Learn about the paragraph + Features of a good paragraph + Topic sentence + Supporting sentences + Concluding sentence

1. The Paragraph
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2. My uncle Patricio is one of the most interesting
people in my family. He is old and has a winkled
brown face. On his arm, there is a tattoo. Patricio has
an intriguing history. He and my mother were born in
a small village in the mountains. When he was
seventeen, he left home to explore the world. Now
he fixes air conditioners in Los Angeles, and during the
winter months, he sometimes comes to visit us and
play the accordion. I love spending time with my uncle
Patricio because he has an interesting look and a
mysterious past. Someday, I hope that he will tell me
more about his life.
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3. Paragraph Organization
Topic
Sentence
Supporting
sentences
Concluding
sentence
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4. Features of a good paragraph
Length: 6 – 12 sentences
Format: Indent the first sentence
Leave left & right margin
Organization: about 1 topic
 Topic sentence:
 Supporting sentences:
 Concluding sentence:
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5. Topic sentence
+
1 Topic
1 Main idea
Eg: Studying karate gives me strength and confidence.
My uncle Patricio is one of the most interesting people
in my family
 Read the following topic sentences and decide if they are
strong or weak
1. Australia is an interesting country.
2. Cats are good company for their owners.
3. The food and people in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea are
very interesting and different and so are the buildings.
4. School starts at 8.30 a.m.
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6. Topic sentence
A weak topic sentence:
Too broad:
Eg: Australia is an interesting country.
-> On my visit to Australia, I saw many unusual
animals.
Too narrow:
Eg:
School starts at 8.30 a.m.
-> Getting ready for school in the
morning is very difficult.
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7. A weak topic sentence:
More than one main idea
Eg: The food and people in Japan, Taiwan, and
Korea are very interesting and different and
so are the buildings.
-> Traditional Japanese food is different from
Korean food.
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8. Supporting sentences
Unity: every sentence
supports the main idea.
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Coherence: sentences
link logically to each
other

9. Concluding sentence
Restate the topic sentence
Summarize the main ideas
Make a prediction
Make a suggestion or give advice
Give your comment/feeling
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10. Concluding sentence
Example:
Topic sentence
I admire many things about my father
Concluding sentence
When I grow up, I hope I will be just like my
father
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11. Wrap - up
Paragraph organization
Features of a good paragraph
Topic sentence
Supporting sentences
Concluding sentence
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