Quarter 4 - Week 4

Compose Effective Paragraphs

 English 8 Quarter 4 Week 4: Learning Activity Sheet Number 4

Compose Effective Paragraphs

Sharisse Alden B. Tonga
Writer

Name of Student: __________________________________________________

Grade Level: _______________________________________________
Date: _____________________________________________

I. INTRODUCTION

GOOD DAY! Welcome to Quarter 4, week 4. This Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) aims to improve
your ideas in composing an effective paragraphs.

II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?
A PARAGRAPH is a group of sentences that focus on one main point. Paragraphs break writing
into manageable parts, which is important for several reasons. Effective paragraphing shows the
series of ideas a writer builds within an essay or research paper. Paragraphs also identify the
organizational structure of the draft, making it easier to follow the writer’s purpose, thesis, and
supporting points. This structure enables writers to revise so that ideas are arranged clearly in the
final draft of the paper.
The following guidelines will help you develop effective paragraphs to engage your readers and
to make your writing more organized, focused, and clear.
AN EFFECTIVE PARAGRAPH:
 Focuses on one main point or example
 Usually has a topic sentence that ties information together
 Contains sentences that all relate to or expand on a specific idea
 Presents ideas in a logical way to establish credibility
 Is well-developed with detail but not overly long
 Flows smoothly and uses transitional words and phrases
 Avoids repetition by using pronouns and synonyms to refer to similar ideas
 Guides readers with transitional sentences that act as verbal and logical bridges ---
referring back to a previous sentence or paragraph or ahead to the next
TRANSITION TO A NEW PARAGRAPH TO:
 Provide a bridge between the introduction and the rest of the paper
 Begin or elaborate on a new point
  Break up lengthy discussions or descriptions for readers
 Contrast ideas developed earlier
 Refute a claim or counter-argument
 Indicate a shift in time and place
 Change3 speakers in a dialogue
 Set up the conclusion to the paper
Note: In a longer paper, the introduction and/or conclusion may be more than one paragraph.

WAYS TO ORGANIZE PARAGRAPHS:

 From general to specific (starts with a general topic sentence, follows with details that
explain)
 From specific to general (specific details lead to a final topic sentence that reveals an idea)
 Chronologically (time order)
 Spatially (present details as they appear in a specific location)

Now that you have an idea about how a paragraph works, here are the basics.
THE BEGINNING
The first sentence of a paragraph is the topic sentence. It tells what the paragraph will be about.
A sentence like, “I go to school,” is a rather weak topic sentence because it doesn’t tell anything
about what you will be saying about going to school. A topic sentence that says, “I go to a very
strange school,” is not only more interesting, it tells something about what you will be saying.

THE MIDDLE
The sentences which follow the topic sentence add specific details to tell more about the topic.
The details need to make the topic more interesting or help explain what you mean. Every sentence
in the middle of the paragraph, or the body, needs to be about the topic stated in the topic
sentence. If you were to use the topic sentence about going to a strange school, a middle sentence
might say, “From a distance my school looks like a space ship.”

THE END
The last sentence of your paragraph is the concluding sentence, or closing. This sentence
reminds the reader of what the topic is about and what it means. For the paragraph about a
strange school, this could be closing sentence. “Because of its shape, location, and the strange
noises coming from the factory down the hill, it is clear that I go to a strange school.”
Just remember that every paragraph, just like every story or book, has a beginning, a middle,
and an end.
 PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE

III. LEARNING COMPETENCIES

Compose effective paragraphs EN8WC-IIa-2.8

IV. ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 1 BEST CONCLUDING SENTENCE!

DIRECTIONS: Read each topic sentence, choose the best concluding sentence and rewrite it
on the line.

1. Topic sentence: The mixture of ginger and honey has many health benefits for treating
respiratory problems that are unmatched by any other magic potion.
a. Therefore, you should take this mixture every morning on an empty stomach.
b. In conclusion, this mixture provides instant relief so people suffering from cough, sore
throat and runny nose.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE: ____________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________.

2. Topic sentence: acquiring piano skills might seems hard at first, but if you’re serious about
it, you’ll be playing your first songs independently in a very short time.
a. Learning to play the piano is almost like climbing Mt. Everest.
b. Piano lessons from experts can make your learning experience less overwhelming and
more fun.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE: ____________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________.

3. Topic sentence: My doctor suggested to incorporate daily exercise in my routine. He

told me that it will not only maintain my weight but regular physical activity help reduce
the risk for several diseases, improve your health conditions, and overall quality of life.
a. Therefore, you should exercise daily.
b. Hence, you should plan to go hiking every Saturday.

CONCLUDING SENTENCE:
_________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________

ACTIVITY 2 WRITTEN COMPOSITION!

DIRECTION: Every sentence in a paragraph must contribute to the main idea. Most of the
sentences in a paragraph simply support the main idea. Some may state or summarize that idea.

(A) There is one sentence in each of the following paragraphs that DOES NOT contribute to the
main idea. It does not belong in the paragraph. Write the sentence that should be removed
from each paragraph.

1. Jim is looking forward to Election Day. It’s fun to vote and exciting to watch the election
results. He’ll be rooting for his candidate to win and enjoying the suspense if the vote is
close. The following day will be a good time to play video games.
2. April is beginning the lengthy process of choosing a college to attend. She is buying and
reading guides to the best schools. She hasn’t completely ruled out working for a year
before attending college. She’s checking out the many websites that provide information for
picking the right college or university. She’s even researching the climate of the area of
every school she considers.
 3. Bill is one of those people who just doesn’t have to worry about gaining too much weight.
He is the best tennis player I’ve ever met. Bill can eat any amount of any food he likes
without putting on an ounce. He can go for weeks without exercising with no apparent
effect. It just doesn’t seem fair!
4. Scientists are learning a great deal about the aging process. This knowledge will allow
doctors to help their patients live longer and better lives. They will be able to defeat
diseases associated with aging and perhaps even delay the onset of old age. Many doctors
would agree that some medicines are much too expensive.

ACTIVITY 3 HAMBURGER PARAGRAPH WRITING!

V. ASSESSMENT

DIRECTIONS: Write a paragraph to give information about your new bicycle and why you like it. Fill
in the following information.

1. Title of your paragraph:

__________________________________________________________________________
2. Topic sentence:
__________________________________________________________________________
 3. Reasons why you like your bike:
__________________________________________________________________________
4. Retell the main idea:
__________________________________________________________________________

Compose an effective paragraph using the information you have written above.

_____________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________.

VI. REFERENCES
 Guroako.com
 Detailed Lesson Plan in English 8
 VII. ANSWER KEY

ACTIVITY 1: ACTIVITY 2: ACTIVITY 3: ASSESSMENT:

1. The following day will
1. A be a good time to play 2 Answers vary
2. B video games.
3. A 2. She hasn’t completely 1
ruled out working for a
4
year before attending
college.
3
3. He is the best tennis
player I’ve ever met.
4. Many doctors would
agree that some
medicines are much too
expensive.