Klingensmith

1. Writing the
Hamburger
Paragraph

2. The Three-Patty
Hamburger Paragraph
Top bun: topic sentence
Patty: information
Cheese: more detail
Patty: information
Cheese: more detail
Patty: information
Cheese: more detail
Bottom burger bun (BBB):
top bun restated differently

3. The Hamburger Paragraph
(a four-patty example)
Writing a hamburger paragraph is pretty easy,
and there are only four things you really need to
remember. First, write a topic sentence that clearly
indicates what the whole paragraph is going to be
about. This is the top bun of the burger. Second,
compose several sentences that give information
about the topic. These are the real meat of the thing
—the most important part of a burger. Third, pair each
patty with another sentence that gives more detail
about the information. This keeps your paragraph from
sounding like a list. Finally, write a sentence in which
you restate the top bun in another way. I call this the
bottom burger bun. As you can see, writing a
hamburger paragraph is very simple to do.
Top Bun
Information
More detail
Information
More detail
Information
More detail
Information
More detail
BBB

4. Bottom Burger Bun Starters
As you can see,
As I've shown you,
It should be clear by now that
Obviously,
Without any doubt,
Clearly,
It should now come as no surprise that

5. Choose one and write it
1. Write a three-patty hamburger paragraph about
three fun things to do during a sleepover.
2. Write a three-patty hamburger paragraph about
three things you like about yourself.
3. Write a three-patty hamburger paragraph about
three qualities that make a good friend.

6. Your assignment
Write a three-patty hamburger paragraph
about three ways that geography has
affected the life in Japan. Address these
topics:
•The ocean
•The ring of fire
•The mountains

7. fin