This is an example of a Step - Up to Writing paragraph. Green is for the topic and concluding sentences. Yellow is for the main idea sentences. Transitions are underlined at the beginning of each main idea sentence. Red is for details.

There are three forms of matter of which everything is made. One form of matter is solid. Solids have a set shape that takes up a set amount of space. The particles, or atoms, that make up solids, are very close together and move back and forth in place. Another form of matter is liquid. Liquids take the shape of their containers, and take up the same amount of space no matter what shape the container is. In liquids, the atoms are not as close together, so they can slide past each other. Last, but not least is a form of matter called gas. Gas has no set shape, and can take up any amount of space. The atoms in gas are farther away from each other, so they have room to move about freely. Matter really does matter because matter is everywhere!

This paragraph follows our Step - up to Writing Program's color - coding. Green for topic and closing sentences, yellow for main ideas that relate to the topic (transition words underlined), and red for details (explanations, examples). This paragraph gives you an idea of the standard expected for paragraph - writing for third grade.