Department of English PARAGRAPH WRITING

Faculty of Arts and Humanities - Dhar El Mahraz SEMESTER 1

Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah University Profs. BOUHOUT & CHEMLAL
Fez, Morocco.

SUPPORTING SENTENCES:
WAYS OF DEVELOPMENT
A. PARAGRAPHS WITH A SINGLE TYPE OF DEVELOPMENT
1. Narration: When you narrate, you tell a story.
Ex: The day my sister was married was the happiest day of my life.
 After reading this topic sentence, readers expect to discover what happened to
make the writer so happy.
2. Description: When you describe, you tell how something looks, sounds, smells,
tastes, and feels (sensory details).
Ex: The caftans and costumes that my sister wore the day she was married were beautiful.
 After reading this topic sentence, readers expect to learn sensory details––in
this case, what the bride’s garments looked like and perhaps felt like.
3. Process: When you describe a process, you do one of the three things:
 You tell how something happened;
 You explain how something works, step by step;
 You give step by step directions for doing or making something.
Ex: Getting ready for my sister’s wedding celebration required many steps.
 After reading this topic sentence, readers expect to learn what steps were
necessary.
4. Examples: Here, you illustrate or explain your topic idea by giving instances.
Ex: My family has spent its holiday in several enjoyable places.
 After reading this topic sentence, readers expect to be given examples of
those places.
5. Contrast: When you contrast, you tell about differences between two things.
Ex: A holiday in Rabat is very different from a holiday in Marrakech.
 After reading this topic sentence, readers expect to be told about the
differences between the two cities in terms of spending a holiday in each.
6. Literal Comparison: When you write a literal comparison, you tell about actual
similarities between two things.
Ex: My cousin Rachid and I are very much alike.
 After reading this topic sentence, readers expect to be told about actual
similarities, such as appearance, favourite ways of spending time, and abilities.
7. Metaphoric Comparison: When you write a figurative comparison, whether it
is a metaphor, simile or personification, you show how things are similar in a
playful, poetic, or imaginative way–not in a literal way.
Ex: On the day of her wedding celebration, a bride is like a movie star.
 After reading this topic sentence, readers expect to be told in what ways this
non-literal comparison might be true.
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8. Cause/effect: When you write cause/effect, you tell the reasons that
something happened or you tell the results of something that happened.
Example of a topic sentence beginning of a paragraph of causes: My father
became seriously ill two years ago for several reasons.
 After reading this topic sentence, readers expect to learn why the writer’s
father became ill.
Example of a topic sentence beginning of a paragraph of effects: My father’s
serious illness two years ago has led to many changes in our family.
 After reading this topic sentence, readers expect to learn what changes took
place in the family as a result of the father’s illness.
9. Analysis: When you write an analysis, you discuss the parts of something.
Ex: Each neighbourhood in the medina contains four places that meet the spiritual,
educational and physical needs of the people living there.
 After reading this topic sentence, readers expect to learn what these places in
the medina are.
B. PARAGRAPHS WITH MORE THAN A SINGLE TYPE OF
DEVELOPMENT
1. Cause and Effect: A cause and effect paragraph discusses both reasons and
results and that something happened.
Ex: My father’s serious illness two years ago, which was the result of several unhappy
coincidences, has led to many changes in our family.
 Readers expect to learn why the illness happened and what happened within
the family as a result of the illness.
2. Comparison and contrast: The paragraph discusses how things are alike as well
as how they are different.
Ex: Although my cousin Rachid is like me in several ways, he is different from me in two
important respects.
 Readers expect to learn first how the two cousins are alike, and then how they
are different.
3. Definition: A paragraph of definition often begins with a dictionary definition
and continues with other types of development such as contrast and examples.
A paragraph of definition might use other types of development such as
analyzing the parts of the topic, comparing the topic to something similar or
stating the function of the topic.
4. Persuasion: A paragraph of persuasion tries to make readers act or think in a
particular way.
Ex: Moroccans who can travel abroad should visit the Canary Islands.
 Readers expect to learn why visiting the Canary Islands is a good idea. The
writer might give facts, narration, description, comparison, contrast,
cause/effect, or definition.

