What is a paragraph?

The paragraph is a group of sentences that are focusing one

particular main idea. What matters most in a strong paragraph is
not length, but the unity and coherence of ideas from sentence to
sentence. What makes a group of sentences into a paragraph is
the fact that they are unified around one central, controlling idea.
A strong paragraph guides the reader, first introducing us to the
controlling idea, then developing and analyzing the support for
this idea, and then offering a conclusion about the ideas larger
significance.
Topic sentence:
Every paragraph needs to make one main point. This point is
located in the topic sentence. Usually, but not always, the topic
sentence is the first sentence of the paragraph.A topic sentence
is a general statement that announces what the paragraph is
about. By starting a paragraph with a topic sentence, your
audience can immediately identify your topic. This construction
also helps the writer stay focused on the subject.
Example:
Soccer is the most popular sport in the world.
Learning English is an essential part of everyones education.
The most important thing to remember is that in a topic sentence
you should always try to make a statement about the topic which
limits it to a certain extent.
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Topic sentence: TOPIC + LIMITING STATEMENT

Computers have made great changes in our life.
Topic

Limiting statement

Libraries have three basic kinds of materials.

Topic Limiting statement

How to write a strong topic sentence

What is a good topic sentence? It introduces a proposition that
must be argued, explained, or analyzed. When we read a topic
sentence we are introduced to the main idea of a paragraph.
However, the topic sentence is more likely to occur in paragraphs
that argue, explain, or analyze a point. Each paragraph, no matter
how long, should only have one main point contained in the topic
sentence. However, this main point may contain controlling ideas
that explain the main topic in further detail. When you start to
discuss a new topic, it is time to change the paragraph.
A topic sentence should not be:
1. Too general: If a topic sentence is too general, it will be too
difficult to support it. For example, Soccer is a sport is too
general and, as a result, difficult to support. Soccer as a sport has
so many dimensions and it is not possible to talk about them in a
single paragraph.

2. Too specific: On the other hand, if a topic sentence is too

specific and detailed, there is nothing to talk about. For example,
They play soccer on a field is too detailed and impossible to
support.

Every paragraph should be:

Unified: The sentences should all refer to the main idea.
Coherent: The sentences should be arranged in a logical manner
and should follow a definite plan for development.
Well-Developed: Every idea discussed in the paragraph should
be adequately explained and supported through evidence and
details that work together to explain the paragraphs controlling
idea.
Exercise:
Choose

the

best

topic

sentence

for

each

group

of

supporting sentences. Write it on the line provided.

Example: ___________b_____________. I usually go skiing every
weekend in the winter even though it is expensive. I love the
feeling of flying down a mountain. The views are beautiful from
the top of a mountain and along the trails. Even the danger of
falling and getting hurt cant keep me away from the slopes on a
winter day.
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a) Skiing is expensive.
b) Skiing is my favorite sport.
c) Skiing is dangerous.
1.)

_________________________________________________.

North

Americans sendcards for many occasions. They send cards to

family and friends on birthdays andholidays. They also send
thank-you

cards,

get

well

cards,

graduation

cards,

andcongratulation cards. It is very common to buy cards in stores

and send them throughthe mail, but turning on the computer and
sending cards over the Internet is alsopopular.
a) Sending cards is very popular in North America.
b) Birthday cards are the most popular kind of card.
c) It is important to send thank-you cards.
2.) _____________________________________________ . I enjoy summer
sports like water skiing and baseball. The weather is usually
sunny and hot, so I can go to the beach almost every day.
Gardening is my hobby and I spend many summer days working
in my garden. Unfortunately, the days pass too quickly in
summer.
a) I like to garden in summer.
b) Summer is my favorite season.
c) Summer is too short.

3.) ________________________________________ . First of all, we need

money to repair old roads and build new roads. We also need
more to pay teachers salaries and to pay for services such as
trash collection. Finally, more tax money is needed to give
financial help to the poor citizens of the city. It is clear that the
city will have serious problems if taxes are not raised soon.
a) We should raise city taxes.
b) City taxes are too high.
c) City taxes pay for new roads.
4.) _________________________________________ . For example, a
person can have breakfast in New York, board an airplane, and
have dinner in Paris. A businesswoman in London can instantly
place an order with a factory in Hong Kong by sending a fax.
Furthermore, a schoolboy in Tokyo can turn on a TV and watch a
baseball game being played in Los Angeles.
a) Airplanes have changed our lives.
b) Advances in technology have made the world seem smaller.
c) The fax machine was an important invention.
5.) ___________________________________________ . One thing you
must consider is the quality of the universitys educational
program. You also need to think about the schools size and
location. Finally, you must be sure to consider the universitys
tuition to make sure you can afford to go to school there.
a) It is expensive to attend a university in the United States.
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b) There are several factors to consider when you choose a

university to attend.
c) You should consider getting a good education.

