Scribd
Upload
4 views

How to write

The document provides a comprehensive guide on writing paragraphs, detailing the structure including topic sentences, supporting details, and closing sentences. It outlines the prewriting, writing, and editing stages, offering steps and tips for each phase to help organize and express ideas effectively. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of grammar, spelling, and maintaining focus on the main idea throughout the paragraph.

Uploaded by

5r6scbqbsc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
4 views

How to write

The document provides a comprehensive guide on writing paragraphs, detailing the structure including topic sentences, supporting details, and closing sentences. It outlines the prewriting, writing, and editing stages, offering steps and tips for each phase to help organize and express ideas effectively. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of grammar, spelling, and maintaining focus on the main idea throughout the paragraph.

Uploaded by

5r6scbqbsc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 23

Paragraph Writing

Fall 2008
Source
from:http://www2.actden.com/writ_Den/Tips/paragrap/index.htm

1
Topic Sentence
 What is the topic sentence?
The topic sentence is the first sentence in a
paragraph.
 What does it do?
It introduces the main idea of the
paragraph.
 How do I write one?
Summarize the main idea of your
paragraph. Indicate to the reader what your
paragraph will be about.
2
Example:
 There are three reasons why Canada is
one of the best countries in the world.
First, Canada has an excellent health care
system. All Canadians have access to medical
services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada
has a high standard of education. Students are
taught by well-trained teachers and are
encouraged to continue studying at university.
Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently
managed. Canadian cities have many parks
and lots of space for people to live. As a result,
Canada is a desirable place to live.

3
Supporting Details
 What are supporting sentences?
They come after the topic sentence,
making up the body of a paragraph.
 What do they do?
They give details to develop and
support the main idea of the
paragraph.
 How do I write them?
You should give supporting facts,
details, and examples.
4
Example:
 There are three reasons why Canada is one of
the best countries in the world. First, Canada
has an excellent health care system. All
Canadians have access to medical services
at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has
a high standard of education. Students are
taught by well-trained teachers and are
encouraged to continue studying at
university. Finally, Canada's cities are
clean and efficiently managed. Canadian
cities have many parks and lots of space
for people to live. As a result, Canada is a
desirable place to live.
5
Closing Sentence
 What is the closing sentence?
The closing sentence is the last
sentence in a paragraph.
 What does it do?
It restates the main idea of your
paragraph.
 How do I write one?
Restate the main idea of the
paragraph using different words.
6
Example:
 There are three reasons why Canada is one of
the best countries in the world. First, Canada
has an excellent health care system. All
Canadians have access to medical services at
a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high
standard of education. Students are taught by
well-trained teachers and are encouraged to
continue studying at university. Finally,
Canada's cities are clean and efficiently
managed. Canadian cities have many parks
and lots of space for people to live. As a
result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

7
Prewriting Paragraphs
 What is the prewriting stage?
The prewriting stage is when you
think carefully and organize your
ideas for your paragraph before
you begin writing.

8
Six Prewriting Steps:

1. Think carefully about what you are


going to write. Ask yourself: What
question am I going to answer in this
paragraph or essay? How can I best answer
this question? What is the most important
part of my answer? How can I make an
introductory sentence (or thesis
statement) from the most important part
of my answer? What facts or ideas can I
use to support my introductory sentence?
How can I make this paragraph or essay
interesting? Do I need more facts on this
topic? Where can I find more facts on this 9
2. Open your notebook. Write out your
answers to the above questions. You do not
need to spend a lot of time doing this; just
write enough to help you remember why and
how you are going to write your paragraph or
essay.

3. Collect facts related to your paragraph or


essay topic. Look for and write down facts
that will help you to answer your question.
Timesaving hint: make sure the facts you are
writing are related to the exact question you
are going to answer in your paragraph or
essay. 10
4. Write down your own ideas. Ask
yourself: What else do I want to say about
this topic? Why should people be
interested in this topic? Why is this topic
important?

5. Find the main idea of your paragraph


or essay. Choose the most important
point you are going to present. If you
cannot decide which point is the most
important, just choose one point and stick
to it throughout your paragraph or essay.
11
6. Organize your facts and ideas in a way that
develops your main idea. Once you have
chosen the most important point of your
paragraph or essay, you must find the best way
to tell your reader about it. Look at the facts you
have written. Look at your own ideas on the topic.
Decide which facts and ideas will best support
the main idea of your paragraph. Once you have
chosen the facts and ideas you plan to use, ask
yourself which order to put them in the
paragraph. Write down your own note set that
you can use to guide yourself as you write your
paragraph or essay.
12
Writing Paragraphs
 What is the writing stage?
The writing stage is when you turn
your ideas into sentences.

13
Five Writing Steps:

1. Open your notebook and word processor.


2. Write the topic sentence, supporting
sentences, and closing sentence.
3. Write clear and simple sentences to
express your meaning.
4. Focus on the main idea of your paragraph.
5. Use the dictionary to help you find
additional words to express your ideas.

14
Editing Paragraphs
 What is the editing stage?
The editing stage is when you
check your paragraph for mistakes
and correct them.

15
Grammar and Spelling

1. Check your spelling.


2. Check your grammar.
3. Read your essay again.
4. Make sure each sentence has a subject.
5. See if your subjects and verbs agree with
each other.
6. Check the verb tenses of each sentence.
7. Make sure that each sentence makes
sense.
16
Style and Organization

1. Make sure your paragraph has a


topic sentence.
2. Make sure your supporting
sentences focus on the main idea.
3. Make sure you have a closing
sentence.
4. Check that all your sentences focus
on the main idea.
5. See if your paragraph is interesting.
17
Kinds of Sentences and
Their Punctuation

http://www.towson.edu/ows/
sentences.htm

18
A sentence may be one of four
kinds, depending upon the number
and type(s) of clauses it contains.

19
20
21
22
23

You might also like