AHMED KHABAZ || IBN SOULAIMAN ROUDANI HIGH SCHOOL || TAROUDANT || LEVELS: 1ST & 2ND BAC

A paragraph is a number of sentences dealing with a single topic or point. It is indicated by a new line and an
indentation. It usually starts with a main idea and then gives evidence to support that main idea. Remember that each
sentence in a paragraph should somehow relate back to your topic sentence.

A paragraph is a group of sentences that present a single idea. In order for a paragraph to be effective, it must begin
with a topic sentence that makes this single idea evident, have sentences that support the main idea of that paragraph,
and maintain a consistent flow.

A paragraph is a collection of sentences dealing with a single topic. It should be unified, coherent, and well-developed.
Typically, you want to keep one idea to one paragraph. A paragraph is made up of a topic sentence, the developing
details, and a concluding sentence.

A paragraph is a group of related sentences. The sentences within an effective paragraph support and extend one
another to develop a single idea. Thus, you can think of a paragraph as a kind of “mini-essay.” An effective paragraph:
• presents a clear main or controlling idea,
• supports or develops that main idea,
• arranges ideas and supporting material in an orderly pattern, and
• uses logical associations and transitions to link one idea to the next.

Topic Sentence: It states the main idea of the whole paragraph. It usually comes
first or after a brief transition. It helps your reader to understand what the topic of your
TOPIC SENTENCE paragraph is going to be. The purpose of the topic sentence is to state the main point of the
paragraph and to give the paragraph a sense of direction.

FEATURES OF A TOPIC SENTENCE

1. It has a controlling idea that limits the topic and guides the flow of the paragraph. The controlling idea tells the
reader what you will say about your topic. Here are two topic sentences. The topic is in bold type and the controlling
idea is underlined.
• Football is popular for many reasons.
Explanation: The reader expects the paragraph to explain why football is popular.
• Many language students prefer bilingual dictionaries to monolingual dictionaries.
Explanation: The reader expects the paragraph to explain why this statement is true.

2. It is not a fact. For example, “Libraries have books” is not a good topic sentence. The information in this sentence
is true, but it is a fact and there is little to say about it.
3. It is specific. “Tea is delicious” is not a good topic sentence because the information in the sentence is too general.
If you want to write a paragraph about tea, make your topic sentence more specific, such as “Green tea has many
health benefits.”
4. It is not too specific. “This dictionary contains more than 42,000 words” limits the topic too much. There is nothing
else for the writer to say, so the paragraph cannot continue.

WRITING A PARAGRAPH TUTORIAL 1

 AHMED KHABAZ || IBN SOULAIMAN ROUDANI HIGH SCHOOL || TAROUDANT || LEVELS: 1ST & 2ND BAC

These sentences offer support and elaborate the topic sentence by providing explanations
SUPPORTING and definitions of terminology, telling a story to illustrate the idea, describing, analyzing,
DETAILS comparing and contrasting, giving data as facts and statistics, using examples, reasoning
and quoting from experts, etc.

The concluding sentence is the ending line. It is the final sentence that wraps up the
CONCLUDING/ paragraph. It should restate the main idea of the paragraph and relate back to the
CLOSING topic sentence.
SENTENCE

ADEQUATE DEVELOPMENT
It is important to fully develop and discuss the topic of your paragraph. If your paragraph is only 2 or 3 sentences,
there is a good chance that you have not developed it enough.

UNITY
In order for a paragraph to maintain a sense of unity, the paragraph must focus solely on a single idea, point, or
argument that is being discussed. Therefore, the paragraph should not begin to stray and develop new ideas. If you
begin to write a sentence that wanders from the paragraph’s main idea, then it is time to start a new paragraph.

COHERENCE
Coherence is more commonly referred to as the flow of your writing. When a paragraph flows, the reader will be able
to understand the main idea that you have presented. How can you ensure that your paragraph maintains a flow? Well,
after presenting your main idea in your topic sentence, each sentence following must build upon each other in an
organized manner. After writing your paragraph, go back and read aloud what you have written to make sure your
ideas are clearly presented. If they are, you have developed a coherent paragraph.

