Writing Coherent Paragraph

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to,

 Identify the topic sentence and supporting details of a paragraph
 Write paragraphs inclusive of a topic sentence, supporting sentences and a closing
sentence coherently
 Use transitions meaningfully and appropriately in paragraphs
Read the paragraph carefully and match the following columns to understand the unity of the
paragraph.
We can map the change in a specific geographic area to anticipate future conditions. Think of a
course of action, or to evaluate the results of an action or policy. For an instance we can see land
use maps of Barnstable, map showing changes in residential development from 1951 to 1999. 
The dark green shows forest, while bright yellow shows residential development.  Applications
like this can help inform community planning processes and policies.
A Main idea of the paragraph Think of a course of…
B Reason Applications like this can help…
C Example The dark green shows…
E Information We can map the change…
F Reason For an instance…

What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a collection of sentences which deal with one subject.
All paragraphs contain a topic sentence.
Other components vary according to the nature of the topic.
Topic Sentence
What is the topic sentence?
The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph, which is often, but not always. It is
commonly the first sentence in explanatory writing and in argument.
What does it do?
It introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
You have already identified the topic sentence of the above paragraph.
How do I write one?
Summarize the main idea of your paragraph. Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will be
about.
 Example: Underline the topic sentence.
There is three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an
excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price.
Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers
and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada’s cities are clean and
efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a
result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

1. The following pairs are examples for bad topic sentences. What are the problems of them?
a. My boss is the subject of this paragraph.
b. I am going to talk about the increase in school drop outs.
c. My favorite flower is rose.
d. She lives in Colombo.
e. Many people have problems with their neighbors.
f. Most students find it difficult to adjust themselves to new situations.
 A topic sentence should have the topic + the writer’s idea about that topic.
Main idea vs. controlling idea:
Main idea: the subject or topic that the writer is discussing
Controlling idea: the writer’s specific stance on that subject
 Different writers may use the same main idea but can steer their paragraph in a number of
different directions according to their stance on the subject. Read the following examples.
o Marijuana has a destructive influence on teens and causes long term brain damage.
o The anti-nausea properties in marijuana are lifeline for many cancer patients.
o Legalizing marijuana would create a higher demand for Class A and Class B drugs.
What is the main idea of all the above three topic sentences?
 Note that the controlling idea differs depending on the writer’s viewpoint.
2. Read the following sentences and encircle the topic and underline the idea about the topic.
a. Ruwini is hard working.
b. Our vacation turned out to be disaster.
c. My parents have rigid racial attitudes.
d. Exercising three times a week is the only way to maintain good physical health.
 e. Sexism and racism are still rampant in today’s workplace.
f. Owing a business is the only way to achieve financial success.
3. Select the appropriate topic sentence for the following paragraphs.
a. ………………………… . First, food is usually overcooked and the quality of the food is
low. Still one can’t complain because although the food doesn’t taste good, you get
served in great quantities. Especially in the morning there are different kinds of food in
great quantities like roti, parata, sting hoppers and on good days there is kiribath too.
Second, on some days student clashes erupt during meals and we end up having food
fights. Basins of string hoppers and curry are thrown at each other till the warden thwarts
these fun-filled activities by bowling his whistle. Finally, there are many friendly people
in the hostel canteen who say “Hi” to you and we sometimes practice our English in the
canteen. I don’t think any other experience could replace the experience of the hostel
canteen.
a. Eating at the hostel canteen is a memorable experience.
b. Eating at the hostel canteen is a pleasant experience.
c. Hostel canteen food is low in quality.
b. ………………………… . When you go on a trip, you need to think about how much
money to allot for things like transportation, food, and hotels. Hotels and transportation
on trips can be expensive if you don’t book them with plenty of time in advance. Another
thing to plan for is how much time you want to spend sightseeing and doing different
sorts of activities. Even though you may want to do everything, you have to remember
that there are only so many hours in the day! Planning your trip carefully will allow you
to have a more relaxed trip.
a. It is unnecessary to go on expensive trips.
b. It is good to plan a one-day trip to save money and time.
c. It is important to plan your trips carefully
4. Write the topic sentences of the following paragraphs.
a. ………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………… . For example, students can learn about different cultures. They can
have a friend in China and compare cultures using email. As a result, they can understand
and appreciate other cultures better. If they have a Math problem, they can easily find a
 tutor or help on the Internet. Students who want to learn a different language can find
places where they can listen to tapes to simulate a teacher. If they have to do a research
paper on a specific topic, all they have to do is go to the Internet and they will find the
information instantly. The Internet is useful to students in many ways.
b. ………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………….. . It is proven that aerobic exercise is good for the heart, which is
very important to overall health. I used t run ever day, but now I go to dance classes to
get my aerobic exercise. Strength training is important for maintaining muscle mass and
improving bone density. Both muscle mass and bone density can decrease as we age, so
improving them through strength training is important. My grandmother broke a hip last
year because her bones were so fragile. All kinds of exercise have been shown to relieve
depression, anxiety, and stress.
c. ………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………… . The gathering stage consists of researching, brainstorming, and analyzing
in order to come up with a thesis. The next stage, organization, requires you to think
about a logical and persuasive arrangement for your various ideas. The writing stage
requires you to sit down and, following and outline, construct your essay. The fourth and
final stage involves endless revision: going over and over what you’ve written to make it
better.

