MOST ESSENTIAL LEARNING COMPETENCY: Composing an Effective Paragraphs

(EN8WC-IIa-2.8)
I. OBJECTIVES
At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:
A. identify the structure of a paragraph;
B. develop mastery in organizing details of a paragraph in terms of the elements
of unity and coherence; and
C. compose an effective paragraph.

II. CONTENT
Exercise Program: Compose Effective Paragraphs

III. LEARNING RESOURCES

A. REFERENCE
1. ENGLISH Quarter 4-Module 4 Compose Effective Paragraphs
2. https://youtu.be/QRAOXNzyllo

B. OTHER LEARNING RESOURCE

1. Visual Aid/ PowerPoint Presentation

TEACHER’S ACTIVITY LEARNERS’ ACTIVITIES

A. PRELIMINARIES
1. Prayer
2. Checking of Attendance

B. REVIEW THE PREVIOUS LESSON

In your previous lesson, you were able to
synthesize essential information found in
various sources. In synthesizing information,
you had written words, phrases, clauses, and
sentences that form a paragraph.
Directions: Read the selection below. Write a
Please read the direction. Yes? synthesis in paragraph form on a separate
sheet of paper.

“It has been suggested that the term “learning” defies precise definition because it is put to
multiple uses. Learning is used to refer to (1) the acquisition and mastery of what is already
known about something, (2) the extension and clarification of meaning of one’s experience, or
(3) an organized, intentional process of testing ideas relevant to problems. In other words, it
is used to describe a product, a process, or a function.”
–From Learning How to Learn: Applied Theory for Adults by R. Smith

Guide questions:
1. What are the similarities of the definitions given?
2. What are their differences?
3. What significant understanding have you learned from the definitions?
C. MOTIVATION

Good morning class! Good morning, sir!

Are you ready to learn today? Yes, sir!

I have here four sentences. Please rearrange

them to make a paragraph. Then give it a
good title. Start with the sentence – It is
enjoyable to make lemonade, even though it
is easy to buy it at the store. Write your
answer on a separate sheet of paper.

Then, add some sugar and stir it. Next, put some water in a pitcher and
add the lemon juice.

Finally, pour it in a cup, add a straw and First, slice the lemons in half, squeeze
enjoy. the lemon to get the juice out.

How did you find the activity? (answer may vary)

How were you able to arrange the sentences We arranged it chronological order (first,
to form a paragraph? next, then and finally)

Now, you are ready to get on the next phase

of your search for knowledge as we along on
our class this morning.

Our lesson this morning is all about Compose

Effective Paragraphs.

At the end of the lesson, the students are

expected to:
A. identify the structure of a paragraph;
B. develop mastery in organizing details of
a paragraph in terms of the elements of
unity and coherence; and
C. compose an effective paragraph.

D. DISCUSSION

Paragraph writing can sometimes be a

difficult task, especially if you don’t know
what to write, because there are too many
topics to choose from or you just don’t have
enough knowledge about the topic you are
writing.

To fully understand, let’s define the word

paragraph.

Please read. Yes? Paragraph

“In its simplest and most basic form, a
paragraph is a group of sentences about one
topic. Paragraphs are the fundamental
building blocks of texts. Their purpose is to
inform, give an opinion, state facts or
explain. An effective paragraph is logical and
well-structured and clear” (Courtald, 2008).
A paragraph is a unit of composition that
establishes oneness because it develops a
Thank you. central and main idea on its structure. The
Paragraphs provide structure and flow to entire paragraph must be unified on its
your text. They allow you to move from one structure and all sentences within the
thought to another. When you start a new paragraph should focus on the topic
paragraph, you are telling your reader that sentence.
the topic is over and you are moving on.
Without this structure, your brilliant ideas
and your sound argumentation will be
difficult to follow.

What are the structure of a paragraph?

