How to Write a Paragraph With T.E.D.L.
A good paragraph is one complete idea. Start with a topic sentence, add an example, provide more detail, and finish with a sentence that links back to your topic. That's T.E.D.L.
Free, 8 short lessons, by Ted Conway, a Texas-certified ELA and ESL teacher in Houston. You'll write your own paragraph as you go.
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Watch the whole method in 10 minutes
Each lesson below uses a short piece of this video. Watch it all now, or take it one lesson at a time.
The lessons
Each lesson takes a few minutes: learn one part, see it in use, practice, then add it to your own paragraph.
- 1What is a paragraph?One idea per paragraph, and how to tell when a sentence drifts.
- 2Meet T.E.D.L.The four parts, and all the places you can use them.
- 3How to write a topic sentenceTell the reader what you are writing about. Clear comes first.
- 4How to write an example sentenceMake your topic clearer, and bring in a quote when you need one.
- 5How to add detailBuild on your example until the reader has very few questions left.
- 6How to end a paragraphThe last sentence links back to your topic. Don't get lost in the sauce.
- 7Answer a writing promptBrainstorm, pick an idea, and write a full paragraph start to finish.
- 8Common paragraph mistakesThe problems I see most, and how to fix each one.
Who this course is for
Anyone who freezes at a blank page, writes paragraphs that wander off topic, or is still learning English.
Teens
- Middle and high school students writing for class
- Multilingual students building academic English
- Students with ADHD who do better with writing broken into small steps
- Short written answers on the state test
Adults
- English learners writing for work or school
- Emails and letters that need to be clear the first time
- Written responses on English tests
- Anyone who wants a simple structure to fall back on
When you finish, you can get feedback on your paragraph from the TEDL Paragraph Writing Help Tool. It points out what to fix. It won't write it for you.
Is this course free?
Yes. No account and no email needed. Your progress and your paragraph save on your own device.
What does T.E.D.L. stand for?
Topic sentence, Example, Detail, and Last and linking sentence. Each part builds on the one before it.
How is T.E.D.L. different from ACES or PEEL?
T.E.D.L. is close to ACES, the framework many Texas students learn for short written answers. I adjusted the steps because my students kept getting stuck on the frameworks they already knew. The goal is the same: use it until you don't need it anymore.
Can T.E.D.L. help with test answers?
Yes. On a reading test, your example can be a quote from the passage and your detail can explain what the quote shows. Lessons 4 and 5 cover how.
How long is a paragraph?
Usually three to five sentences. Length matters less than staying on one complete idea.
Want a teacher to read your writing?
Take the free 12-minute English test. It ends with a short paragraph, and I read every one and follow up with what I noticed.