Paragraph

Writing

Aj.Sumana Sorathiwa
International Business Management
 Instructions:
1. Free-Writing: This is a free-writing exercise. Write anything
that comes to your mind about your future self. There are no
rules about how to write or what to include.
2. Topics to Consider:
Your Personal Life
Career
Living Situation
Achievements
Relationship
3. Be Creative: Use your imagination. There are no right or wrong
answers. Just let your ideas flow.
 Your story
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 Sentences
and Paragraphs
Paragraph organization
formatting a paragraph
unity and coherence in a paragraph
Exercise 1 Thinking about the topic. Discuss the pictures with a
partner. Look at the people writing.

What kind of writing is each person doing?

__________________________________________________________________________
Are they writing for others or for themselves?
__________________________________________________________________________
What other kinds of writing can you think of?
__________________________________________________________________________
What kind of writing do you usually do?
__________________________________________________________________________
The Paragraph

A paragraph is a group of sentences about a topic. In this book,

you will learn how to organize and write the following kinds of
paragraphs.

In a ________________________ the writer describes a person, a

place, or a thing.
In a _________________________ the writer explains a topic by
giving examples
In a __________________________ the writer explains how to do
something step by step.
The Paragraph

A paragraph is a group of sentences about a topic. In this book,

you will learn how to organize and write the following kinds of
paragraphs.

In a ________________________ the writer expresses his or her

feelings, ideas, and opinions about the topic.

In a _________________________ the writer tells a story.

Formatting a Paragraph
Margins
A paragraph must have a margin on the right and a margin on the
left. This means that the paragraph begins 1 inch or 1 1/4 inches
from the edge of the paper.
Spacing
A paragraph should be double-spaced.
Indenting
The first sentence of a paragraph must be indented. This means
that it begins five spaces in from the left margin. Indenting shows
the reader that a new paragraph is beginning. On a computer, you
can indent with the Tab key.
Formatting a Paragraph

Connected Sentences
The sentences in a paragraph should follow each other. It is not a
paragraph if every sentence begins on a new line. A well-
supported paragraph has at least 5 sentences and often more.

Title
A paragraph by itself usually has a title. This is one word or a
group of words that tells what the topic is.
Exercise 2: Identifying the elements of a paragraph
Read the paragraph. Then label the formatting elements of the paragraph.
Use the words in the box.
a. margin b. double spacing c. indent d.title

Red
I love the color red. No other color symbolizes so many
different emotions and experiences. Life would be very boring
without the color red. Fires would not burn in the same way.
The sunset would not be interesting, and blood would not be so
surprisingly beautiful. Red is powerful when it appears in
nature, and it is also powerful when it appears in our emotions.
Red is love. Red is anger. Red is beauty. I like to live life in a
strong way, so I think I will always admire the color red.
Developing a Paragraph
Paragraph Organization
A typical paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting sentences,
and a concluding sentence.

The ____________________ introduces the topic and tells what the

writer will say about the topic.
The sentences that follow further explain and support the
topic sentence. They are called ____________________.
The ____________________ often repeats the information in the
topic sentence in a different way.
Exercise: Read the paragraph below and note the topic sentence, supporting sentences,
and concluding sentence. What was it that scared the barefoot boy?

Barefoot Boy
I had a scary experience when I was a young boy. One evening while my
parents were eating dinner, I was playing barefoot in the yard with my toys.
Even now I still remember the perfume of the flowers and the moisture of the
grass. While I was sitting on the grass and playing with a truck, I looked up at
the sky, and my attention was distracted by the beauty of the stars. Then I
felt something cold and smooth slide over my feet. I stayed perfectly still,
but I looked down at my feet. Then I saw a snake slowly slithering over my
toes. I felt terrible and afraid, so my heart beat very fast. After the snake
moved away, I screamed to my parents for help, and they captured the snake
and took it away. The experience frightened me, and I never went outside
barefoot again.
Analyzing the student paragraph
Examine the organization of the paragraph by answering the
questions.
What is the topic sentence? Write it below.
_________________________________________________________________
How many supporting sentences are there? _________
In your opinion, do the supporting sentences explain the topic
sentence? _____________
Write the concluding sentence below.
_________________________________________________________________
Does the concluding sentence repeat the information in the
topic sentence in a new way? _____________
The Topic Sentence
The topic sentence is usually the first or second sentence in a
paragraph. It introduces a new idea. It presents the topic and explains
what the writer will say about the topic. This explanation is called the
controlling idea.
Read the following topic sentences. In each one, the topic is my friend.
The controlling ideas explain what the writer will say about the topic.
These controlling ideas tell the reader what to expect in the supporting
sentences. topic controlling idea

My friend is an honest person.

