The document discusses the structure and components of a well-written paragraph, including: - Topic sentences that introduce the main idea in a single sentence. - Supporting sentences that develop and support the topic with details, examples and descriptions. These sentences must be logically connected and relevant to the topic. - Conclusion sentences that restate the main idea in different words and make a final comment or summation. The document provides examples and exercises for learners to practice identifying, writing and rearranging the components of effective paragraphs.

1. Structure of the paper
Paragraphs

2. Group Exercise:
Rearrange the Order of the Sentences to Complete a Paragraph
The views are beautiful from the top the mountain and along the
trails.
I usually go skiing every weekend in the winter even though it is
expensive.
Skiing is my favorite sport.
I love the feeling of flying down a mountain.
Even the danger of falling and getting hurt cannot keep me away
from the slopes on a winter day.

3. A Paragraph: Layered Cake
Paragraph=One Idea
Unit
-Topic Sentence
-Supporting Sentences
-Conclusion Sentence
Top Layer- Topic
Sentence
Middle layers-
supprting
Sentences
Bottom Layer-
conclusion
Sentence

4. Top Layer: Topic Sentence
Thin layer (icing)
Most important sentence
Introduces the reader to your topic
Main idea=central, general meaning
Example: One reason I hate taking out the garbage is that it smells to
high heaven.

5. Group Exercise: Choosing Topic Sentences
Choose the correct topic sentence for the paragraph, &
explain your reasoning.
_________________________________________________. North
Americans send cards for many occasions. They send cards to family
and friends on birthdays and holidays. They also send thank-you cards,
get well cards, graduation cards, and congratulation cards. Buying
cards in stores and posting them through the mail is common. Sending
cards over the Internet is also popular.
a) Sending cards is very popular in North America.
b) Birthday cards are the most popular kind of card.
c) Sending thank-you cards is important.

6. Group Exercise: Writing Topic Sentences
Read the paragraph. Brainstorm with your group, and
write a topic sentence. Explain your reasoning.
_______________________________________. He
has collected stamps and coins ever since he was a
child. He is very proud of his valuable collections. Paul
also enjoys painting and drawing. Recently he has
become interested in gardening. Out of all his hobbies,
Paul’s favorite one is reading. He usually reads at least
one book every week. Paul keeps busy with all of his
hobbies.

7. Supporting Sentences: Middle Layer
Thickest layer of the cake
Develop and support the main idea:
Details
Examples
Specifics
Descriptions
How, what, when, where, why?
Example: Main idea: One reason I hate taking out the garbage is that it smells to high heaven.
Supporting Sentences: For example, the kitchen trash smells terrible. That plastic bag always
bulges full of things like last week’s meatloaf surprise, old tuna fish cans, moldy cheese, and
gobs of mushy turnip greens. This whole mess floats in a pool of spoiled milk.

8. Group Exercise: Developing Supporting Sentences
In your groups, write 3-4 supporting sentences for the
following topic sentence:
Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy diet.

9. Supporting Sentences: Coherence
Coherence means logical connections exist between sentences so the reader can easily
understand the paragraph
Coherence is achieved by:
- Logical bridges
-Same idea of the topic carried over from supporting sentence to sentence
-Verbal bridges
-Key words or synonyms used in supporting sentences
-Pronouns refer to nouns in previous sentences
-Transition words can be used to link ideas from different sentences

10. Supporting Sentences: Coherence and Relevancy
Every supporting sentence must relate to the topic sentence
Irrelevant sentences must be omitted and/or replaced
Example: The students in the class come from many different parts of
the world. Some are from European countries, such as France, Spain,
and Italy. Others are from Middle Eastern countries like Saudi Arabia
and Israel. Still other students were born in Asian countries, including
Japan and Korea. Korean food is delicious. The largest number of
students is from Latin American countries like Mexico, Venezuela and
Peru. The class is an interesting mix of people from many different
countries.

11. Group Exercise: Irrelevant Sentences. Choose the one
irrelevant sentence in the paragraph. Explain your reasonin
The capital city of a country is usually a very important city.
The government offices are located in the capital city and
political leaders usually live there nearby. There are many
different types of governments in the world. The capital may
also be the center of culture. There are often museums,
libraries, and universities in the capital. Finally, the capital city
can serve as a center of trade, industry and commerce, so it is
often the financial center of the country.

12. Bottom Layer: Conclusion Sentence
-Thin layer
-Restates main idea in different words
-Summation or makes a final comment

13. Group Exercise: Conclusion Sentence. Read the paragraph.
Brainstorm with your group, and write a conclusion sentence.
Explain your reasoning.
Credit cards have a lot of advantages. First of all,
credit cards are convenient because you do not have to
carry a lot of cash around. You can buy the products
and services you need even if you do not have cash in
your pocket. In addition, credit cards are very helpful in
emergencies. Finally, you can become a better money
manager as you learn to use credit cards responsibly.
______________________________________ .

14. Group Exercise: Rearrange the Order of the Sentences to
Complete a Paragraph
Miami is my first choice for a vacation destination.
There are many fine restaurants in the Miami area, and most of the
hotels offer terrific entertainment nightly.
Miami is the perfect place to take a vacation.
The beaches are gorgeous, with soft white sand and beautiful water.
Miami is always sunny and warm.