OVERVIEW OF

PARAGRAPH
SESSION 1
 IELTS WRITING:
CLAUSES

SENTENCES

PARAGRAPHS

ESSAYS

TASK 1 TASK 2
(20 minutes) – 150 words (40 minutes) – 250 words
PARAGRAPH?

- A group of related sentences

- Discuss one main idea
 The topic sentence

Three parts
of a Supporting sentences
Paragraph

The concluding
sentence
 1. Topic sentence (Câu chủ đề)
- States the main idea of the paragraph
- Not only names the topic but also limits to one specific area => controlling
idea
Example: Controlling idea
Topic Gold , a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics
Controlling idea Topic
Because of its tasty and addictive flavor, milk tea is such a great drink for
teenagers
2. Supporting sentences (Câu bổ trợ)

- Develop the topic sentence >>>

Explain or prove the topic sentence
- Give more information about the
topic
3. Concluding sentence (câu kết luận)

- Signals the end of the paragraph

- Leaves readers with important points to remember
- Needed in a stand-alone paragraph
=> No need in a longer piece of writing (an essay)
because there is already a concluding paragraph
I/ HOW TO WRITE A TOPIC SENTENCE

1/ There are three important points to remember when

you write a topic sentence.
• A topic sentence should be a complete sentence.
• A topic sentence contains both a topic and a controlling idea.
• A topic sentence is the most general statement in the paragraph
because it gives only the main idea: Neither too general nor too
specific.
POSITION OF TOPIC SENTENCE

- Usually (not always) the 1st sentence in a paragraph

II/ How to write supporting sentences?

INTRODUCE

I-E-P EXPLAIN/EXPAND
TIPS
PROVE
1/ HOW TO INTRODUCE A NEW IDEA
a/ First idea:

(1) Noun phrases:

• The first [advantage/benefit/ merit/

drawback] of ….is that clause.

Ex: The first advantage of digital cameras is that there is

no film to process.
1/ HOW TO INTRODUCE A NEW IDEA
(2) Conjunctive adverbs:

• First of all,

• Firstly,

(3) Other phrases:

• For a start,

• To start off,

• To begin with,

• Ex: To start off, we can improve our soft skills when participating in outdoor activities.
1/ HOW TO INTRODUCE A NEW IDEA

b/ Second idea

(1) Noun phrases:

• An additional [advantage/benefit/ merit/ drawback] of ….is that clause.

• Another [advantage/benefit/ merit/ drawback] of ….is that clause.

• Ex: Another drawback of owing a private car is that it is very costly.

1/ HOW TO INTRODUCE A NEW IDEA

Second idea

(2) Conjunctive adverbs:

• Secondly,

• Furthermore,

• Moreover,

• Besides,

• Additionally,

(3) Other phrases:

• In addition,

• What is more,
 1/ HOW TO INTRODUCE A NEW IDEA

c/ Last idea

(1) Noun phrases:

• The last/final [advantage/benefit/ merit/ drawback] of ….is that clause.

• Ex: The last disadvantage of students using their cell phone is that they can neglect their study.

(2) Conjunctive adverbs:

• Finally,

• Last but not least,

(3) Other phrases:

• Last but most importantly,

 2/ HOW TO EXPLAIN/ EXPAND THE IDEA

a/ Showing cause-effect:

(1) Coordinators: for, so

(2) Subordinators: Because, since, as

(3) Conjunctive adverbs: therefore, hence, consequently, thus, as a result, as a consequence,

accordingly

(4) Verbs: lead to, result in, bring about, cause

• Stem from/ arise from/ result from

(5) Other phrases: As a result of, be the result of …,

 2/ HOW TO EXPLAIN/ EXPAND THE IDEA

b/ Explaining the idea:

• That is,

• Ex: He is not good enough. That is, he can not catch up with our class

• In other words,

• To put it another way,

• To put it simply,

• Ex: What the treatment aims to do, to put it simply, is to make the skin grow back over the wound.

• This means that … Ex: Computer technology is constantly being improved. This means that the computer that you have
bought will probably be out of date in only a few months’ time.
3/ HOW TO PROVE THE IDEA

a/ Giving examples:

* Conjunctive adverbs: for example, for instance,

• Take sth for example,

Ex: Science has yet to answer some important questions. Take, for example, the theory
that the universe started with the ‘big bang’.

• Be a typical example of …
 3/ HOW TO PROVE THE IDEA

b/ Quoting people/ providing a statistics:

(1) Say: (2) Write:

• Ex: Du Bois wrote that the US was ‘a land of magnificent possibilities’.

• (3) Point out/ (3) argue/ (4) state/ (5) claim/ (6) conclude, (7) suggest, (8) report, (9) declare, (10)

• As Someone (point out/ note/ state/ remark), …..

Ex: As Rachel Carson points out in her books ‘Silent Spring’, Chemicals used in farming are having a devastating effect on our
countryside.

• According to …

Be careful when using someone, somebody, he, she

CONCLUDING SENTENCE

• Signals the end of the paragraph.

• Leaves the reader with the most important ideas to remember.