My friend is the funniest person I know.
My friend has a terribly dangerous job.
A topic sentence must not be a simple fact or a specific detail. The
controlling idea must say something about the topic that can then be
supported, developed, or demonstrated in the supporting sentences. The
controlling idea must also not be too general, or the topic sentence will be
unclear.

A surprise party is a kind of party. (too general)

There were 14 guests at my surprise birthday party. (too specific)
My classmates gave me an unforgettable surprise party for my 18th
birthday.

The last topic sentence is effective because it introduces the topic and has
a controlling idea that can be developed in the supporting sentences. The
paragraph will probably tell the story of the party.
Exercise 3: Identifying topics and controlling ideas
In each topic sentence below, circle the topic and underline the
controlling idea.
1. Hiking is the best way to explore nature closely.
2. My uncle had a frightening experience as a young man.
3. Text messaging has become popular among teenagers.
4. Effective time management requires four easy steps.
5. Every college student should take a computer course.
Exercise 4: Identifying effective topic sentences
In each sentence below, circle the topic and underline the controlling
idea. If the sentence does not contain an effective controlling idea, write
an X in the blank. For the effective topic sentences, write what you think
the supporting sentences will be about.
1. ______ My doctor is very kind to his patients.
The writer will give examples of ways in which his doctor is kind to patients.
2. ______ Fried rice is easy to prepare if you follow some simple steps.
_________________________________________________________________
3. ______ I am going to write about my country.
_________________________________________________________________
4. ______ I had an adventure in the jungle last year.
_________________________________________________________________
5. ______ Video games are not bad for children.
_________________________________________________________________
Exercise 5: Writing topic sentences
Use each word or phrase below to write a topic sentence with a
controlling idea. Then share your sentences with a partner.

1. Pets
_________Pets are good companions for older people._________
2. A first date
_________________________________________________________________
3. A terrible teacher
_________________________________________________________________
4. Tennis
_________________________________________________________________
Supporting Sentences
Supporting sentences add information about the topic and the
controlling idea. Supporting sentences can include definitions,
explanations, and examples. Read the topic sentence below. Then
study the types of supporting sentences that might follow it.
topic controlling idea

Young people are too dependent on computers.

Supporting definition
Dependency on computers means that young people cannot
perform the normal tasks and functions of daily life without them.
Supporting explanation
In the old days, people memorized important information, but today's
youth rely on their computers, cell phones, and PDA's to do
assignments, record numbers, and save important information. As a
result, they can find themselves unprepared in an emergency such as
an electrical blackout. Once their batteries die, these people will not
be able communicate.

Supporting example
For example, I do all my schoolwork on my computer. When my
computer crashed last week, I lost my only draft of an essay that was
due the next day. As a result, I got a bad grade.
Exercise 6: Identifying topic sentences and supporting sentences
For each set of sentences, write TS next to the topic sentence. Write SS
next to the supporting sentences.

1. __SS__ a. Mosquitoes are attracted to heat.

__SS__ b. Mosquitoes will fly several miles to find food.
__SS__ c. Only the female mosquito bites.
__TS__ d. Mosquitoes are interesting insects.

2. ______ a. One of my hobbies is listening to international music.

______ b. I have a large collection of world music recordings.
______ c. My friends and I like to introduce each other to new international artists
we discover.
______ d. I enjoy going to concerts by musicians from different countries.
3. ______ a. I like the way people decorate their homes and stores.
______ b. I enjoy going shopping in cold weather.
______ c. I enjoy the parties and celebrations of the winter holiday.
______ d. I really like the winter holidays.

4. ______ a. My new apartment has big closets.