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SUPPORTING SENTENCES
Introduction
A common way to develop a paragraph uses supporting sentences illustrated by
specific details or examples. A paragraph like this might give 3 supporting reasons
to explain the idea in the topic sentence. Each reason is then illustrated with
specific details and examples.

SUPPORT: Develops the idea in the topic sentence using supporting details and
examples. Types of details will depend on the purpose of the paragraph:
 Explain: The family moved from the village to the capital for economic reasons.
 Describe: She lived in a lovely three-story castle surrounded by a forest.
 Give reasons: Lukas finally quit his job because of the stressful working
conditions.
 Give facts: More than ten percent of the university’s student population is
international.
 Give examples: Oranges and grapefruits, for example, grow in California.
 Define: Many tourists visit Bangkok, which is the capital and largest city in
Thailand.
 Describe a process: cut the vegetables into one-inch pieces; heat the oil, chilli
sauce, and garlic in a frying pan; add the vegetables and fry them until they are
soft.
When you are writing an essay, think of yourself as explaining your ideas to another
person (your reader). Your reader wants to know your reasons (supporting
sentences) for holding an opinion or feeling a certain way about an experience. The
reader also needs examples and details to better picture or understand what you
mean.
EXAMPLE
Topic Sentence: Oktoberfest is my favourite national holiday.
Supporting Sentence 1: My family has a tradition of going to Big Bear Lake for the holiday.
• Detail 1: We rent a cabin there so that we can attend the Oktoberfest activities that go on at the
Big Bear Convention Centre all month.
• Detail 2: The centre has activities for children and adults, so everyone from my little cousins to my
grandparents can find something to enjoy.
• Detail 3: Activities include German games, music, foods, and crafts.

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 SUPPORTING SENTENCES:
PRACTICE
Exercise 1: Read the following paragraph and identify the supporting sentences along with ‎the
details used to support them.‎
Motorists have more reason than ever to buckle up before they leave home.
Because seat belt use is required by law in most states, drivers can be ticketed for
failing to use restraining devices. Those who use seat belts regularly not only avoid
being ticketed for breaking the seat belt law but may avoid other tickets as well
because an officer who stops a driver for a traffic infraction such as speeding is more
likely to be lenient if he sees that the driver is wearing a seat belt. Not only are those
who consistently wear seat belts less likely to be ticketed, but also they are less likely to
be injured if an accident should occur. Seat belts prevent passengers from hitting the
dashboard or flying through the windshield when a collision occurs;‎ therefore, they
prevent serious injury and save lives. The mandatory seat belt laws in many states have
dramatically decreased the number of automobile fatalities in the United States each
year. With ever-increasing numbers of cars on the road and with speed limits once
again rising, motorists have more reason than ever to buckle up before they leave their
driveways.‎
Topic sentence: …………………………………………………………………..…
Supporting sentence 1: …………………………………………………………...…
Supporting sentence 2: …………………………………………………………...…
Supporting sentence 3: …………………………………………………………...…
Exercise 2: Cross out the sentence that does not support the topic sentence because it does not
prove or explain why the topic sentence is true.‎
‎1. Topic sentence: Trees are a valuable resource.‎
Supporting sentences
A. The roots of trees help to prevent soil erosion.‎
B. Trees provide oxygen for all animals to breathe.‎
C. There are many different sizes and shapes of trees and their leaves.‎
D. Many trees provide fruits and nuts for people and animals to eat.‎
2. Topic sentence: In this country, many people have trouble eating a balanced diet.‎‎
Supporting sentences
A. Many people skip meals to lose weight.
B. If you don’t eat a balanced diet, you should take extra vitamins and minerals.‎
C. Many people are used to having a burger and fries for their main meal.‎
D. Canned food does not have all-natural nutrition, and many people eat canned
vegetables instead of fresh ones.
Exercise 3: For each supporting idea, circle the letter of the sentence that most effectively
‎

