This document provides guidelines for writing effective paragraphs, including: - A paragraph should have 1 topic sentence that states the controlling idea. - The topic sentence is followed by supporting sentences that provide explanation, examples, or details relating directly to the controlling idea. - An optional concluding sentence can restate or transition to the next paragraph.

1. Paragraph
Writing

2. Paragraph
 Topic Sentence (Only 1!!)
 Topic + Controlling Idea (limiting phrases)
 Supporting Sentences
 Explanation + Examples
 Concluding Sentence (Optional)
 Restatement/ Predicting Transition

4. Topic Sentence
People can prepare against car accidents by
taking certain precautions.
Topic: Preparing against car accidents
Controlling Idea: precautions

5. Topic Sentence
There are several advantages to growing up in a
big city.
Topic: growing up in a big city
Controlling Idea: good (several good things)

6. several
some
one/two/three/etc.
a few
a number
the following
Major
Certain
advantages/disadvantages
reasons
goals
Functions
steps
(good/bad) qualities
(good/bad) results
benefits
differences
similarities
ways
Difficulties
challenges
changes
precautions
Speaking English in non English speaking countries
has several challenges

7. Supporting Sentences
 support the topic sentence
 Relate directly to the topic sentence
 Can be definition, example, explanation,
process

8. Topic: Going to movie
Controlling idea: difficult
Support 1: getting to the theater –
weather/ traffic/ inconvenience
Support 2: ticket – enough?/ seat/
people

9. Going to a movie theater is sometimes more
work than it’s worth. First of all, just getting to the
theater presents difficulties. Leaving a home equipped
with a TV and a video recorder isn't an attractive idea
on a humid, cold, or rainy night. Even if the weather
cooperates, there is still a thirty-minute drive to the
theater down a congested highway, followed by the
hassle of looking for a parking space. And then there
are the lines. After hooking yourself to the end of a
human chain, you worry about whether there will be
enough tickets, whether you will get seats together,
and whether many people will sneak into the line
ahead of you.