______ b. My new apartment is perfect for my roommate and me.
______ c. My new apartment is close to school and work.
______ d. My new apartment is not too expensive for students.
 In addition to restating the main idea, the
concluding sentence may:
The Concluding Sentence ㆍwarn the reader.
The concluding, or final, sentence of a If you do not follow these steps, you may not
paragraph usually reminds the reader of get the grade that you want.
the topic and controlling idea of the ㆍmake a prediction.
paragraph. The concluding sentence The automotive industry will change, and
soon everyone will be driving
restates the main idea.
pollution-free cars.
ㆍgive an opinion about the topic.
Topic sentence
Some people might disagree, but I think lamb
I love the color red.
is the best meat for grilling.
Concluding sentence
Sometimes writers signal the concluding
I like to live life in a strong way, so I think I
sentence by using the phrase In conclusion.
will always admire the color red.
In conclusion, learning a second language
has many advantages.
Exercise 7: Identifying supporting sentences and concluding sentences
Read the topic sentences below. Write SS next to the three supporting
sentences and write CS next to the concluding sentence.

1. The best way to see San Francisco is by walking.

__CS__ a. When you explore San Francisco by foot, you can experience all the
city has to offer.
__SS__ b. When you walk, you experience the different smells of the restaurants,
the plants and sometimes the ocean.
__SS__ c. You can stop and look in the windows of shops or sit on a bench for a
short while and look at interesting people.
__SS__ d. In a car or a bus, you cannot stop easily if you see something
interesting because parking is difficult.
2. An egg taco takes only five minutes to make.
______ a. Your delicious egg taco is ready to eat in just a few minutes.
______ b. Heat a flour tortilla in a small amount of water.
______ c. Scramble เwo eggs with a litle salt and pepper.
______ d. When the eggs are done, slide them into the warin tortilla and fold it over.

3. My paper is late because something happened to my computer.

______ a. I was almost finished writing my paper, and I was checking it for errors.
______ b. Suddenly, my computer screen went blank, and the power was gone.
______ c. The accident made me lose many hours of work, so I could not turn in my essay on
time.
______ d. Later, I learned that a squirrel got on the power line and disrupted the electricity.

4. I enjoy the riverwalks in San Antonio.

______ a. The riverwalk is lower than the streets of the city.
______ b. You can walk down stairs to a canal with a stone path and plants on each side.
______ c. There are many shops, restaurants and hotels along the path.
______ d. The riverwalk is a pleasant place to spend an afternoon or evening in San Antonio.
Exercise 8: Examining concluding sentences
Circle the word that best describes each of the concluding sentences
below.
1. If you follow these steps, you will never lose your keys again.
a. prediction b. opinion c. warning
2. Students who are not careful with credit cards can go into debt quickly.
a. prediction b. opinion c. warning
3. Venice, Italy, is the most beautiful city in the world.
a. prediction b. opinion c. warning
4. You will be able to produce a beautiful paper crane with only a little bit of practice.
a. prediction b. opinion c. warning
5. There are many reasons why movie stars make poor politicians.
a. prediction b. opinion c. warning
6. The desert is a beautiful but dangerous place to hike, so do your research and take time
to prepare carefully.
a. prediction b. opinion c. warning
 Topic sentence
PART 3 Unity and Coherence My friend Macarena is generous.
Unity within a Paragraph Supporting sentences
A paragraph must have unity. A paragraph She often lets travelers stay in her home. She
has unity when all the sentences support a has hosted many students temporarily. She
single idea. sends money to her family in Chile every
ㆍ The paragraph must have one controlling month to help them with their bills. She
idea in the topic sentence. Otherwise the always brings flowers or food to her friends
paragraph loses focus. when they are sick or have a need.
ㆍ The supporting sentences must support or Concluding sentence
explain the controlling idea with examples, Macarena is one of the most generous
details, steps, or definitions. Otherwise, the people I know. Note that all the sentences
paragraph will not be about one single idea. are about Macarena's generosity. A sentence
ㆍThe concluding sentence should restate about the way she looks or about her jol wvill
the idea in the topic sentence. Otherwise the not support the unity of the paragraph
main idea might not be clear. unless it somehow relates to Macarena's
generosity.
Exercise 1: Reading a student paragraph
Read the paragraph. Where did the pink sheep come from?
The Pink Sheep
Many years ago, a special gift came to me in an interesting way. When I was a small
boy, I enjoyed playing in my garden. One day, I found a hole in the wall of my
garden. It was near the ground, so I could not see through the hole, but I knew that
behind the wall was my neighbor's garden. Who made that hole? I felt really
interested, so I used rocks to make the hole wider. One day, when I was trying to
break through the wall, I noticed a small hand appear from the hole. The hand was
holding a rubber sheep. It was pink and it had wide eyes. I caught that rubber
sheep. Then I pushed my favorite wooden truck through the hole to give to that
child on the other side. Sometimes I bought toys with my lucky New Year money. A
long time later, when I was old enough to go out, I went around the corner to find
the child who gave me that special gift, but nobody was in that house. My neighbor
said that a girl used to live there, and she was the same age as me. I never found
her, but her gift has a special meaning for me.
Exercise 2: Analyzing a student paragraph for unity
Examine the organization of the paragraph by answering the
questions below. Then compare your answers with a partner.

