Academic Writing
From Paragraph to Essay
Unit 3: The Development of a Paragraph
• Paragraph support and development
• Writing concluding sentences
• Peer editing
Presented by Mr PHON Vannak
Email: [Link]@[Link]
Review
1. What is a paragraph?
2. What are the three basic parts of a paragraph?
3. What is a topic sentence?
4. What are supporting sentences?
5. What is a concluding sentence?
The Development of a Paragraph
In this unit you will learn...
o methods of paragraph support and development.
o how to write concluding sentences.
o how to do peer editing.
Paragraph Development
After you have chosen a topic and written a topic sentence, you develop your
main idea by adding more information to explain what you mean.
This unit will explain three common ways to develop a paragraph:
• giving details
• giving an explanation
• giving an example
Details
Details are specific points that tell more about a general statement.
Details Continue
Exercise 1: Read this brochure from a health club. Notice the details that help
develop the paragraph.
Details Continue
Exercise 2: In the paragraph on the previous page, underline the topic sentence.
Below, list the details used to support the topic sentence.
Compare your answers with a partner.
Explanation
An explanation tells the reader what something means or how something
works.
Explanation Continue
Exercise 3: Read this paragraph, underline the topic sentence.
Explanation Continue
Read the paragraph again and answer the questions below.
Example
An example is a specific person, place, thing, or event that supports an idea or
statement.
Example Continue
Exercise 4: This paragraph includes an example from the writer’s experience.
Underline the topic sentence.
Example Continue
Exercise 5: Why do you think the writer chose to use an example to develop
the paragraph in exercise 4?
Write your reason here:
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Compare your answer with a partner.
Choosing a mean of support
Exercise 6:
Choosing a mean of support Continue
Exercise 7:
Concluding sentences
How to end a paragraph
Concluding sentences Continue
Exercise 8:
Concluding sentences Continue
Exercise 9:
Concluding sentences Continue
Exercise 9:
Concluding sentences Continue
Exercise 9:
Concluding sentences Continue
Exercise 9:
Concluding sentences Continue
Exercise 9:
Peer editing
What is peer editing?
The next page is the first draft of the paragraph about the writer’s first date
with Greg. The writer has shown the paragraph to another student, who wrote
some comments.
Peer editing Continue
Exercise 10:
Peer editing Continue
Why do writers use peer editing?
Peer editing Continue
How do I peer edit?
Peer editing Continue
Giving constructive suggestion
Exercise 11:
Giving constructive suggestion Continue
Giving constructive suggestion Continue
Giving constructive suggestion Continue
Exercise 12:
Giving constructive suggestion Continue
Exercise 13:
Review
Exercise 14:
Review Continue
Enjoy your course!
