PARAGRAPH

STRUCTURE
WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?
- A group of related sentences
- Normally discuss one and only one main idea
- Should be long enough to develop main idea clearly
- Might be a part of longer piece of writing (e.g. essay, book…)
FOUR FEATURES OF A PARAGRAPH
1. A paragraph has a topic sentence that states the main idea.
2. All of the sentences in a paragraph are about one topic.
3. The first line of a paragraph is indented
4. The last sentence, or concluding sentence, brings the paragraph to a logical
conclusion
THE THREE
PARTS -
-
Topic sentence
Supporting sentences
- Concluding sentence
THE TOPIC
SENTENCE
FEATURES OF A GOOD TOPIC SENTENCE
- It controls or guide the whole paragraph and states the main idea of the
paragraph
● Libraries have books.
● Tea is delicious.
● This monolingual dictionary contains more than 42,000 words.
● Libraries have books
=> not a general fact
● Tea is delicious
=> too general => “Green tea has many health benefits.”
● This monolingual dictionary contains more than 42,000 words
=> too specific
- A topic sentence contains both a topic and a controlling idea. It names the
topic and then limits the topic to a specific area to be discussed in a single
paragraph.
● Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness.
● Registering for college classes can be a frustrating experience for new students.
● The rise of indie films is due to several factors.
Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important
characteristics.
 Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important
characteristics.

Topic
 Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important
characteristics.

Topic
Controlling
idea
POSITION OF TOPIC SENTENCES
- Usually (but not always) the first sentence in a paragraph
- The best spot is usually right at the beginning
 SYNONYMS

Synonyms, words that have the same basic meaning, do not always have the
same emotional meaning. For example, the word stingy and frugal both mean
“careful with money”. However, calling someone stingy is an insult, but calling
someone frugal is a compliment. Similarly, a person wants to be slender but not
skinny, aggressive but not pushy. Therefore, you should be careful in choosing
words because many so-called synonyms are not really synonymous at all.
 SYNONYMS

Synonyms, words that have the same basic meaning, do not always have the
same emotional meaning. For example, the word stingy and frugal both mean
“careful with money”. However, calling someone stingy is an insult, but calling
someone frugal is a compliment. Similarly, a person wants to be slender but not
skinny, aggressive but not pushy. Therefore, you should be careful in choosing
words because many so-called synonyms are not really synonymous at all.
 Medical Miracles to Come

By the year 2009, a vaccine against the common cold will have been developed.
By the same year, the first human will have been successfully cloned. By the year
2014, parents will be able to create designer children. Genetic therapy will be able
to manipulate genes for abilities, intelligence, and hair, eye, and skin color. By
2020, most diseases will be able to diagnosed and treated at home, and by 2030,
cancer and heart disease will have been wiped out. There are just a few examples
of the medical miracles that are expected in the next few decades.
 Medical Miracles to Come

By the year 2009, a vaccine against the common cold will have been developed.
By the same year, the first human will have been successfully cloned. By the year
2014, parents will be able to create designer children. Genetic therapy will be able
to manipulate genes for abilities, intelligence, and hair, eye, and skin color. By
2020, most diseases will be able to diagnosed and treated at home, and by 2030,
cancer and heart disease will have been wiped out. There are just a few examples
of the medical miracles that are expected in the next few decades.