To teach how to write a paragraph

1. Chapter 2: Writing
Paragraphs
College of Arts
Department of English
Language and Literature
Course: ENGL 101
Semester 1
2023-2024

2. •OBJECTIVES OF CURRENT LECTURE
1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the structure of
the Paragraph Writing using the writer’s tip of time order,
spatial order and transitions words.
2. Students will identify the essential elements of a
paragraph: topic sentence, supporting sentences and
concluding sentence.
3. Students will develop knowledge of the qualities of an
effective paragraph : unity and Coherence.

3. What is a paragraph?
 A paragraph develops ONE main idea through a series of related
sentences. This main idea is usually introduced in the first sentence of
the paragraph, called the topic sentence. The idea is then developed
further through the sentences that follow.
 A paragraph is usually around 250 words and consists of five or six
sentences, although this can vary depending on the purpose of the
paragraph, and the length of the piece you are writing.

4. Paragraph Structure
elements / components
1.Topic Sentence
2.Supporting Sentences
3.Concluding Sentence

5. An Effective Paragraph resembles the
structure of a Burger Sandwich The upper and the
lower burger hold
the sandwich.
With out the buns,
the sandwich will
fall apart.
Without the topic
sentence and the
concluding
sentence, the
paragraph look
awkward.
Resembles the
topic sentence
Resembles the concluding
sentence
Resemble
the
supporting
details

6. The Topic Sentence (Top Bun)
 Very first sentence
of your paragraph.
 Always needs to be
indented.
 Tells what your
paragraph is going
to be about.
There are many reasons
that I love to teach. First of
all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another
reason I love teaching is that
the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is
because I love seeing a student
understand something new.
Finally, I love to teach because
I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to
teach.

7. The First Detail (Lettuce)
 Should not be the most
important detail.
 Needs to follow directly
after the topic
sentence.
 Needs to be full of good
“lettucy” details!
There are many reasons
that I love to teach. First of
all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another
reason I love teaching is that
the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is
because I love seeing a student
understand something new.
Finally, I love to teach because
I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to
teach.
Click here to return to the hamburger

8. The Second Detail (Tomato)
 Still should not be
the most important
detail.
 Needs to follow
directly after the
lettuce sentence.
 Needs to be full of
good “juicy” details!
There are many reasons
that I love to teach. First of all,
I love to teach because I love
being at school. Another
reason I love teaching is that
the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is
because I love seeing a student
understand something new.
Finally, I love to teach because
I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to
teach.
Click here to return to the hamburger

9. The Third Detail (Cheese)
 Still not be the most
important detail.
 Needs to start
differently than
other sentences.
 Needs to be full of
good “cheesy”
details!
There are many reasons
that I love to teach. First of all,
I love to teach because I love
being at school. Another reason
I love teaching is that the days
go by quickly. A third reason I
love to teach is because I love
seeing a student understand
something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be
around kids. These are just a
few reasons I love to teach.
Click here to return to the hamburger

10. The Last Detail (Meat)
 Finally!! The most
important detail.
 Should start
differently than most
of the other
sentences.
 Needs to be full of
good “meaty” details!
There are many reasons
that I love to teach. First of all,
I love to teach because I love
being at school. Another reason
I love teaching is that the days
go by quickly. A third reason I
love to teach is because I love
seeing a student understand
something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be
around kids. These are just a
few reasons I love to teach.
Click here to return to the hamburger

11. The Closing Sentence
(Bottom Bun)
 Should look a lot like
the topic sentence.
 Needs to summarize
the topic.
 Needs to be an
obvious end to the
sentence.
There are many reasons
that I love to teach. First of all,
I love to teach because I love
being at school. Another reason
I love teaching is that the days
go by quickly. A third reason I
love to teach is because I love
seeing a student understand
something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be
around kids. These are just a
few reasons I love to teach.

12. Focus!
- What is a Topic Sentence?
A topic sentence is often, but not always, the first sentence in
a paragraph.
- It tells the MAIN IDEA of the paragraph.
-It also tells what the author wants to SAY ABOUT the topic.

13. SUBJECT + focus
The invention of the light bulb (subject)
changed the world in many ways (controlling idea)
The invention of the light bulb changed the
world in many ways. or,
- The world was changed in many ways by the
invention of the light bulb.
Example:
2 Parts of A Topic Sentence
Subect + verb + complement
The effects of climate on our lives ( phrase )
The effects of climate on our lives are several / different / numerous
There are several / numerous / different effects of climate on our lives.
A topic sentence tells what the author is going to say about the subject. We will
call this the “controlling idea” of the paragraph.
Putting the parts together SUBJECT + focus

15. Let’s Practice! (Refer to pages 27-
28,29,30,35 in the course book.)
Instructions: Write three sentences to illustrate each of the
supporting ideas below.
Topic Sentence: My cell phone is an important part of my life.
1-Supporting Idea 1/point 1: It lets me communicate easily
anywhere and anytime.
Example1: I can send a text message to my friend to meet me
after class.
Example 2:…………………………………………………………………………..

16. 2-Supporting Idea 2: I can use my phone when I need to get
information.
Example 1: …………………………………………………………………….
Example 2: ………………………………………………………………………
3-Supporting Idea 3: I can use my phone for entertainment.
Example 1: ……………………………………………………………………
Example 2: ………………………………………………………………………

17. Concluding Sentence and
Transitions
The concluding sentence is the last sentence of the paragraph. It
concludes, or wraps up, a paragraph.
It lets the reader know that you have finished talking about the idea
introduced by the topic sentence.
A concluding sentence often has one of these four important
purposes:
1.It restates the main idea.
2.It gives an opinion.
3.It offers a suggestion.
4. It makes a prediction.

18. The following transitional words and phrases are
commonly used at the beginning of a concluding sentence:
Transitions
certainly
because of this
Surely
Thus
therefore
for these reasons
clearly
In brief
as a result
overall
for this reason
Topic Sentence: At some point, most parents have to decide whether or not to allow
their children to have pets.
Concluding Sentence :In brief, although many children want a pet, parents are
divided on this issue for a number of important reasons.

19. PARAGRAPH UNITY AND COHERENCE
Paragraphs should have both coherence and unity.
Unity: A paragraph with unity develops a single idea thoroughly and links it to
the rest of the paper. (one paragraph, one topic)
Coherence: Paragraph coherence is achieved when sentences are ordered in
a logical manner and when clear transitions link sentences.
(sensible ideas, logical sentence sequence, good paragraph flow)

20. Let’s Practice (Refer to page 40 ,43in
the course book for more exercises)
Check whether the paragraph below is acceptable.

21. justification:
Unacceptable. the paragraph moves from one
idea to another, lacks focus and is even
incoherent at times. The sentences jump from
one idea to another and get too far away from
the original text and from the wonders
Thomas presents to us

22. Common Methods of Organization

25. Writing Activity!
Writing Prompt: Write a paragraph about the career you are
considering. Explain why you are choosing that career path, and
how you plan to accomplish your goals.
My to do List:
1. I will read the writing prompt.
3. I will brainstorm ideas for five minutes.
4. I will write a short paragraph (six to ten sentences).
5. I will begin my paragraph with a topic sentence (indent
first sentence)
6. I will Provide supporting details that support the idea of
the topic sentence
7. I will end my paragraph with a topic sentence
8. I will make sure that my paragraph is unified and I will
follow a method of organization