Structure of a Paragraph
Structure is vital in paragraph writing. It is
an arrangement of sentences within a
In a good paragraph, every sentence plays a paragraph.
role. Notice the role of each sentence in the An effective paragraph starts with the topic
paragraph that follows. sentence, the details which compose of three
(3) to five (5) or more sentences and then the
closing sentence.
 TOPIC SENTENCE Towards One Asia
STATES THE MAIN IDEA Historic changes in Asia brought dramatic and sometimes
tragic events in the quest for a peaceful and independent life.
Even today, in the international relations of the states in the
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
PROVIDES A STRONG multi-faceted Asian continent, we see the interaction,
interlacing, and clashing of diverse factors – historical,
political, socio- economic, cultural and psychological. We are
SUPPORTING DETAILS aware of the complex problems which the Asian people have
DEVELOP MAIN IDEA inherited from both the distant and the recent past. Among
these are the gaps in the levels of economic development of the
various countries on the continent, the independent status of
many of them in the system of the world’s capitalist economy,
territorial disputes, religious contradictions, ethnic differences,
among others. These complicated problems become more acute
because of acts of subversion of forces hostile to the peace and
freedom of Asian Nations. As a result, instability still prevails
in the Asian region
As you can see in the illustration, there are Topic sentence
three main parts: topic sentence, supporting A topic sentence states the main idea of
details and concluding sentence. the paragraph.
First let’s discuss the topic sentence. Please Because it states the main idea, a topic
read. Yes? sentence is usually more general than the
sentences that develop the idea. In the
following example, the main idea is general
enough for the supporting details to support
it. At the same time, the main idea is specific
enough to be developed adequately in one
Thank you. It often appears as the first or paragraph.
second sentences of a paragraph and rarely
appear at the end of the paragraph. Please The Heavy Task of Fighting Fires
read the example. Yes? Fighting a major fire takes a
tremendous strength and endurance. The
protective clothing that a fire fighter wears
into a burning building will weigh more than
20 pounds. To protect himself from the
smoke, the fire fighter will usually wear an
oxygen tank and mask. These self- contained
breathing units may weigh as much as 50
pounds. The weight of the hose and other
tools that the fire fighter carries will raise the
As the example shows, the topic sentence is total weight to more than 100 pounds.
general enough to cover all the details yet
specific enough to develop adequately in one
paragraph.

Now, let’s proceed to Supporting Details.

Please read.
 Supporting Details
Supporting details explain the topic
sentence by giving specific details, facts,
examples, or reasons.
The following topic sentence begins a
paragraph about firefighting that takes a
Readers will naturally wonder, “What were tremendous strength and endurance.
the reasons that firefighting takes a Fighting a major fire takes a
tremendous strength and endurance?” The tremendous strength and endurance.
supporting sentences answer the question.
Please read the example. Yes?

The protective clothing that a fire

fighter wears into a burning building will
When you write supporting sentences, think weigh more than 20 pounds. To protect
of the questions that readers might ask and himself from the smoke, the fire fighter will
answer those questions. usually wear an oxygen tank and mask.
These self- contained breathing units may
And let’s proceed to the last part of the
weigh as much as 50 pounds.
paragraph. Please read. Yes?

A concluding sentence recalls the main idea

and adds a strong ending to a paragraph.

There are strategies for ending a paragraph.

Please read.

Concluding Sentence
A one- paragraph composition often
needs a concluding sentence to summarize
Avoid making your concluding sentence too the ideas presented in the paragraph.
repetitive or oversimplified. Please read the
example. Yes?
Strategies for Ending a Paragraph
1. Restate the main idea using different
words.
2. Summarize the paragraph.
3. Add an insight about the main idea.
4. Express how you feel about the subject.

Fighting a major fire takes a

The example paragraph has a strong ending
tremendous strength and endurance. The
and creates more meaning to the paragraph protective clothing that a fire fighter wears
as a whole. into a burning building will weigh more than
20 pounds. To protect himself from the
Alright, now that we learn about the parts of smoke, the fire fighter will usually wear an
a paragraph, let’s proceed to the Key oxygen tank and mask. These self- contained
elements of an Effective Paragraph: unity and breathing units may weigh as much as 50
coherence. pounds. The weight of the hose and other
tools that the fire fighter carries will raise the
total weight to more than 100 pounds.
Please read the unity. Yes?
Unity in paragraph means that the
The paragraph should be unified, so there’s entire paragraph should focus on one single
no confusion in the idea. Next is coherence. idea. The supporting details should explain
Please read. Yes? the main idea and the concluding sentence
should end the paragraph with the same
There are several ways to arrange ideas to idea. Thus, a unified paragraph presents a
achieve coherence in a paragraph: Yes? thought, supports it with details. If it is to
achieve such focus, each succeeding sentence
must show a clear connection to the topic
idea.

Coherence is a smooth movement

from one idea to the next in a paragraph.

