1. Connection Between
Paragraphs and Essays
A paragraph is like a simple
log cabin.
An essay is like a huge,
elaborate, detailed mansion.

2. Paragraph
A paragraph is a group of sentences that
deal with one idea or topic. A paragraph begins
with a topic sentence and includes several
supporting sentences in the middle or body of
the paragraph and ends with a concluding
sentence. Length=7-11 sentences.
It is like a one room rustic cabin.

3. Drafting a Paragraph
American Idol Auditions at Hollywood Studios
To audition for the American Idol Experience at Disney
Hollywood studios, there are four steps that you will have to
go through in order to become a contestant on the show. In
the first round of the American Idol, you will go before a
Disney cast director and sing a cappella. If they like what they
have heard, you will move on to round two. In round two, you
will select a song and sing it to a producer. If you impress the
producer, you move on to the next step, which is to sing to a
live audience. The live audiences of the hourly shows each
choose a winner who will get to sing in the final show of the
day. The winner of the final show gets a dream ticket, which
reserves the winner a chance to sing at a regional audition for
the real American Idol show.
(Length = 7 sentences)

4. Essay
An essaybegins with an introductory
paragraph and ends with a concluding paragraph.
Between the opening and concluding paragraphs
are the body paragraphs.
Each body paragraph supports the topic with
specific main sentences and supporting sentences.
It is like an elaborate log home
with many rooms and decorative
details.

5. Organizing Your Ideas
Outlining
• An outline can help you organize your ideas into
an essay.
• In an outline, you do not need to use complete
sentences, just jot down one or two words to
help you organize your ideas.
• Each body paragraph begins with a main idea that
is related to the topic. Underneath the main idea
are two or three supporting details that directly
relate to the main idea of that paragraph. Each of
the body paragraphs works together to support
the topic of the essay.

6. Blank Outline for an Essay
I. Topic: Introductory paragraph
II. Body paragraph one (step one of the process)
A.
B.
C.
III. Body paragraph two (step two of the process)
A.
B.
C.
IV. Body paragraph three(step three of the process)
A.
B.
C.
V. Conclusion paragraph
Supporting Details
Supporting Details
Supporting Details

7. Completed Outline for an Essay
American Idol audition outline for a process essay
I. Topic: American Idol auditions at Hollywood Studios
II. Step 1 – Initial audition
A. Sing to Disney cast member
B. If you are good you continue on
III. Step 2 – Second audition
A. Select a song form the given list
B. Sing to a producer
C. If selected, assigned to a preliminary show
IV. Step 3 - Sing at a preliminary show
A. Audience votes for their favorite performer at the end of the show
B. Winners of preliminary shows perform at the final show of the day
V. Step 4 Perform at the final show
A. Compete against the winners of other preliminary shows
B. The winner gets a dream ticket
VI. Conclusion - An opportunity to audition for the real show
Each Roman numeral is a new paragraph in the essay.

8. Introduction
The first paragraph of an essay is called the introduction. The
first sentence of an introduction grabs the reader’s attention
and introduces the topic of the essay. You can grab the
reader’s attention by sharing a comparison, telling a related
story, providing a definition, question or opinion statement.
Never begin an introduction with a statement
that begins with, “In this essay I am going to write about….”
The main idea and purpose of the essay should be clear to the
reader from the information presented in the introductory
paragraph. Length is between 3-5 sentences.

9. Example Introduction
Many young children grow up watching
American Idol and dream of singing on the big
stage. They may not realize how much effort goes
into actually making it onto the show. When you
audition for American Idol at Disney World, there
are four steps that you have to go through in order
to become a contestant. For some, their dreams will
come true, while for others their dreams shatter
way before they get the dream ticket to make it to
the final rounds of auditioning.

10. Body Paragraphs
An essay will have anywhere between one-three (1-3) body
paragraphs. Occasionally an essay may have additional body
paragraphs.
Each body paragraph focuses on one main supporting detail related
to your topic.
When you are ready to discuss a new point related to your topic, you
will move to a new body paragraph.
The purposeof the body paragraph is to explain with details,
provide related evidence, discuss some point, or illustrate your
thoughts, findings or analysis on your topic. All of your body
paragraphs work with each other to fully support the topic of your
essay.

11. Example Body Paragraph One
The initial audition is an intimidating first step
in the process of trying to get a spot on the Idol
stage. Before you even go through the auditioning
process you have to prove that you are 14 years old.
Without that proof, they will not allow you to go
any further in the competition. After you pass the
age screening, you can sign up online or sign up
once you get to the audition. At the initial audition,
you will sing your song in front of a Disney cast
director who will decide if they like what they hear
enough to move you on to the next round where
you will meet and sing for a producer.

12. Example Body Paragraph Two
If you are lucky enough to make it through to round
two, you will be paired with a producer. Then, you will be
asked to select a song from a list that includes various types of
music. Choosing a song can be very intense since you will
need to be able to sing it well on the spot. Once the song is
chosen, you will sing along with a pre-recorded track. If you
impress the producer, you will move on to the next step,
which is the preliminary show. This show takes place in a
theater that seats 1,000 people and a stage that looks like the
American Idol stage that everyone sees on TV. The preliminary
shows are shot each day in front of a live audience.
Contestants sing their songs in front of the audience and the
audience votes on their favorite singers. Those votes
determine who gets to move on to the final show.

13. Example Body Paragraph Three
The last day of the show features all of the
winners of the preliminary show. They perform a
song that they have chosen and the audience
once again votes for their favorite singer;
however, only this time there is only one winner
chosen for that day and whoever wins gets a
dream ticket. The dream ticket really is a dream
because it allows the contestant to pass the line
at one of the regional auditions for the
television show.

14. Conclusion
The concluding paragraph brings an essay to a
logical end. The reader is left with a deeper
understanding of your topic. The conclusion will
often summarize the main points that were
discussed, without introducing any new ideas.
Occasionally, a conclusion will offer an
additional point for the reader to ponder, but
usually the focus is on restating the main ideas.

15. Example Conclusion
The process of becoming a contestant for
American Idol seems simple enough, but you
have to keep in mind that just because you
made it through one round you still have three
others to go. While this may seem
overwhelming, it is an exciting and character
building process. It never hurts to pursue your
dreams.

16. Put it all together!
• Include the following:
– APA title page
– Times New Roman font
– 12 point font
– Double line spacing

17. Title Page