The document discusses the structure of paragraphs and essays. It explains that a paragraph should include a topic sentence, supporting details, and a concluding sentence. The topic sentence states the main idea, while the supporting details provide examples or evidence. An essay consists of an introduction with a thesis statement, body paragraphs with topic sentences and supporting details, and a conclusion. The thesis statement presents the main argument to be discussed in the body paragraphs. Outlining helps to organize the structure and flow of ideas in an essay.

1. ELC080
ENGLISH FOR
FOUNDATION
STUDIES 1
WRITING SKILL

2. STRUCTURE OF A PARAGRAPH
Topic Sentence: __________________________________
Supporting Details: (1) ___________________________
(2) ___________________________
(3) ___________________________
Concluding sentence: ____________________________

3. TOPIC SENTENCE
 It is the main idea of the entire
paragraph.
 It is generally the first sentence of the
paragraph.
 Consists of one controlling idea.
 It is made up of a subject (narrow topic)
and an attitude.
 Must be one complete sentence.

4. HOW TO CONSTRUCT A TOPIC
SENTENCE?
Topic Narrow Topic Attitude
Learning a skill Playing a musical instrument challenging
Cooking beneficial
Dancing good pastime
Foreign language demanding
Speed reading
Topic Sentence: Learning to play a musical instrument requires a great
amount of concentration.
OR
Learning to play the violin requires a great amount of concentration.

5. EXERCISES
Narrow each topic, choose a controlling idea and write a
topic sentence focused enough to write a good paragraph.
1. Diets
Narrowed topic: _______________________________________
Controlling idea: ______________________________________
Topic sentence: ________________________________________
2. Internet
3. Modern medicine
4. Movies

6. EXAMPLE
Topic Narrow Topic Attitude
Movies Watching movies at the cinema expensive
Topic Sentence: Watching movies at the cinema can be a rather
expensive affair.
Supporting details: (1) The price of the tickets is unreasonable.
(2) There is a tendency to snack.
(3) There is a cost incurred to get to the destination.
Concluding statement: Therefore, a trip to the movies can be costly.

7. STRUCTURING THE ESSAY
The following are the essential parts of an
essay:
oIntroduction
oBody
oConclusion
Before an essay can be structured, it is
necessary to have a Thesis Statement.

8. THESIS STATEMENT
 It is the main idea of the entire essay.
 It is normally the last sentence of the introductory
paragraph.
 It must be one complete sentence.
 The 3 points of the essay will be included in this
sentence.
 Tells the reader what the body paragraphs will
consist of.

9. EXAMPLE
Topic: Reading
Thesis statement: It is important for children to
cultivate the reading habit because it broadens
knowledge, enhances imagination and improves
vocabulary.
Topic: Learning to play an instrument
Thesis statement: Learning to play an instrument is
time consuming, tedious and expensive.

10. OUTLINING AN ESSAY
Thesis statement: ________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
Topic sentence 1: _________________________________________________
Supporting details: (1) ____________________________________________
(2) ____________________________________________
(3) ____________________________________________
Topic sentence 2: _________________________________________________
Supporting details: (1) ____________________________________________
(2) ____________________________________________
(3) ____________________________________________
Topic sentence 3: _________________________________________________
Supporting details: (1) ____________________________________________
(2) ____________________________________________
(3) ____________________________________________
Concluding Statement: ____________________________________________

11. COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING
OUTLINE
Title: It is important for children to cultivate the reading habit.
Thesis statement: ________________________________________
Topic sentence 1: It is important for children to cultivate the
reading habit because it broadens knowledge.
Supporting details: (1) __________________________________
(2) __________________________________
(3) __________________________________
Topic sentence 2: _______________________________________
Supporting details: (1) It encourages imagination.
(2) __________________________________
(3) __________________________________
Topic sentence 3: _______________________________________
Supporting details: (1) __________________________________
(2) __________________________________
(3) It can help develop communication skills.
Concluding statement: _________________________________________

12. Questions?
Let’s practice!

13. Thank you for listening,
concentrating and trying.