1. Circle the topic and underline the controlling idea.

2. After you read the controlling idea, what did you expect the
supporting ideas to explain. Write your answer in your own words.
_________________________________________________________________
3. One sentence in the paragraph is off-topic and does not support
the unity of the paragraph. Draw a line through it.
4. Why does this sentence hurt the unity of the paragraph? Write
your explanation below.
_________________________________________________________________
Exercise 3: Recognizing unity in supporting sentences
Read the following topic sentences. Put a check ( ) next to each sentence
below that supports the topic sentence.

1. I am an organized person.
______ a. My desk is always neat and tidy.
______ b. I have a system for organizing my papers, and I can always find what I need.
______ c. I feel uncomfortable when I am in a strange environment.
______ d. My friends always want me to help them put their closets in order.

2. Twenty questions is an easy game to play when you are traveling.

______ a. The person who is "it" must think of a person, place, or object.
______ b. Sometimes people travel by car, and sometimes by train or airplane.
______ c. It is very important to travel with people that you get along with.
______ d. 'The other players take turns asking questions that can only be answered
with "yes" or "no."
3. Tea and coffee are very different from each other.
______ a. Coffee has more caffeine than tea does.
______ b. Coffee and tea both have caffeine.
______ c. People enjoy tea and coffee during social occasions.
______ d. Tea is much more common around the world than coffee is.

4. In my opinion, people spend too much money on cars.

______ a. Some drivers spend a fourth of their income for a car payment, which
is unnecessary.
______ b. Cars do not increase in value, so they are not a great investment.
______ c. Car companies are always looking for ways to make vehicles safer on
the road.
______ d. People who do not pay cash must also pay interest, so they lose even
more money.
5. It is easy to get a sports injury.
______ a. Many people enjoy sports.
______ b. Runners often have problems with their ankles and knees.
______ c. Basketball players can break their fingers or get knocked over by
another player.
______ d. Many people make the simple mistake of joining a gym, and then they
never go there to exercise.

6. My city is famous because of its architecture.

______ a. We have ancient red-tiled buildings around the main square.
______ b. The restaurants near the beach serve great seafood.
______ c. It has expensive tree-lined boulevards with beautiful limestone
buildings and monuments.
______ d. A famous university is located on the side of a mountain.
Exercise 4: Editing for unity
Read the paragraph below. Cross out the two sentences that are not about
the controlling idea.

Life in a New Place

I am a Thai girl living in the U.S., and there are many adjustments that I must
make. First of all, I must get used to a new kind of food. I am learning to eat a
lot of hamburgers because they are not expensive and they are easy to buy.
The people are different and I am learning to meet new foreign friends. For
example, two of my new friends are from Pakistan. Pakistan is also an
interesting country to visit. The weather requires another kind of adjustment.
Some days, it is hot just as in my country, but on other days it is cold and this
is very strange for me. I came to the U.S. to study and I enjoy my classes and
my teachers. I am adjusting to the U.S. in many ways, but it is not a problem
for me because I like to know about different places and people.
Exercise 5 Developing unity
Write two supporting sentences for each of the following topic sentences.
Then exchange books with a partner and check your partner's sentences for
unity.
1. Computers are useful in many ways.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
2. There are certain characteristics that I always look for in a good restaurant.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. When I want to look nice for a party, I follow a few simple steps.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. There are activities in a park for family members of all ages.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. There are many ways to show respect to older people.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
6. When you are going camping, there are some things you should always take with you.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Coherence within a Paragraph
A paragraph must also have coherence. This means that the supporting
details are organized so that information that goes together appears
together.

Writers often use time, space, or order of importance to present the

supporting information in a paragraph coherently. The following
example is organized by space.