How?
• By summarizing the main points of the paragraph
OR
• By repeating the topic sentence in different words
CONCLUDING SENTENCE

NOTE:
A paragraph does not always need a concluding sentence. For single paragraphs,
especially long ones, a concluding sentence is helpful to the reader because it is a
reminder of the important points. However, a concluding sentence is not needed
for every paragraph in a multiparagraph essay.
III/ How to write a concluding sentence:

SIGNAL

3 PARTS SUMMARY
Suggestion

FINAL MESSAGE Advice

(OPTIONAL)

Solution
SIGNALS

FORMAL (FOLLOWED BY A INFORMAL EXPRESSIONS (NOT

COMMA) FOLLOWED BY A COMMA)
• In summary, • The evidence suggests that
• In short,
• There can be no doubt that
• In conclusion,
• These examples show that
• In brief,
• We can see that ...
• Indeed,
• To sum up,
 2/ SUMMARY:

• This sentence is used to summarize the main points you have mentioned before.
Therefore, it can be said that the topic sentence can be rewritten in another
way in this summary.

• Ex: Topic sentence: It seems to me that students should be encouraged to

study by themselves for its benefits.

• Summary: In conclusion, no one can deny the profits of self-study for learners.
OPINION PARAGRAPH
OPINION PARAGRAPH:
FACTS VS OPINIONS
STRUCTURE

1. Topic sentence: State your opinion

2. Supporting sentences
1. Idea 1: Details, explanation, evidence
2. Idea 2: Details, explanation, evidence
3. Idea 3: Details, explanation, evidence
…

3. Concluding sentence: Restate your opinion

 EXPRESSION OF OPINIONS

• Using modal auxiliaries

EXPRESSION OF OPINIONS

• Cause and effect

Ex:
-We should develop electric cars, since petrol is becoming scarce and expensive
-Because petrol is becoming scarce and expensive, we should develop electric cars
-Petrol is becoming scarce and expensive, so we should develop electric cars
-Petrol is becoming scarce and expensive. Therefore, we should develop electric
cars
USEFUL EXPRESSIONS TO GIVE
OPINIONS:
YOUR OPINION:

• (1) Be of the opinion that…/ Take the view that…: to have a particular
opinion.These are formal phrases.

• Ex: I am of the opinion that learning a foreign language provides learners with a
big number of benefits.

• (2) I strongly approve of the opinion that ….

USEFUL EXPRESSIONS TO GIVE
OPINIONS:
• YOUR OPINION:

• (3) I support the view that …

• (4) It seems to me that ….:

• used when saying that you think that something is probably true. You use this especially when
you have considered a situation carefully and want to give your overall opinion about it.

• Ex: It seems to me that there is some truth in her argument.

3/ USEFUL EXPRESSIONS TO GIVE
OPINIONS:
• OTHER’S OPINIONS:

• (1) There is no doubt/ no denying/ no question that: …

• Ex:There’s no denying that this has been a difficult year for the company.

• (2) It is indisputable that…: không thể cãi được

• Ex: It is indisputable that the Internet plays an essential role in people’s life today.
 3/ USEFUL EXPRESSIONS TO GIVE
OPINIONS:
• OTHER’S OPINIONS:

• (3) It is undeniable that …: không thể phủ nhận rằng…

• (4) It is widely acknowledged that… hầu hết người ta đều công nhận rằng

• Ex: It is widely acknowledged that modern technology makes our world more connected and entertaining than
ever before.

• (5) It is commonly believed that …: hầu hết người ta đều tin rằng…

• Ex: It is commonly believed that education offers us more opportunities to get higher salaries and a better life.
OTHER EXPRESSIONS

I believe/ think/ feel that… Tôi tin/ nghĩ/ cảm thấy rằng…

I strongly/ firmly believe that… Tôi tin tưởng chắc chắn rằng…

In my opinion/ view,… Theo quan điểm/ cách nhìn của tôi thì…

I am totally against… Tôi hoàn toàn phản đối…

My opinion is that… Quan điểm của tôi là…

I (do not) agree with/ that… Tôi (không) đồng ý với việc/ rằng….

As far as I cam concerned,… Theo những gì tôi được biết thì…

I completely/ totally agree/ disagree with/ that… Tôi hoàn toàn đồng ý/ không đồng ý với/ rằng…

I strongly disagree with/ that… Tôi cực kỳ không đồng tình với/ rằng…

It seems/ appears to me that… Đối với tôi thì có vẻ như….

I could not agree/ disagree more with/ that…. Tôi hoàn toàn đồng ý/ không đồng ý với/ rằng…
PRACTICE

Write an opinion paragraph to support the following

statement:
Modern technology has brought about a lot of
disadvantages
Word count: 150-200
HOMEWORK

Write an opinion paragraph to support the following

statement:
Modern technology has brought about a lot of
disadvantages
Word count: 150-200
Deadline: 2 days before next session
• Some people think that newspapers are the best
way to get news. However, others believe that
they can get news better through other media
platforms. Discuss both views and give your
opinion. (Đề thi)