tells how countries were helped to rebuild after the war. This sentence does not fit in anywhere. This is true, but the paragraph is about George Marshall's plan to rebuild Europe after the war. Another sentence relates to the topic much better than this one. 5 During World War II many cities all over Europe were badly damaged. The Marshall Plan succeeded in helping many countries to rebuild. George Marshall worked for the American government. The last sentence tells us that the Marshall Plan was successful. The first sentence names his government job. The Liberty Bell is a famous American *symbol*. It was made in London in 1759 and sent to the colonies. When America became *independent* in 1776, the founding fathers rang the bell to *declare* American freedom. It was rung every July 4 for many years afterwards. The Liberty Bell was also rung on many important occasions. In 1835 it cracked slightly during the Chief Justice's funeral. It was *patched* and used for a few more years, but the crack got bigger. sign idea machine sound free peaceful noisy friendly announce sing yell display mended left alone broken sewn 4 Now the Liberty Bell rings only in our hearts and minds. The Statue of Liberty is another famous American symbol. Many people come to Philadelphia each year to see the Liberty Bell. This sentence has nothing to do with the topic of the paragraph. The topic is the Liberty Bell. This sentence could be either the first or the second sentence. To complete the paragraph, there is a better sentence. 1 The Liberty Bell A Famous American Symbol How the Liberty Bell Got Its Name This paragraph is indeed about a famous American symbol. But a title that ac- tually names the symbol would be better. This is mentioned in the paragraph, but it is only a detail. A good title gives you an idea of what the whole paragraph is about. The British "bobby" is world famous. Everyone has heard this *popular* name for an English policeman. The police force was *established* in London in 1829 by Sir Robert Peel. Its members have been called bobbies ever since, after Sir Robert's nickname. Earlier, as chief secretary, Peel *governed* Ireland. He kept order by establishing an Irish police force. They were called "peelers." common world-wide musical unusual founded heard discovered seen ruled fought owned worked 3 Their nickname, too, was based on Sir Robert's name. It is traditional for bobbies to carry only nightsticks, not guns. American policeman are often called cops, a slang word. The paragraph tells that Sir Robert Peel formed two police forces and both were nicknamed for him. A sentence a- bout bobbies' weapons would not fit in. The passage tells that Sir Robert Peel formed two police forces, both nicknamed for him. A sentence about a name for American policemen would not fit in. 1 Sir Robert Peel's Bobbies and Peelers Police Nicknames The First Police This title is too general. The passage is specifically about Sir Robert Peel, the police forces he formed, and their nicknames based on Peel's own name. This title has nothing to do with the topic of the paragraph. It is about Sir Robert Peel and the English and Irish police forces he formed. Singing "Auld Lang Syne" on New Year's Eve has become a *tradition* in America. It was written in 1788 by Scotland's best-known poet, Robert Burns, and is sung to an old Scottish *melody*. Band- leader Guy Lombardo made the song famous by *performing* it every December 31, just before midnight. "Auld Lang Syne" is about keeping in touch with old friends and old memories. The Scottish words mean "old long since," or days gone by. custom song memory idea tune drum bagpipe voice playing writing reading saying 2 Americans welcome the New Year with a song that comes from Scotland. Robert Burns' poetry is famous all over the world. Bagpipes are a traditional Scottish musical instrument. This could be the opening sentence to a paragraph about Robert Burns' poetry, It is too specific to introduce a paragraph about "Auld Lang Syne." The opening sentence should lead into the topic of the paragraph. It is specifically about "Auld Lang Syne," not Scottish things in general. 1 "Auld Lang Syne" Robert Burns New Year's Eve Traditions Although Robert Burns is mentioned, the paragraph is not about him. It is about a song he wrote, called "Auld Lang Syne." The paragraph is specifically about "Auld Lang Syne." It is not about New Year's Eve traditions in general. Led Zeppelin was one of the most suc- cessful rock bands to come here from Britain in the 1960's. The group played a type of music called "heavy metal." This kind of music features *driving* rhythms with loud guitars. What made Led Zeppelin so unusual was that they also featured soft *ballads* and a great variety of styles. Their biggest hit was "Stairway to Heaven." The lead singer, Robert Plant, has also had a successful *solo* career. beating steadily fast soft and loud uneven songs that tell a story color instruments hair alone acting teaching working 2 For over 20 years America has warmly welcomed British rock groups. Rock music has come in many different styles, from soft to disco to punk. Rock music began its march to popularity in the 1950's. The opening sentence should introduce the topic of the paragraph. It is about one rock band, Led Zeppelin, not different kinds of rock music. The opening sentence should introduce the topic of the paragraph. It is about the success of one rock band, Led Zeppelin, not the history of rock. 1 Led Zeppelin: Heavy Metal Stars Rock Music British Rock Bands The paragraph is about a particular rock band, not rock music. The title should relate to the topic. The paragraph is about one particular rock band, not British rock bands in general. The title should relate to the topic. Louis Armstrong was one of the greatest performers of jazz. Jazz is a very special kind of music that was created by black people in New Orleans. Armstrong was born in New Orleans around 1900. As a teenager he played the cornet in local jazz bands. By 1930 he was famous *internationally* as a trumpet player and singer. Armstrong *frequently* made up his music as he went along and invented many jazz *techniques* that are still used by musicians today. world-wide mainly on stage in America often never always once methods rhythms instruments songs 3 He played with the finest jazz bands before organizing a group of his own. New Orleans is considered the birth- place of jazz. Early jazz grew out of the music played at black funerals and parades. The first sentence already gives this information. This is true, but the paragraph is specifically about Louis Armstrong, a great jazz musician. More information about jazz itself would not fit in. 5 Louis Armstrong had a great influence on the world of music. Louis Armstrong was famous all over the world. Louis Armstrong added his own musical inventions to jazz. The paragraph clearly says this: "he was famous internationally." The last sentence of the paragraph actually states this.