When you drive into the airport, you will see many signs for the
different terminals. After you pass the signs, you will drive over a hill.
The airport is on the other side of the hill. On your right, you will see the
international terminal. This terminal is two stories tall. The front is all
glass. On the left, you will see the domestic terminals...
Exercise 6: Identifying patterns of coherence
Read the paragraphs below. Then circle the word that best describes the
way the paragraph is organized.
Paragraph 1
My favorite restaurant is in an old house. It is very convenient because it is
in my neighborhood. We can drive, or if the evening is pleasant, we can
walk. It has a nice atmosphere and friendly service. We know some of the
waiters and waitresses so we enjoy talking to them because they ask us
about our children. We especially like the decorations. The walls are soft
yellow, and candles and fresh flowers are on the tables inside and outside.
Finally, the food is excellent. The cook is the owner and he makes delicious
dishes with fresh ingredients. We always enjoy our meals.

Time / Space / Order of importance

 Paragraph 2
My favorite restaurant is in an old house. My husband and I enjoy
eating there on summer evenings. We usually walk from our house so
we can enjoy our neighbors' gardens and get a little bit of exercise.
The afternoon sun shines through the trees but it is not too bright. We
arrive at dusk, and if we are lucky, we can sit outside. The waiter
brings a basket of warm bread and a cold drink. We have an appetizer
or a salad while the sun goes down. Then the waiter lights the candles
while we enjoy the main course. By the time we finish desert, it is
night time. We walk home slowly, feeling full but happy in the
moonlight.

Time / Space / Order of importance

 Exercise 7: Evaluating coherence within a paragraph
Read the following paragraphs. Which one has better coherence? What is
the pattern of organization?

Paragraph 1
Soccer brings the world together in many ways. During the World Cup,
people from all over the world are tuned in. If they can not see it in
person, they watch it on television. Many countries participate in the
world cup. People learn about the teams from different countries, and
they learn something about those countries. When people are watching
the World Cup, they do not care if the game is on at four a.m. in their
country. They will stay up to watch it. They learn about the flags from
different countries because they will see the fans.
 Paragraph 2
The best way to meet new friends is to take a class. First, all the
people in a class have something in common. They all want to
learn about the subject, so there is something to talk about.
Second, everyone sees each other every time the class meets,
so there are many opportunities to get to know others. Third,
there are often activities and group projects so students can
work together, and this is the best way to get to know people.
By the end of the class, it is hard not to know your classmates.
 PART 4 Editing Your Writing

Simple Sentence Structure

A sentence is a statement that expresses a complete idea.
Sentences form the building blocks of written communication.
They include affirmative statements, negative statements, and
questions. A complete sentence must have a subject and a verb.
Subject
The subject tells who or what the sentence is about. Sometimes
the subject is singular, and sometimes it is plural.
Fatima smiled. (singular subject)
Siblings fight. (plural subject)
Subjects can be more than one word.
Lois and Peter have eight children.
The hungry kittens ran to their mother.

Verb
The verb refers to an action or a state. It indicates tense or time.
Two common tenses are present and past.
Jared sings. (present tense)
Ducks walked across the street. (past tense)
A sentence can have more than one verb.
My brother studied hard and earned a degree in economics.
Exercise 1: Identifying subjects and verbs
Underline the subject and circle the verb(s) in each sentence.

1. My mother raised seven children.

2. She cooked and cleaned all day long.
3. My father and his brother have a small business.
4. My three sisters live in Vietnam.
5. I help my aunt during the day and go to school in the evening.
6. My parents bought a new car.
Exercise 2: Writing simple sentences
Answer each question below in a complete sentence. When you finish, exchange
books with your partner. Then underline the subject and circle the verb in each of
your partner's sentences.
1. What sports do you enjoy?
______________________________I enjoy soccer and tennis._________________________________
2. Where do you live?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. What do you like to do on the weekends?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Where do you study?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What kind of food do you like?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
6. Who do you enjoy spending time with?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
 Punctuation and Capitalization
ㆍThe first word in a sentence is always
capitalized.
The wedding lasts for several days.
ㆍA complete sentence can end in a period.
A good speech begins with a joke.
ㆍA question ends with a question mark.
Do you enjoy learning about the world?
ㆍOccasionally, writers use an exclamation mark
to give emphasis to a sentence.
I looked down and sliding across my bare
foot was a giant green mamba!
 Exercise 3: Identifying end punctuation
Read the paragraph. In each sentence, underline the subject and circle
the verb(s). Then draw a box around each end punctuation.