Write a topic sentence for each paragraph. Make sure your

topic sentence expresses the main idea of the paragraph.
Example: Miami is the perfect place to take a vacation. It is
always sunny and warm. The beaches are gorgeous, with soft
white sand and beautiful water. There are many fine restaurants
in the Miami area, and most of the hotels offer terrific
entertainment nightly. Its no wonder that Miami is my first choice
for a vacation destination.
1.) ___________________________________________________ . He has
collected stamps and coins ever since he was a child. He is very
proud of his valuable collections. Paul also enjoys painting and
drawing. Recently he has become interested in gardening. Out of
all his hobbies, Pauls favorite one is reading. He usually reads at
least one book every week. Paul keeps busy with all of his
hobbies.
2.) _________________________________________________ . I cant wait
to come home from school and eat the delicious meals she has
prepared. She is famous for her desserts like peach pie and
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chocolate souffl. She is always experimenting with new recipes

and trying different ingredients. No one in the world can cook the
way my mother does.
3.) _________________________________________________ . It never
starts in cold weather. The horn and the left turn signal dont work
properly. Worst of all, the radio only gets one station and the CD
player is completely broken. I wish I could get a new car.
4.) __________________________________________________ . First and
most importantly, the work is very interesting. I learn new things
every day and I get to travel a lot. In addition, my boss is very
nice. She is always willing to help me when I have a problem. I
have also made many new friends at my job. Last, but not least,
the salary is fantastic.
5.) ____________________________________________________ . To start
things off, my plane was six hours late. When I finally got to my
hotel, I was very disappointed. It was small and dirty. On the third
day, my wallet was stolen, and I lost all my credit cards. It rained
very day except one, and on that day I got a terrible sunburn. All
in all, it wasnt a vacation to remember.

Supporting sentences
The supporting sentences of a paragraph (the second sentence
onwards) should explain or support the idea expressed in the
topic sentence (first sentence).
How to Write Supporting Sentences
Supporting sentences are also called detail sentences and they
constitute the body of the paragraph. They, naturally, provide
support to the statement or idea expressed in the introductory
sentence. They must contain details which help to elaborate on
the thought comprised in the topic sentence. They can compare
and

contrast

facts,

introduce

quotations,

and

paraphrase

secondary sources. They should explore only limited amounts of

material and lead toward the concluding or transition sentence.
The following are different ways to support a topic sentence.
Example: something that is representative by having typical
features of the thing it represents.
Topic Sentence: There are many ways to improve your
vocabulary in a second language.
Supported by example: For example, reading books every day
and writing the new words in a vocabulary notebook are practical
ways to learn more words.

Details: an individual separable part of something, especially one

of several items of information
Topic Sentence: My city is one of the most beautiful cities in the
world.
Supported by details: In fact, it is located between a beautiful
forest and the ocean.
Facts: something known to be true; in other words, something
that can be shown to be true, to exist, or to have happened.
Topic Sentence:There are several ways to maintain a healthy
body.
Supported by facts: Exercising is one of the best ways to be
healthy and in shape.
Statistics:a collection of numerical data
Topic Sentence:Smoking may cause lung cancer.
Supported by statistics: It was reported that 80% of people
who had lung cancer last year were smokers.
Narration: the act of telling a story or giving an account of
something
Topic Sentence:My trip to the north was the most amazing
vacation Ive ever had.

Supported by narration:We visited a lot of cities and made new

friends.
Reasoning: the use of logical thinking in order to find results or
draw conclusions
Topic Sentence:Learning English is essential for academic
success.
Supported by reasoning: This is because most books and
journals in most fields of science are written and published in
English.

Exercises:
Identify the type of support in the following paragraphs:
1.Money causes teenagers to feel stress. It makes them feel bad
about themselves and envy other people. My friend, for instance,
lives with her family and has to share a room with her sister, who
is very cute and intelligent. This girl wishes she could have her
own room and have a lot of stuff, but she cant have these things
because her family doesnt have much money. Her familys
income is pretty low because her father is old and doesnt go to
work. Her sister is the only one who works. Because her family
cant buy her the things she wants, she feels a lot of stress and
gets angry sometimes. Once, she wanted a beautiful dress to
wear to a party. She asked her sister for some money to buy the
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dress. She was disappointed because her sister didnt have

money to give her. She sat in silence for a little while and then
started yelling out loud. She said her friends got anything they
wanted but she didnt. Then she felt sorry for herself and asked
why she was born into a poor family. Not having money has
caused this girl to think negatively about herself and her family. It
has caused a lot of stress in her life.
2. Most students like the freedom they have in college. Usually
college students live on their own, in the dormitory or in an
apartment. This means they are free to come and go as they like.
Their parents cant tell them when to get up, when to go to
school, and when to come home. It also means that they are free
to wear what they want. There are no parents to comment about
their hair styles or their dirty jeans. Finally, they are free to listen
to their favorite music without interference from parents.

