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Writing Paragraphs

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42 views8 pages

Writing Paragraphs

Luyện viết đoạn

Uploaded by

Teaching Stuff
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NC2 SESSION 5 STOP & LOOK 1

I. WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?

A paragraph is a group of about 6-12 sentences about one topic. Every sentence in a strong paragraph
is about the same topic. All of the sentences explain the writer's main idea (most important idea) about
that topic. When the writer wants to write about a new main idea, he / she begins a new paragraph.

A paragraph can give information, tell an opinion, explain something, or even tell a short story. The
sentences are arranged logically, so the reader can easily understand what the writer wants to say.

In academic writing, a paragraph has a topic sentence that directly tells the reader the main idea. The
other sentences in the paragraph, called supporting sentences, give more information about the topic.
They add specific details and explanations. In academic English, the topic sentence is usually (but not
always!) first or last.

Exercise 1: Work with a partner. Read the groups of sentences below. Circle the letters of the strong
paragraphs. If you think the sentences make a weak paragraph, say why. Choose one or more of these
reasons:
• The sentences are not all about the same topic.
• There are not enough sentences.
• There is no topic sentence.
• Some sentences say the same thing.

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NC2 SESSION 5 STOP & LOOK 1

Exercise 2:

1. Read this paragraph about a student's first job on the next page. What is the topic?
a) Working in a laboratory
b) Getting my first job
c) What my first job taught me
2. Cross out the sentences that are not connected to the topic.
3. Which additional sentences could be connected to the paragraph? Write C (connected) or U
(unconnected).
a) _____ I answered the phone and opened the mail.
b) _____On weekdays I did my homework for school.
c) _____I once worked delivering pizza, too.
d) _____I learned how to choose and order new clothing.
e) _____ Dressing neatly and professionally was an important part of the job.
f) _____ A lab assistant is a good job for me.
g) _____ In the future, I would like to take some business trips.

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NC2 SESSION 5 STOP & LOOK 1

Exercise 3: Look at these sentences for a paragraph about having a part-time job in high school. Cross
out the ones that are not connected. On a separate sheet of paper, write a paragraph using the
connected sentences. They are already in the right order but are not yet correctly punctuated.

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NC2 SESSION 5 STOP & LOOK 1
II. WRITING A TOPIC SENTENCE

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NC2 SESSION 5 STOP & LOOK 1
Exercise 4: Look at these topic sentences. Circle the topic of the sentence. Underline the main idea.
a. My sister is my best friend.
b. Snowboarding is my favorite winter sport.
c. The last CD I bought changed my life.
d. There are three reasons why my cell phone is useful.
e. Reading novels, such as the Harry Potter stories, can help students improve their English.
f. My part-time job taught me several new skills.
g. Disneyland was a great place for our family vacation.

Exercise 5: Look again at the paragraph A Birthday Present. Which sentence is the topic sentence?
Circle the topic and underline the main idea.

Exercise 6: In the following pairs, circle the number of the best topic sentence. Then explain your
choice to a partner. Say why the sentence you didn't choose is weak. Use one or more of these
reasons:

• It's too broad.


• It's too narrow.
• There is no main idea or opinion.
• There is more than one main idea.

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NC2 SESSION 5 STOP & LOOK 1
III. USE WORD MAPS TO BRAINSTORM

Jack Collins
Jack Collins is the most amazing person I have ever met. 2. He came to my school
1.

and talked about his difficult life in prison. 3. He was in prison for 15 years. 4. He made
a lot of mistakes when he was young, but now he has changed his life. 5. He saw a lot
of violence in prison, so he uses his experience to help high school + students. 6. Jack
is tall and strong. 7. He also looks a little scary because he has some spider tattoos.
8.
The thing I remember most is his sensitive personality. 9. He really wants to help
young people. 10. I've never met anyone like Jack before.

This is the word map for the above paragraph. Notice which idea the writer kept and which one
he/she crossed out.

Exercise 7: On a separate sheet of paper, make a word map for one of the topics below.

• Use plenty of descriptive adjectives.


• Share your word map with a partner.
• How many descriptive adjectives did your partner use?
a. A relative
b. A teacher who helped me
c. A movie / music star

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NC2 SESSION 5 STOP & LOOK 1
IV. CONCLUDING SENTENCES

A good paragraph has a clear topic sentence and supporting sentences that explain and support
the topic sentence. Many (but not all) paragraphs also have a concluding sentence. The
concluding sentence closes the paragraph.
A concluding sentence can
• restate the topic sentence.
• summarize the main idea of the paragraph.
• make a prediction connected to the paragraph's topic.
• make a suggestion or give advice connected to the topic.
A concluding sentence does not state a completely new idea.

Exercise 8: Read these concluding sentences for the paragraph Jack Collins, and decide if they 1
(restate), 2 (summarize), 3 (predict) or 4 (suggest or advise).

a. I've never met anyone like Jack before.


b. I think Jack will help many teenagers stay out of prison.
c. Everyone should talk to someone who has been to prison.
d. Jack's experiences, appearance, and personality make him very memorable.

Exercise 9: Decide which sentence could NOT be a concluding sentence for the paragraph My Best
Friend's Grandfather. Copy the sentence you like best into the paragraph.

1. My best friend's grandfather is a wonderful storyteller.


2. My best friend's grandfather is a good example for me.
3. My best friend's grandfather never went to college.
4. I think all teenagers should listen to their grandparents' stories.

Exercise 10: Match the topic sentence on the left to the concluding sentence on the right. Then
choose one of the pairs of sentences and make a word map about the topic. Use your imagination.

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NC2 SESSION 5 STOP & LOOK 1

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