Worksheet: Organizing Ideas into Paragraphs

Objective:

Write a short paragraph that states one main idea and includes supporting details.

Instructions:

1. Choose a Main Idea: Reflect on the short story "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty." Think about what you believe is the main theme or message of the story.

2. Support Your Idea: List 2-3 details from the story that support your main idea. These can be specific events, character actions, or quotes.

3. Write Your Paragraph: Using the main idea and supporting details, write a coherent paragraph.

Example Paragraph:

Main Idea: Walter Mitty’s daydreams reveal his desire for adventure and escape from his mundane life.

Supporting Details:

• In his daydreams, Walter imagines himself as a brave pilot facing a storm.
• He also sees himself as a skilled surgeon, commanding respect and authority.
• These fantasies highlight his dissatisfaction with being seen as merely a forgetful husband.

Written Paragraph: Walter Mitty’s daydreams reveal his desire for adventure and escape from his mundane life. In his daydreams, he imagines himself as a brave pilot facing a storm, showing his longing for excitement. He also sees himself as a skilled surgeon, commanding respect and authority, which contrasts with his everyday reality. These fantasies highlight his dissatisfaction with being seen as merely a forgetful husband.

Your Turn:

Main Idea:

Supporting Details:

Your Paragraph:

Tips for Writing:

• Start with your main idea sentence.
• Follow up with your supporting details.
• Make sure each detail relates back to your main idea.
• Revise for clarity and coherence.