A good way to think of a paragraph and how it is structured is like a hamburger. The topic sentence is the top layer
of bread, the concluding sentence is the bottom layer, and all of the developing details in-between are the meat and
other goods of the hamburger.

WRITING A PARAGRAPH TUTORIAL 2

 AHMED KHABAZ || IBN SOULAIMAN ROUDANI HIGH SCHOOL || TAROUDANT || LEVELS: 1ST & 2ND BAC

HERE ARE SOME SAMPLE PARAGRAPHS

(TS) Last night, I had the most wonderful dream I have ever had. (SS1) In my dream, I saw everyone
in my family including my father, mother, sister, and brother. (This sentence describes the dream in the topic
sentence.) (SS2) I missed them very much because I haven’t seen my family since I left home five years
ago to study here in Taroudant. (This one explains why seeing my family was so wonderful.) (SS3) It was a long
holiday so we all came back to our hometown. (Sentence 3 describes why the whole family can get together.) (SS4)
In the evening, we had dinner together. (SS5) It was a special moment because we could do a lot of
activities we hadn’t done together for a long time. (Sentences 4,5 explain what made this getting together so
wonderful.) (SS6) For example, we cooked, we talked, and ate together in front of television with our
favourite talk show on. (Sentence 6 illustrates the happy moment during dinner by giving evidences.) (SS7) Suddenly,
I heard my roommate yelling at me, so I woke up. (Sentence 7 can be considered off topic as it does not have any
connection to the topic sentence; it can be deleted.) (SS8) Although it was a short dream, I was really happy to
see all of them again. (Sentence 8 is a part of the conclusion. The first part of the sentence is also slightly off topic. The
sentence can stand alone only with the latter part.) (SS9) It was certainly my most wonderful dream ever. (This is
an easy way to conclude the paragraph by repeating or emphasizing the topic sentence.)

(Topic sentence) Morocco is a wonderful place to visit because of its variety of weather and its beautiful
nature. (Supporting sentence 1) Visitors to Morocco can find any weather they like. (Supporting sentence
2) They can find cool temperatures in the summer. (Supporting sentence 3) In addition, they can find
warm weather in the winter. (Supporting sentence 4) They can find places that are difficult for humans
to live in the summer because they are so hot. (Supporting sentence 5) Or they can find places closed
in the winter because of the snow. (Supporting sentence 6) On the other hand, visitors can find the
nature they like. (Supporting sentence 7) They can find high mountains and low valleys. (Supporting
sentence 8) Visitors can find a huge forest, a dead desert, and a beautiful coast. (Closing sentence) So,
Morocco is a really wonderful place to visit because of its weather and nature.

(Topic sentence) There are many excellent reasons for exercising several times each week. (Supporting
detail1) First, people who exercise look better. Exercise is important to keep our bodies in good shape.
(Supporting detail 2) In addition, people who exercise have more energy. (Supporting detail 3) For
example, a person who exercises can walk upstairs or climb hills more easily. (Supporting detail 4)
People who exercise have a healthier heart, too. (Supporting detail 5) Finally, exercise reduces stress
and helps you have a clear mind because too much stress can cause you to worry a lot, and that is not
good for your health. (Concluding sentence) For these reasons, if you want to improve your health, you
should exercise regularly.

(Topic sentence) Learning English can be a daunting task, but there are a few effective ways to make
the process smoother and more enjoyable. (Supporting sentence 1) Firstly, immersing oneself in the
language by reading books, listening to English music, and watching movies or TV shows can greatly
improve comprehension and vocabulary. (Supporting sentence 2)
. (Supporting sentence
3) Additionally, utilizing online resources and language apps for grammar exercises and
vocabulary exercises can also be helpful. (Supporting sentence 4) Lastly, setting specific goals
and consistently dedicating time to study can ensure progress. (Closing sentence) By
incorporating these strategies into our language learning journey, we can become
proficient in English and open up a world of opportunities.

WRITING A PARAGRAPH TUTORIAL 3