Supporting details
What are supporting sentences?
They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of a paragraph.
Most paragraphs contain three to six supporting sentences.
What do they do?
They give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph.
What you have identified as information, examples and reasons.
How do I write them?
You should give supporting facts, details, and examples.
Example: Underline the supporting sentences.
There is three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an
excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price.
Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers
and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada’s cities are clean and
efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a
result, Canada is a desirable place to live.
A supporting sentence usually offers one of the followings:
Reason: The refusal of the baby boom generation to retire is contributing to the current lack of
available jobs.
Fact: Many families now rely on older relatives to support them financially.
Statistics: Nearly 10 per cent of adults are currently unemployed in Sri Lanka.
Quotation: “We will not allow this situation to continue”, stated the president.
Example: last year, most of the government officers were asked to retire at the age of fifty-five.
Can you identify the types of supporting details in the above example paragraph?
5. Identify three supporting details of the following paragraphs.
a. Several factors can interfere with having a good memory. For one thing, there can be a
lack of motivation. Without a real desire to learn or remember something, you probably
won’t. Also, a factor is a lack of practice. To stay sharp, memory skills, like any other
skill, must be used on a regular basis. Yet another factor that can hurt memory is self-
doubt. If you’re convinced you won’t remember something, you probably won’t. In
addition, distraction can interfere with memory. If you’re distracted by a television or by
conversation nearby, try to find quiet environment before trying to commit something to
memory.
Supporting detail 1: …………………………………………………………
Supporting detail 2: ………………………………………………………….
Supporting detail 3: ………………………………………………………….
b. Serious depression, as opposed to the fleeting kind we all fleeting kind we feel at times,
has definite warning signs. One symptom of depression is a change in sleep patterns,
either sleeplessness or sleeping too much. In addition, abnormal eating patterns may
develop, either too much or loss of appetite. A third sign is trouble in thinking or
concentrating even to the point of finding it difficult to read a magazine or newspaper.
 And last of all, a general feeling of hopelessness may signal depression. People feel
indifferent to their families and jobs and may begin to think that life is not worth living.
Supporting detail 1: …………………………………………………………
Supporting detail 2: ………………………………………………………….
Supporting detail 3: ………………………………………………………….
6. Write down three details that logically support the following topic sentences.
a. My hometown is famous for several amazing natural features.
Supporting detail 1: …………………………………………………………
Supporting detail 2: ………………………………………………………….
Supporting detail 3: ………………………………………………………….
b. When your money gets tight, there are several ways to economize.
Supporting detail 1: …………………………………………………………
Supporting detail 2: ………………………………………………………….
Supporting detail 3: ………………………………………………………….
Closing sentence
What is the closing sentence?
The closing sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph
What does it do?
It restates the main idea of your paragraph.
How do I write one?
Restate the main idea of the paragraph using different words.
Example: Underline the closing sentence.
There is three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an
excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price.
Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers
and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada’s cities are clean and
efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a
result, Canada is a desirable place to live.
7. Write an appropriate closing sentence to the following paragraph.
We can use GIS to determine what is happening or what features are located inside a specific
area/region. We can determine the characteristics of "inside" by creating specific criteria to
define an area of interest (AOI). Example: below is a map showing a flood event and the tax
parcels and buildings in the floodway. We can use tools like CLIP to determine which parcels
fall inside the flood event. Further, we can use attributes of the parcels to determine potential
costs of property damage. Thus,
………………………………………………………............................................... .
8. Using the above example on Canada as a model, write a paragraph on “the best country” in
your opinion, for a person to dwell in.
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Transitions
Transitions are used to link your ideas, so that your paragraph becomes coherent and
cohesive. A strong paragraph moves seamlessly from the topic sentence into the supporting
sentences and on to the concluding sentences.
9. Name the following categories of transitions by using the words/ phrases given in the box.

contrasting sequencing Cause and effect

 Adding Emphasizing Giving examples
summarizing Being more specific Giving reasons

First, Second, Third, Importantly, Notably, More specifically, In In fact, moreover,

Next, Finally Significantly, Indeed particular Furthermore,
In addition

For instance, Therefore, Due to, However, In conclusion,

For example, Consequently, Owing to Rather, In summation
Such as, Thus, Whereas,
Illustrated by So, On the other
Hence hand

10. Underline the transition and finish the sentences in a suitable way.
a. In contrast to America, where gun ownership is common,
………………………………………………………………………………………………
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b. Despite leaving school at the age of 14
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c. The majority displayed a positive attitude to the proposal, but
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d. While the tutor insisted that the essay was easy,
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 e. Although the expenditure was low,
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11. Complete the following paragraph using suitable transitions with correct punctuation.
a. It is easy to make a telephone call if you follow these simple directions. To make the call,
…………………………… you must know the telephone number you are dialing.
…………………… pick up the phone and listen for the dial tone. …………………. you
can start dialing the telephone number. If the person answers the phone, begin speaking.
If an answering machine clicks on, wait for the beep and record your message.
………………………. hang up the phone when you have finished your call.
b. ………………………… most major companies provide their employees with email
accounts as well as internet access, many of these companies are concerned about
potential abuse and monitor their employees’ use of these media. …………………. more
than 75 % of all major corporations report that they monitor their employees’ use of
email and internet access either by spot-checking or constant surveillance. Business have
many reasons for monitoring email and internet use ……………….. they may be
concerned about protecting sensitive company information they may be worried about
lawsuits arising from sexual harassment because of mass mailing of offensive jokes they
may also want to identify employees who are surfing the internet rather than working.
…………………. They are concerned about cyber-slacking.
12. Given below are some topic sentences. Select any three and develop them into paragraph.
a. There are four reasons why I like study in a university.
b. There are several advantages in proposal marriage.
c. The most interesting character in my favorite movie is …
d. There are many reasons for the rapid increase of COVID 19.
13. Select any of following topic related to your field of study and write a paragraph
a. Becoming a surveyor
b. Introduction to GIS and remote sensing
c. Hydro science
d. Photogrammetry
14. Think of a skill that you would practice in the university and would be taking into the
working world, and write a paragraph on that using not less than 150 words.
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