Lëssøñ Pårågråph

04 Idea development
Lead-in

Here are some controversial opinions. State your opinions on at least two of them and explain why you
think so.

1. There are no ugly women, just women who do not make themselves beautiful.

2. The 18-year-olds are mature enough to get married.

3. Fat people are kind-hearted.

4. TV is bad for children.

5. Success is all hard work.

6. Student love should be avoided because it may exert bad influence on your study.

7. Chinese should become the new international language.

8. The world would be better if all world leaders were women.

Work in pairs. Listen to your partner’s opinion. Pay special attention to how they support their
main ideas. How many kinds of support can you find?

Understanding well-developed paragraphs

Task 1

The following paragraphs discuss the same topic. Read the paragraphs and answer the questions.

1. Although pit bulls were originally bred to fight, they can actually make good pets. Today, many
people are afraid of pit bulls. These dogs are sometimes mistreated. As a result, they become
more aggressive. For this reason, they are misunderstood and persecuted. In fact, some cities
have taken action against them. But pit bulls do not deserve their bad reputation. Contrary to
popular opinion, they can make good pets.

Ms. Long Bien – 0912790040 – longbien43@gmail.com Page 1

 2. Although pit bulls were originally bred to fight, they can actually make good pets. It is true that
their powerful jaws, short muscular legs, and large teeth are ideally suited to fighting, and they
were used extensively for this purpose in the rural South and Southwest. It is also true that some
pit bulls – especially males – can be aggressive toward other dogs. However, most pit bulls like
human beings and are quite friendly. Owners report that pit bulls are affectionate, loyal, and good
with children. When pit bulls behave viciously, it is usually because they have been mistreated. As
a recent newspaper article pointed out, the number of reported bites by pit bulls is no greater than
the number of bites by other breeds. In fact, some dogs, such as cocker spaniels, bite much more
frequently. The problem is that whenever a pit bull attacks a person, the incident is reported in the
paper. As you can see, pit bulls do not deserve their reputation. With a little bit of tender, loving
care, a pit bull can be a welcome addition to any family.

1. Underline the topic sentence in each paragraph.

2. What details are used to support the topic sentence in each paragraph? Write them down here

Paragraph 1:

Paragraph 2:

3. Discus the following questions with your partner: Which paragraph is well-developed? Which
one is not well-developed? Include the reasons.

Focus

1. What does a well-developed paragraph contain?

2. Is a long paragraph always a well-developed one?

3. How can we correct a not well-developed paragraph?

Ms. Long Bien – 0912790040 – longbien43@gmail.com Page 2

Note:

A paragraph that leaves too many questions unanswered, too many claims unsupported, or too
many ideas unillustrated or unexplained will not be effective. By adding details, facts, and
examples, you can turn a relatively unconvincing paragraph into an interesting and persuasive one.

Task 2 The following paragraph is not very well developed. On the lines that follow it,
write three questions or suggestions that might help the writer develop his or her ideas
more fully.

1. Other than my parents, the biggest influence on my life was probably my Aunt Sylva.
When I was little, she used to baby-sit for me every day, and she always found interesting
and educational things for us to do, either at home or on trips downtown. She had lived in
Mexico City for many years, and I always admired her exotic looks. As a teenager, I tried
to copy the way she walked, talked, and even dressed. Even today, I often think of her
when I catch myself putting on the sort of outfit she might have worn. Tragically, she died
just before my eighteenth birthday.

______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________

Developing ideas

1. Using questions
Asking and answering questions can help add more details to develop ideas.

Example

Although seat belts have been shown to save lives, people give a number of reasons for not
using them. First, many people think they are a nuisance. Second, many people are lazy. Third,
some people do not believe they will have an accident. Finally, some people are afraid the seat
belt will trap them in their car. All of these reasons seem inadequate since statistics show that
wearing seat belts saves lives and prevents serious injuries.

Ms. Long Bien – 0912790040 – longbien43@gmail.com Page 3

The paragraph can be improved by adding details to answer the following questions:

 Why do people dislike seat belts?

 In what way are people lazy?
 Why do people think they won’t have an accident?
 Under what circumstances might people get trapped?