supports the topic sentence.‎

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Topic sentence: Raymond’s, a steakhouse on the town square, is a great place to take a
family out to dinner.‎
‎Supporting idea 1: Food
A. This restaurant serves a marvellous array of fresh hot rolls, juicy roast beef,‎ crispy
chicken, and offers a monster salad bar filled with luscious fruits and vegetables.‎
B. While waiting for the food to be served, the aroma of the piping-hot food would
cause a person’s mouth to water.‎
C. With entrées including everything from New York strip steaks to hamburgers, and
a “mega bar” that houses a huge selection of salad items,‎ chicken wings, and
numerous pasta dishes, Raymond’s can satisfy any family member’s appetite, no
matter how extreme.‎
Supporting idea 2: Service
A. The waiters at Raymond’s are very polite and are also willing to get a customer
anything he may need to make his meal more enjoyable.‎
B. ‎The fast and friendly service enables parents to feed their children quickly,‎and this
allows the parents to eat their meal without having to fuss with hungry kids.‎
C. ‎Most of the time, Raymond’s has lots of servers on duty who provide special
services for all family members.‎
Supporting idea 3: Atmosphere
A. The atmosphere is lightly scented with hickory smoke and oven-fresh baked bread.‎
B. The wonderful atmosphere makes my family feel right at home.‎
C. The atmosphere at Raymond’s is family-oriented, so parents don’t have to worry if
the kids start to cry because Raymond’s has its own clown to cheer them up.‎
Supporting idea 4: Cleanness
A. Even with hundreds of little mess makers passing through Raymond’s doors each
day, the busboys do an incredible job of keeping the dining area spotless, and this
makes each family feel like they are the first people to have eaten in the restaurant.‎
B. Raymond’s tables are always wiped to a shine, and the china and utensils are
immaculate.‎
C. Raymond’s keeps such a clean and well-organized restaurant that it makes
customers feel comfortable about eating food there.‎‎
Supporting idea 5: Prices
A. The sale prices on meals for a family are so cheap that they save any size family a
lot of money.‎
B. The price range at Raymond’s may be a little higher than at fast-food places, but
the quantity and quality of the food more than make up for the slightly higher price.‎
C. Since the average meal costs a mere $6.95, a family of four can eat dinner out and
not break its budget.‎‎
Exercise 4: The following is an outline in which two points (a & b) are ‎already provided.
Complete the outline by adding a third logical supporting point (c).‎
‎1. Success in college can be attributed to several reasons.‎
a. Regularly attend classes
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b. Devote enough time to studying
c. ........................................................................................................................
‎ ‎
Exercise 5: Generate ideas for supporting the topic sentence using the outline below.‎
Topic sentence: This writing course I am taking can be challenging for many reasons.‎
I. Supporting idea 1: ‎‎. .................................................................................................
Details: ...............................
‎ .................................................‎.......................................
II. Supporting idea 2:‎........................................................................................‎.........‎
Details: ..............................................................................................................
‎ ‎.........
III. Supporting idea 3: .......................................................................................
‎ ‎.......
Details: .......................
‎ .‎...............................................................................................‎
Exercise 6: Write a paragraph based on the outline above.
Exercise 7: Write effective supporting sentences using the different points and examples ‎provided
to develop the topic sentence into a paragraph.
‎Facebook.com is an important part of my life.‎
a. Keep in touch with friends and family.
b. Share life’s ups and downs.
c. Study with my peers online.
Exercise 8: Provide supporting sentences to develop each topic sentence into a paragraph‎.
A. Advertisements are often misleading for many reasons. ‎
1. …………………………………………………………………………………
2.‎‎…………………………………………………………………………………
3. ‎…………………………………………………………………………………
B. There are several effective ways of improving one’s skills in English. ‎
1. …………………………………………………………………………………
2.‎‎…………………………………………………………………………………
3. ‎…………………………………………………………………………………
C. Speaking fluent English offers many advantages.
1. …………………………………………………………………………………
2.‎‎…………………………………………………………………………………
3. ‎…………………………………………………………………………………
Exercise 9: The following paragraph includes a topic sentence and a concluding ‎sentence.
Provide supporting sentences.‎
Travelling has several advantages. ……………………………………………
……………………...……………………………………………………………...
…………………………………‎‎……………………….…………………………
…‎‎All these advantages make travelling very beneficial. ‎