irresponsible

When we see
words, we naturally
want to do dishonest
something with
them...
unreliable
selfish

bad qualities
greedy

lazy
Each cluster of words below consists of one general idea and three specific ideas.
The general idea includes all the specific ideas.
Locate the general idea in each group.

soup water liquid coffee

cotton fabric silk polyester

speaking listening writing communication

 PARTS OF A PARAGRAPH

Topic Sentence = Topic + Controlling Idea

General

Supporting Details
Examples
Facts
Statistics...
Specific

Concluding Sentence
The TOPIC SENTENCE is the most important and most general sentence in a paragraph.

Topic + Controlling Idea

In 2005, Hurricane Katrina + brought much damage to New Orleans.

Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Harvey + were two very different storms.
 _________________
Heading _________________
_________________

Center the title Title

Topic Sentence__________________________________________ Introduction

_______________________________________________________________
Double Space
_______________________________________________________________

____Supporting Sentences_______________________________________

_______________________________________________________________ Body

1-inch ________________________________________________________________
Leave 1-inch margins
________________________________________________________________
on all sides
_______________________________________________________________

Concluding Sentence____________________________________________
Conclusion
_______________________________________________________________
 General Specific dishonesty
greed
bad qualities
selfishness

Among teenage girls, gossip contributes to bonding.

Political gossip often is leaked to the media as a way of learning how the
public is likely to react to a particular policy. heavy traffic
excuses for being late
Gossip takes many forms and serves various purposes. bus not on time
alarm didn’t go off
In the business world, gossip can provide insights unavailable through
official facts and figures.

In later adulthood, we begin to come to terms with our own mortality.

Stages of human development

Adolescence is typically a time of identity crisis.

According to psychologists, we pass through various stages of human development

throughout our lives.
 Skipping Breakfast

_____________________________________________________________. Some people say that they skip

breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight. Another reason people give is that they simply don’t like

breakfast. Others say that the reason is cultural. People in their home culture usually consume only two meals a day, and

breakfast isn’t traditionally one of them. The most common reason people give is lack of time. They like to stay in bed

until the last minute, and then they have to rush to get to work or to school on time. To sum up, there are a variety of

explanations for not eating breakfast.

Source: Longman Academic Writing Series 3: Paragraphs to Essays, 4th ed. (pg. 58)
 Skipping Breakfast

_____________________________________________________________. Some people say that they skip

breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight. Another reason people give is that they simply don’t like

breakfast. Others say that the reason is cultural. People in their home culture usually consume only two meals a day, and

breakfast isn’t traditionally one of them. The most common reason people give is lack of time. They like to stay in bed

until the last minute, and then they have to rush to get to work or to school on time. To sum up, there are a variety of

explanations for not eating breakfast.

Source: Longman Academic Writing Series 3: Paragraphs to Essays, 4th ed. (pg. 58)
Topic Sentence The reasons for skipping breakfast are many.

A. Helps to lose weight

Main Points B. Don’t like it

C. Cultural justification
Two meals a day (but not breakfast)
Minor Points
D. Lack of time
Stay in bed as long as possible
Rush to work or school

Concluding Sentence To sum up, there are a variety of explanations for not eating breakfast.
 ESSAY

I. Introduction
Hook
Background Information
Thesis Statement

II. Body
PARAGRAPH A. Topic Sentence
1. Supporting Sentences
2. Supporting Sentences
Topic Sentence 3. Supporting Sentences

A. Supporting Sentences B. Topic Sentence

B. Supporting Sentences 1. Supporting Sentences
C. Supporting Sentences 2. Supporting Sentences
3. Supporting Sentences
Concluding Sentence
C. Topic Sentence
1. Supporting Sentences
2. Supporting Sentences
3. Supporting Sentences

III. Conclusion
The Writing Process Step One: Prewriting

Generating ideas, planning, and organizing your ideas

Step Two: Writing

Using your ideas to write a first draft

Step Three: Revising and Editing

Improving what you have written

Step Four: Writing Next/Final Draft

 Talking to
Making
Someone
Observations
(Expert)

Listing Doing
Research

Prewriting

Clustering Cubing

Freewriting
Questioning
Sources:

Ten Steps to Advancing College Reading Skills, 4th and 5th ed., John Langan

Longman Academic Writing Series 4, 5th ed

 1 Psychologists have identified three basic styles of parenting. 2 Controlling parents think their children have few rights and many
responsibilities. 3 They tend to demand strict obedience to rigid standards of behavior and expect their children to obey their commands
unquestioningly. 4 Permissive parents, in contrast, require little responsible behavior from their children. 5 Rules are not enforced, and the child
usually gets his or her own way. 6 Effective parents find a balance between their rights and their children’s rights. 7 They control their children’s
behavior without being harsh or rigid. (NOTE: This passage does not contain a concluding sentence.)

What is the topic of the passage?

What is the topic sentence of the passage?

Which sentences provide the main supporting ideas? Which sentences provide the minor supporting ideas?

Source: Reading for Results, 11th ed., Laraine Flemming (251)