Once your children have learned to organize their material, it is time to help them develop their essay-writing skills. After all, essays are one of the primary places students need to apply those outlining talents. Many of us recall our lessons in essay writing from our school days. Summarize what this paper is about in a topic sentence, write three paragraphs supporting the topic sentence, then tack on a conclusion that restates the topic sentence. In reality, following that formula as most of us did in school makes for a very boring essay.
Professional writers realize that they have to grab their audience with the first sentence or two.
A boring topic sentence is likely to discourage readers before they have a chance to find out if the writer has something interesting to convey. Look at a magazine or commentary article in the newspaper. Most of the time it will be the latter. It is more fun to write and definitely more fun to read. Don't expect professional grabber sentences from elementary or even junior high students, but do urge them to stretch beyond the boring.