Summer by the Sea

My favorite memory is about my family. It happened a long time ago before my
brother got married and moved out. My parents had seven children. All seven
of us piled in one car for a summer holiday by the beach. We traveled in that
crowded car for two days! Finally we arrived at a small house near the beach. It
had one big room with many beds and an other room for eating and cooking.
The kids spent all day outside. We played together in the water. Sometimes, my
mother made a picnic dinner. We sat on the sand to cat and watch the sun go
down. One night we brought out blankets and slept by the water. I loved that
time. We talked and looked at the stars until late at night. This wonderful
summer holiday was the best time of my life.
 Fragments
Every sentence must have a subject and a verb and
express a complete idea. A sentence that is missing a
subject or a verb is incomplete. It is called a fragment.

Incorrect Correct
I like Minneapolis. Is a clean I like Minneapolis. It is a clean
city. (subject is missing) city.
They successful. (verb is They are successful.
missing)
Exercise 4: Identifying and correcting fragments
Decide whether each fragment below is missing a subject or a verb. Then
rewrite it so that it is correct.
1. Some food very spicy.
________________________________Some food is very spicy._________________________________
2. Corn my favorite vegetable.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Is very bright in the afternoon.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. Takes a nap for two or three hours.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Eats rice.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
6. There flowers in the market.
____________________________________________________________________________________________
 Run-on Sentences
Two sentences that run together without correct punctuation
between them are called run-on sentences. One way to correct a
run-on sentence is to put a period between the sentences. Another
way is toadd a comma and a connecting word.
Incorrect Correct
I received a letter it was from my I received a letter. It was from
sister. my sister.
(no punctuation between two (period added between the
sentences) sentences)
They laughed, I felt better. They laughed, and I felt better.
(comma alone between two (connecting word added)
sentences)
Exercise 5: Identifying and correcting run-on sentences
Correct the following run-on sentences by rewriting them on the blanks
below.
1. I am a full-time student, I live in a great apartment near campus.
______I am a full-time student, and I live in a great apartment near campus._______
2. There are mice living underneath my house they make a lot of noise at night.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
3. I used to cat rice and vegetables for breakfast now I eat cereal and milk.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
4. I do not drive, I ride the bus.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
5. I am saving money for a bicycle I also want to buy a camera.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 6: Editing for fragments and run-on sentences
Correct the three fragments and two run-on errors in the following
paragraph. Do not forget to use appropriate punctuation and capitalization.

My Hotel Job
My mother's cousin owned a hotel, and I worked there as a young man.
I enjoyed this work very much. Met many interesting people. One time a
family came to stay in the hotel. They a daughter, she was my age. We
met often and talked about our lives. I invited her to my house to meet
my family. She told us about her life in the United States. We shared
our customs with her. Later my mother told me something
unforgettable. She said, "I know that you are going to live in America."
My mother a very smart woman, she was right. I came to America to
search for my friend. I am still looking.
 PART 5 Putting It All Together
Exercise 1: Identifying the elements of a paragraph
Read the paragraph. Then label the formatting elements of the paragraph. Use
the words in the box.
a. margin b. double spacing c. indent d. title

1. _______________ My Grandfather the Baker

My grandfather has a lot of respect in our community. He is
the owner of a bakery called "The Family Bread Factory." The
2. _______________ bakery has been his profession since he was young. He
started working there at the age of 13. He learned many
recipes. The most delicious and secret recipe uses oatmeal
3. _______________ and other ingredients that only he knows. This bread made
him famous. Nowadays he makes some bread only once in a
while because his legs bother him, and he gets tired easily.
4. _______________ Instead, he sits at a table, and the people of the town come to
buy bread and to their respects. Everyone admires him very
much because he is an honest and hardworking man.
Exercise 2: Identifying topic sentences and supporting sentences
For each set of sentences, write TS next to the topic sentence that states
the topic and provides a controlling idea. Write SS next to the supporting
sentences.

1. ______ a. The calendars are different.

______ b. The weekend starts on Friday instead of Saturday.
______ c. The time is different because my country does not follow Greenwich time.
______ d. There are some very specific differences between my part of the world
and the western countries.

2. ______ a. I was traveling to Los Angeles to visit my cousin.