Although seat belts have been shown to save lives, people give a number of reasons for not
using them. First, many people think they are a nuisance. They say the belt is uncomfortable
and inhibits freedom of movement. Second, many people are lazy. For them, it is too much
trouble to put on and adjust a seat belt, especially if they are only going a short distance. Third,
some people do not believe they will have an accident because they are careful and
experienced drivers. They think they will be able to respond quickly to avoid a crash. Finally,
some people are afraid the seat belt will trap them in their car. They feel that if they have an
accident, they might not be able to get out of a car that is burning, or they might be
unconscious and another person won’t be able to get them out. All of these reasons seem
inadequate since statistics show that wearing seat belts saves lives and prevents serious
injuries.

Task 3

Answer the questions and put them in the paragraph to develop more ideas.

1. Airplanes and helicopters can be used to save people’s lives. Helicopters can be used for
rescuing people in trouble. Planes can transport food and supplies when disasters strike. Both
types of aircraft can transport people to hospitals in emergencies. Helicopters and airplanes can
be used to provide medical services to people who live in remote areas.

 In what situations do people need rescuing by helicopters?

 What kinds of disasters might happen?
 What kinds of emergencies may require people to be transported to hospitals?
 How can helicopters and airplanes be used to provide medical services for people in remote
areas?

2. Studying in another country is advantageous in many ways. A student is exposed to a new

culture. Sometimes he or she can learn a new language. Students can often have learning
experiences not available in their own countries. A student may get the opportunity to study at a
university where a leading expert in his or her field may be teaching.

 How can exposure to a new culture be an advantage?

 How can learning a new language be an advantage?

Ms. Long Bien – 0912790040 – longbien43@gmail.com Page 4

 What kinds of experiences might a student have?
 What are the benefits of studying under a leading expert?

2. Using facts, examples, personal experiences, and descriptions

Example

Topic sentence The Smithsonian Institution is worth visiting for a number of reasons.
Supporting idea 1 The Smithsonian Institution comprises various museums that offer
something for everyone.
Details - facts These museums include the National Museum of History and
Technology, the National Aeronautics and Space Museum, the National
Collection of Fine Arts, the National Museum of Natural History, and
several others.
Supporting idea 2 A person can do more than just look at the exhibits.
Details - examples For example, in the insect zoo at the National Museum of Natural
History, anyone who so desires can handle some of the exhibits.
Supporting idea 3 The museums provide unforgettable experiences.
Details – personal In climbing through the Skylab exhibit at the National Aeronautics and
experience Space Museum, I was able to imagine what it would be like to be an
astronaut in space.
Supporting idea 4 Movies shown at regular intervals aid in building an appreciation of our
world.
Details – In the National Aeronautics and Space Museum, there is a theater that
description has a large screen. When the movie is shown, it gives the viewer the
feeling that he or she is in the movie itself, either floating above the
Earth in a hot-air balloon or hang gliding over cliffs.

Task 4

Add supporting details to the outlines below. Use facts, examples, personal experiences, or descriptions.

Outline 1

Topic sentence My favorite pastime is reading.

Supporting idea 1 Reading helps me enrich my knowledge.
Details –

Ms. Long Bien – 0912790040 – longbien43@gmail.com Page 5

 Supporting idea 2 Reading enables me to relax.
Details –

Supporting idea 3 Reading allows me to make friends with people of similar interests.
Details –

Outline 2

Topic sentence Many bad traffic accidents could be prevented.

Supporting idea 1 There should be stricter laws to punish drivers who cause the accidents.

Details –

Supporting idea 2 More TV programs designed to encourage drivers drive responsibly

should be produced.
Details –

Supporting idea 3 Road signs should be made clearer.

Details –

Further practice

Here are topic sentences related to the Theme “Story-telling” and “Numbers”. For each sentence, write four
questions about each topic. Remember to use Who? What? Where? When? Why? or How? questions. If you
cannot think of four questions, brainstorm some ideas with a classmate.

1. Topic sentence: Reading bed-time stories is helpful for children for the following reasons.

2. Topic sentence: Learning math is very important for our daily life.

Ms. Long Bien – 0912790040 – longbien43@gmail.com Page 6

Production

Choose one of the following topics or a topic suggested by your teacher

1. What can be done to solve the pollution caused by plastic bags?

2. How to encourage students to do physical exercise?

3. Why do many people learn foreign languages?

Ms. Long Bien – 0912790040 – longbien43@gmail.com Page 7