Transcript Document 7154500

Paragraph Writing
Paragraphs
Form
Most paragraphs contain between five to
ten sentences. The first line of a paragraph is
usually indented (begin a few spaces to the
right of the margin) to show that there is a
new paragraph.
indent
________________________ . ____________________.
_____________________. _________________________.
____________________________. ____________________.
______________________. ______________________________.
Key Features
Every paragraphs should have the following
features…

A Topic Sentence

Supporting Sentences

A Concluding Sentence

Unity
Topic Sentences
Definition
Every paragraph should have a topic
sentence. This is the most important sentence
because it expresses the main idea of the
paragraph.
Example 1
Topic Sentence: states
the main idea of the
paragraph.
Topic Sentence
The most important problem in our city is its inadequate public
transportation system.
Thousands of residents rely on the city’s buses
and streetcars to travel throughout this large city, but Metro Transportation
System’s daily schedules are totally unreliable. A bus or streetcar that should
arrive at 7:45 may not arrive until 8:00 or later. Moreover, it is not unusual
for a bus driver to pass up groups of people waiting for the bus, because he
wants to make up for lost time. Unfortunately, people often end up going to
work late or missing important appointments. In order for people to get to
their destinations on time, people must allow for waiting time at the bus and
streetcar stops.
Concluding Sentence
Supporting Sentences
Example 2
Topic Sentence
Topic Sentence: states
the main idea of the
paragraph.
Motivation
An important factor in learning a foreign language has to do with the
concept of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. When we do something
for the “fun of it” or because we enjoy it, that is called intrinsic
motivation. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is when we do
something for the purpose of receiving some kind of external reward
such as money, time off from work, etc. Many education experts believe
that intrinsic motivation is more powerful when it comes to helping
students keep what they’ve learned. The question and challenge for
teachers today is, “How can we help our students become intrinsically
motivated in what we are teaching?”
Example 3
Topic Sentence
One of the first helpful people I met was John. I first met John standing in a
line at the bookstore. I was having a difficult time finding the books for the
English classes I was taking my first semester here. He not only helped me
find my books, but he also gave me some good advice on where to get
tutorial help on campus and where I could find some good restaurants.
We’ve become better friends since then and he has been so helpful in
answering any questions I have about going to school in the U.S. and about
American culture. If I hadn’t met John that day, I might still be looking for the
right books for my classes!
Concluding Sentence
Supporting Sentences
Topic Sentence Essentials
Complete Sentence
There are several things you need to
remember when writing topic sentences. The
first is that topic sentences are always
complete sentences.
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
It is not a complete
sentence; It is a title
Example 1
Strategies of learning English.
There are many strategies that you can use to help you
learn a new language.
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Example 2
The sport of cross-country running.
This is not a complete
sentence.
The sport of cross-country running has allowed me
to get in better shape and meet some interesting
people.
Why do I want to be a teacher?
Topic
sentence
This is a question, not a
statement.
Being a teacher is a great profession because it
allows me to work with students and be creative.
Topic
sentence
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Example 3
I want to talk about the benefits of learning a
foreign language.
Learning a foreign language has several
benefits.
This is an announcement
Topic
sentence
Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Example 4
I learned to play many musical
instruments when I was young.
Playing many musical instruments has helped
me grow both personally and professionally.
It only expresses a
specific fact
Topic
sentence
Topic Sentence Essentials
Two Parts
A topic sentence contains the topic of the
paragraph and a controlling idea. The
controlling idea limits the topic to something
very specific. It tells the reader what the
paragraph will specifically discuss.
Example 1
Topic and Controlling Idea
Topic: names the main
idea or general subject
of the paragraph
Topic Sentence
One of the most serious problems in today’s public
schools is overcrowded classrooms.
Controlling Idea: makes a specific
comment about the subject. Tells
the reader what the paragraph will
say about the main topic.
Example 2
Topic and Controlling Idea
Topic: names the main
idea or general subject
of the paragraph
Topic Sentence
One of the most serious problems in today’s public
schools is the low percentage of trained teachers.
Controlling Idea: makes a specific
comment about the subject. Tells
the reader what the paragraph will
say about the main topic.
Example 3
This sentence does not contain a controlling
idea. This is not a good topic sentence,
because it does not limit the topic to make it
more specific.
Companies need to develop more efficient forms of
energy.
Topic Sentence Companies should develop more efficient forms of
energy such as solar heating panels.
Controlling Idea: limits the ideas
in the paragraph and makes the
sentence more specific.
Topic: names the main
idea
Example 4
Topic Sentence: Egyptian films are getting more expensive to
produce.
Topic Sentence: The Quality of Egyptian films has decreased over
the last 20 years.
Topic Sentence: Egyptian films can be classified into comedies,
action films and romances.