______ b. My plane was delayed, so I was stuck at the airport.
______ c. I experienced a strange coincidence last year.
______ d. I heard my math teacher from my old hometown calling my name.
3. ______ a. I like several things about my English class.
______ b. I am meeting many new friends from different countries.
______ c. Every clay, I learn new words, and I keep them in a notebooks.
______ d. Sometimes we play games and laugh during the class time.

4. ______ a. You can use the Internet to find a great deal of information, but if
you do not have the right skills, you can waste a lot of time.
______ b. The Internet can be incredibly useful if you know how to use it.
______ c. There are opportunities to buy and sell products on the Internet, but
you have to know the proper way to send money.
______ d. The Internet is a good place to find a job for people who know how to
use search engines.
Exercise 3: Evaluating concluding sentences
Read the paragraphs below. Then read the concluding sentences that follow and
decide which one works best. Copy the sentence you choose into the paragraph.

There They Are!

I feel happy whenever I am standing beside a train track a. In conclusion, I always had
because I am waiting for someone who is close to me. I an enjoyable visit with my
was the youngest child in my family, so my older brothers and sisters.
brothers and sisters left home before I did. However,
they always returned for vacations and holidays. My b. In conclusion, my whole
mother and lather and I were always at the train station family likes train stations.
to greet them. I enjoyed the smell of the train and the
roaring noise it made as the big black engine pulled into c. Now I am an adult, but I
the station. I would jump up and down trying to see still feel joy when I go to the
while everyone crowded around the doors. "There they train station to meet
are!"' my mother would cry. I would run to jump into someone I love.
the arms of my beloved brother or sister. _______________
 A Wise Shopper
A consumer can save a lot of money by shopping wisely. This means he is
always looking for sales and collecting coupons, but it also means the person
is not a compulsive shopper. In other words, the wise consumer does his
research and makes a plan so that he knows what he is looking for. He is not
tempted by attractive products that are not necessary. Sometimes he goes
home without purchasing anything. He might think he wasted his time but he
knows he did not waste his money. ________________________________________________

a. In conclusion, a compulsive shopper can never be a wise shopper.

b. In conclusion, a wise shopper also keeps a budget so that he knows how much
he can spend.
c. In conclusion, a wise shopper finds ways to save money on the price and to
avoid buying what he does not need.
Exercise 4: Editing a paragraph
Read the paragraph below. Cross out the two sentences that do not support
the topic sentence.

My Red Couch
I acquired a new couch in an interesting way. I was walking to the bus stop, and I
saw a yard sale. The family was selling a beautiful but heavy red couch at a very
good price. I really liked the couch, and I wanted to buy it. However, there was a
problem. I did not have a truck, and my apartment was five blocks away. Suddenly,
I saw my classmate across the strcet. She usually sat next to me in a computer
class. I told her my problem, and she offered to help. Then I paid for the couch and
my friend and I carried it down the street. When we got tired, we sat down to rest
on the sidewalk. Finally, we brought it to my door, and my neighbor helped carry it
upstairs. I really like to buy old things because I live in an old building. It was a
funny day for me, and I like to remember this day whenever I come home and see
my beautiful red couch.
Exercise 5: Identifying subjects and verbs
Underline the subject and circle the verb(s) in each sentence.
1. My classmate drinks hot chocolate.
2. We lived in Lima.
3. Hong Kong has many interesting neighborhoods.
4. My brother eats rice and drinks milk at every meal.

Exercise 6: Practicing with end punctuation.

Add the correct end punctuation to the following sentences.
1. How do men and women meet each other _____
2. When I got home, there were candles and fresh flowers everywhere _____
3. He was late to his own birthday party _____
4. The guests danced Merengue and Salsa _____
Exercise 7: Identifying and correcting fragments
Decide whether each fragment below is missing a subject or a verb. Then
rewrite it correctly.
1. Suddenly fell down.
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. Has a tropical climate.
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. I walking beside the lake with my best friend.
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. Was an important day for me.
_________________________________________________________________________________________
Exercise 8: Identifying and correcting run-on sentences
Correct the following run-on sentences by rewriting them on the blanks
below.
1. We watched a movie it was about a dinosaur that lost its mother.
____________________________________________________________________________________
2. We have a harvest moon festival every year in our city, there are parades
and kiosks with noodle soup and other delicious food.
____________________________________________________________________________________
3. I had to stop going to school for a while, my father wanted me to help
with his business.
____________________________________________________________________________________
4. Rice pudding is delicious and easy to make it is great for parties, too.
____________________________________________________________________________________