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Concluding Sentence
The concluding sentence is the sentence that comes at the end of
the paragraph. It summarizes the information of the paragraph or
gives a parting thought. Sometimes, it relates back to the topic
sentence and reflects on the details in the paragraph. It does NOT
provide any new information. In fact, a good concluding sentence
does NOT end with This is why <repeat topic sentence>
Examples: Topic sentences are in blue, while concluding
sentences are in red.
Ralph is a boy who cannot seem to stay out of trouble.Yesterday,
he was caught with his hand in the fish tank. He had one fish
gripped in his hand as the teacher came into the room. Today,
Ralph tied Jennas pigtails to her chair. Ralph insists that he will
have some new tricks up his sleeve for tomorrow. Ralphs parents
must have their hands full trying to keep him under control.
Our local shopping mall provides an enjoyable atmosphere during
the Christmas season. One thing I always look forward to are the
decorations in our mall; many colored lights, angels, and
wreathes adorn hallways and shop windows. Also, I look forward
to the different musical groups who perform at the center stage.
Another enjoyable aspect of my shopping experience is rewarding
myself with a gourmet cup of hot cocoa from Starbucks. With
bright cheerful decorations to watch, musical groups who
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entertain, and a relaxing cup of cocoa, Christmas shopping at the

mall is an activity I could enjoy year round.

Our cafeteria food is among the worst in the state.For starters,

the hamburgers are frequently undercooked or raw. The french
fries taste of rancid oil which must have been reused several
times over. Even the lettuce in the salads is moldy and rotten.
Once you have tried the food in our school cafeteria, you will
never leave home without your lunch.

Exercises:
I.Write a paragraph about the reasons why you chose to
live in this city or town. Write a topic sentence. Then
brainstorm as many details as you can that support your
topic sentence. Choose three or four details and write a
paragraph. Include a concluding sentence.

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II. Write a concluding sentence for each paragraph.

1) There are many reasons why I like wearing a uniform to school.
First of all, it saves time. I dont have to spend time picking out
my clothes every morning. Wearing a uniform also saves money.
Its cheaper to purchase a new uniform than to go out and buy
lots of school clothes. In addition, I dont have the pressure of
keeping up with the latest styles. Most importantly, wearing a
school uniform gives me a sense that I belong. I really think that it
adds

to

the

feeling

of

school

spirit

and

community.

______________________________________________________ .
2) There are many reasons why I am against wearing a school
uniform. For one thing, I dont like they style of the uniform. The
navy blazer and plaid skirt are too conservative for me. Secondly,
the uniform isnt comfortable. I prefer to wear baggy pants and a
sweater instead of a skirt and a jacket. Finally, I want the freedom
to express my individuality through my style of dressing.
_________________________________________________________________ .

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3) Credit cards have a lot of advantages. First of all, credit cards

are convenient because you dont have to carry a lot of cash
around. You can buy the products and services you need even if
you do not have cash in your pocket. In addition, credit cards are
very helpful in emergencies. Finally, you can become a better
money manager as you learn to use credit cards responsibly.
_________________________________________________________________ .
4) Visitors can enjoy a wide variety of activities in Canadas
Atlantic provinces. In New Brunswick, they can go whale-watching
on the Bay of Fundy. In Nova Scotia, they can take a scenic drive
along the Cabot Trail and visit important historic sites like Port
Royal and the Fortress of Louisbourg. On Prince Edward Island,
they can see the home of Lucy Maud Montgomery (author of
Anne of Green Gables) in Cavendish. And finally, in Newfoundland
they can visit St. Johns, one of Canadas oldest cities, or hike
through

GrosMorne

National

Park._____________________________________________________________
____ .
5) Ontario is a great place to go fishing. First of all, Ontario has a
vast number of freshwater lake, rivers and streams In addition,
there are many tasty fish species like whitefish, trout, perch and
smallmouth bass. Finally, anglers can enjoy beautiful scenery and
tranquil settings.__________________________________ .

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III. Put an X before the concluding sentence that best

fits the type of paragraph.
1) There's a beach near San Diego that is very peaceful to walk
on. It's long and flat, with fine sand shifting gently under your
feet. The waves surge in, slowly and calmly, never overpowering
you as you walk. The only sounds you hear are cries of gulls and a
gentle wash of water.
__________ Geological processes have created this useful division
between land and sea.
__________ This beach allows you to walk and meditate in peace.
2) My cat wasn't just my best friend, but she thought she was my
protector. I once lounged under a tree, reading a book, while my
cat sat across the lawn. When a small dog happened by, staring
me in the face, my cat thought I was in danger. She raced across
the lawn, all puffed up, meowing furiously to make the dog leave.
__________ My cat watched over me in the same way that I took
care of her.
__________ A feline is a marvel of grace and ferocity in the same
lovely package.
3) Modern advances make life easier, but may also have
unexpected drawbacks. Just taking escalators rather than stairs
reduces the number of calories burned each day. By letting
machines routinely do their work, people become less physically

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fit. And if supermarkets were to fail, people could starve without

having their own gardens to provide food.
__________ Thats when they decided they had to learn to live
without so many gadgets.
__________ It may be time to question how convenient these
advances really are.

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