College of Arts

Department of English Language and

Literature

Course: English 101

Chapter 2: Writing
Paragraphs

Semester 1 2020-2021
• OBJECTIVES OF CHAPTER 2
1. Students will identify the essential elements of a paragraph: topic sentence, supporting sentences and concluding sentence.

2. Students will develop knowledge of the qualities of an effective paragraph : unity and Coherence.

3. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the structure of the Paragraph Writing using the writer’s tip of time order, spatial order and transitions words.
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. 
Paragraph Structure

1.Topic Sentence
2.Supporting Sentences
3.Concluding Sentence
 An Effective Paragraph resembles the
structure of a Burger Sandwich The upper and the
lower burger hold
the sandwich.
Resembles the
topic sentence With out the buns,
the sandwich will
Resemble fall apart.
the
supporting
details Without the topic
sentence and the
concluding
sentence, the
paragraph look
Resembles the concluding awkward.
sentence
The Topic Sentence (Top Bun)
 Very first sentence
of your paragraph.
There are many reasons that I
love to teach. First of all, I love to
 Always needs to be teach because I love being at school.
indented. Another reason I love teaching is that
the days go by quickly. A third reason
 Tells what your I love to teach is because I love seeing
paragraph is going to a student understand something new.
be about. Finally, I love to teach because I love
to be around kids. These are just a
few reasons I love to teach.
 Needs to state one
idea clearly
The First Detail (Lettuce)

There are many reasons

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

 Still There are many reasons

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

 Still There are many reasons

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

There are many reasons

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

Click here to return to the hamburger

 The Closing Sentence (Bottom Bun)

 Shouldlook a lot like There are many reasons

the topic sentence. 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
 Needs to summarize go by quickly. A third reason I
the topic. love to teach is because I love
seeing a student understand
something new. Finally, I love
 Needs to teach because I love to be
to be an around kids. These are just a
obvious end to the few reasons I love to teach.
sentence.
- 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.
Parts of A Topic Sentence

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 + CONTROLLING IDEA

SUBJECT + CONTROLLING IDEA

The invention of the light bulb (subject)

changed the world in many ways (controlling idea)

The invention of the light bulb changed the

Example:
world in many ways. or,
- The world was changed in many ways by the
invention of the light bulb.
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.

Supporting Idea 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:…………………………………………………………………………..
Supporting Idea 2: I can use my phone when I need to get
information.

Example 1: …………………………………………………………………….

Example 2: ………………………………………………………………………

Supporting Idea 3: I can use my phone for entertainment.

Example 1: ……………………………………………………………………

Example 2: ………………………………………………………………………
 Concluding Sentence
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.
 Paragraph Titles
 Many stand alone paragraphs have a title. The purpose of the Title is to give the reader an

idea of what the paragraph is about. Below are the properties of writing a good title:

1. Most titles are short or even one word

2. Titles are NOT complete sentences

3. Capitalize the first and last word of the Title, and all the other important words (Including

nouns, verbs, and adjectives). Do not capitalize articles (a, an, the) or prepositions (to,

from, at…etc.)

4. Do not use a period (.) at the end of a title

5. You may use question marks (?) or exclamation mark (!)

6. Always centre the title of the paragraph

 Transitions

The following transitional words and phrases are

commonly used at the beginning of a concluding sentence:

certainly therefore
as a result
because of this for these reasons
overall
Surely clearly
for this reason
Thus In brief

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.
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)
 Let’s Practice (Refer to page 40 ,43in
the course book for more exercises)
Check whether the paragraph below is acceptable.
 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
Common Methods of Organization
 Exercises 1
Read the following passage and identify the parts of the paragraph

(1)Qualities of a Good Marriage(1) A long-lasting marriage is made up of three important

qualities: good communication, unconditional acceptance, and humour. (2) First, communication
is vital to a healthy relationship. (3) Couples need to be honest about their needs, desires, and
feelings. (4) If they are not honest, they will not be able to make decisions together about work,
family, housing, and money. (5) Next, people in strong relationships love their partners, so they
are more accepting of faults and offensive behaviour. (6) Studies have shown that feelings of
disdain and contempt in a marriage increase the likelihood of divorce. (7) Feelings of contempt
are often directed towards the person not the offensive behaviour. (8) Since there can be so
much conflict in relationships, humour is an important quality for a happy, long-lasting
relationship. (9) Couples who laugh together and share good times feel more positive about their
marriage. (10) In addition, couples who can see the funny side to life don’t argue as much as
couples who are more serious. (11) To conclude, couples who want their marriages to last a
lifetime should work on communication, acceptance, and humour.
Topic Sentence:
1st Support:
2nd Support :
3rd Support :
Supporting Details for the 1st Support:
Supporting Details for the 2nd Support:
Supporting Details for the 3rd Support:
Concluding Sentence:
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
Thank you