Supporting Sentences

The supporting sentences of a paragraph develop the main idea

you presented in the topic sentence. When writing supporting
sentences you should be giving examples, reasons, or
descriptions to support your topic sentence.

Supporting sentences should focus on the following:

- They should provide the main supporting points for the

paragraph’s main idea (topic sentence)

- There are usually 2 - 4 supporting sentences in a paragraph.

- They should be arranged in a logical order.

- They should NOT begin a new topic or introduce a new idea

What is the purpose of the

introductory paragraph?
❖ The introductory paragraph of an expository
essay gives a snapshot of the full document, i.e.,
it summarizes the main points that are further
developed
❖ presents the focus of your essay and give your
reader some general information about your
 subject.
❖ catch your reader’s attention so that he/she will
become interested in reading your essay.

The Parts of the Introductory Paragraph

❖ The Hook - Designed to grab attention
immediately and give some indication about the
essay’s topic.

❖ Background sentences - three sentences that

establishes why the topic is of interest.

❖ Thesis - This is one sentence which has three

main points about what will be discussed in the
essay without a blatant announcement.