1. chronological order: This means that the

ideas are presented in the same order that
they occurred in time.
2. physical order: This means that the ideas,
particularly in a description, are placed in
some kind of order of space, such as left
to right, top to bottom, or outside to
A paragraph should be unified, coherent, and inside.0
well developed. Paragraphs are unified 3. order of importance: The writer can begin
around a main point and all sentences in the with the most important idea and lead to
paragraph should clearly relate to that point the least important idea.
in some way. The paragraph's main idea 4. order of climax: The writer can build
should be supported with specific suspense leading to a climax. This type of
information that develops or discusses the order is similar to the order of importance
main idea in greater detail. in that the climax (the most important
idea) is put last.
Whatever order the writer chooses, it is
important that the sentences in the paragraph
be arranged in a logical sequence, so that one
idea follows another. The chart provides
examples of transition words which can
express each of these types of arrangement.
Type of Examples
Arrangement
Time then before next
afterwards later eventually
now meanwhile
 Physical Order to the right to the left in the distance
above below straight ahead
under beside
Order of more importantly to some degree to a lesser
Importance extent
Similar Ideas in addition similarly also
moreover likewise and
Different Ideas on the other hand but on the contrary
otherwise however still
Conclusion therefore thus hence

These are only some of the many transition or

connecting words available in English.
E. APPLICATION
Now that you have learned the parts of Read and analyze the paragraph below.
paragraph, let’s have an activity. Please read Determine its different parts.
the direction.
The virus that causes COVID- 19 is in the family of viruses called Coronavidae.
Antibiotics do not work against viruses. Some people who become ill with COVID-19 can
also develop a bacterial infection as a complication. In this case, antibiotics may be
recommended by a health care provider. There is currently no licensed medication to cure
COVID19.
-World Health
Organization
What is the topic sentence? Yes? The virus that causes COVID- 19 is in the
family of viruses called Coronavidae.

That right. How about the supporting Antibiotics do not work against viruses.
details? Please read. Yes? Some people who become ill with COVID-19
can also develop a bacterial infection as a
complication. In this case, antibiotics may be
recommended by a health care provider.

There is currently no licensed medication to

Correct. And finally, the concluding sentence. cure COVID19.
Yes?

Well done!
F. GENERALIZATION
Who can share to the class the things that you We learn about writing an effective
learned with today’s lesson? paragraph.

Very good. What is a paragraph again? a paragraph is a group of sentences about

one topic.

Very good! What are 3 main parts of Topic sentence, supporting details and
paragraph? concluding sentence.
Well done. Where is the topic sentence In the first sentence of the paragraph.
placed? Yes?

That right. What else did you learn today? An effective a paragraph should be unified
(unity) and coherent (coherence).

Correct. A paragraph should be unified,

coherent, and well developed.

G. EVALUATION

EXERCISE FOR UNITY

Directions: The topic sentence for a paragraph is given below, followed by a number of details.
Decide which should be included in a paragraph which uses the given topic sentence. Write the
letter of your choice on a separate sheet of paper.

TOPIC SENTENCE: On the bus next to me sat the strangest looking person I have ever seen.

DETAILS:
a) She carried a large shopping bag loaded with fireworks and another one with groceries.
b) She had long, red hair which stood up all over her head.
c) As she breathed in and out, she gasped for air.
d) She looked like she was over a hundred years old.
e) Her orange and green floor-length dress had long sleeves, but it was ripped and
tattered.
f) She looked like she was enjoying the ride on the bus.
g) She got on the bus at Maple Street and got off at Simcoe Hall.
h) Her cheeks were sunken and pale.
i) She had a wart on her chin and the wart was covered with hairs.
j) She stared straight ahead and did not say a word.

EXERCISE FOR COHERENCE

Directions: The topic sentence for a paragraph is given below, followed by a number of details.
Decide the order in which the details should appear in the paragraph. Write your answer on a
separate sheet of paper.

TOPIC SENTENCE: On the bus next to me sat the strangest looking person I have ever seen.

DETAILS:

1. She carried a large shopping bag loaded with fireworks and another one with groceries.
2. She had long, red hair which stood up all over her head.
3. As she breathed in and out, she gasped for air.
4. She looked like she was over a hundred years old.
5. Her orange and green floor-length dress had long sleeves, but it was ripped and tattered.
6. Her cheeks were sunken and pale.
7. She had a wart on her chin and the wart was covered with hairs.
 8. She stared straight ahead and did not say a word.

H. ASSIGNMENT

Directions: Now it is time for you to write what is in your mind. Summarize what you have
learned from the lesson by completing the following sentences to form a paragraph. Write your
answer on a separate sheet of paper.

An Effective Paragraph

A paragraph is _______________________________________________________. It has

________________, __________________________, and __________________that all relate closely
to the main idea. There are two essential elements of an effective paragraph which are unity and
coherence. In order to achieve unity, a writer should make sure that
________________________________________________. Likewise, coherence can be achieved
when there is ________________________. Thus, an effective paragraph
_________________________________________________.

I. REMARKS

J. REFLECTION

Prepared by:

DENOR C. TORRES
Teacher Applicant