PARAGRAPH ESSENTIALS

TOPIC SENTENCE

A well written paragraph is an enlargement of a single idea. The length of a paragraph may vary but all the sentences in a paragraph have a common purpose to expand the main idea.

In most paragraphs, the main idea is found in the topic sentences (TS). Therefore, the topic sentence is the most important sentences in the paragraph.

It tells :

(a) what the paragraph is about

(b) states the main idea of the paragraph

The topic sentence can be found in various positions as illustrated in the examples below.

Type 1 (s)

A good student, who wants to acquire knowledge, is careful to follow specific steps to achieve maximum understanding. First, wherever possible he prepares in advance for the lecture he is going to attend. He studies and reads ahead the topic to be discussed. Second, on arriving at the lecture hall, he chooses a place where he can see and hear the lecturer well. Finally, when the lecture is over, he reviews and evaluates the ideas that are discussed.

In the example above, the main idea is stated in the first sentences. All the other sentences support this idea by giving examples. This type of paragraph development can be diagrammatically illustrated by a triangle with the apex pointing downwards. The base line of the triangle represents the position of the topic sentence.

Type 2 (t)

Wherever possible, a good student prepares in advance for the lecture he is going to attend. He studies and reads ahead the topic to be discussed. On arriving at the lecture hall, he chooses a seat where he can see and hear the lecturer well. When the lecture is over he reviews and evaluates the ideas that are discussed. Thus, a good student, who wants to acquire knowledge, takes specific steps to achieve maximum understanding.

In this example, details are given first and the main idea is stated at the end of the paragraph.

Type 3 (X)

Wherever possible, a good student prepares in advance for the lecture he is going to attend. He studies and reads ahead the topic to be discussed. A good student, as you are beginning to see, takes specific steps to achieve maximum understanding. Furthermore, on arriving at the lecture hall, he chooses a seat where he can see and hear the lecturer well. Finally, when the lecture is over, he reviews and evaluates ideas that are discussed.

In this example, the writer begins and ends with details to support the topic sentences that appears in the middle of the paragraph. Since the topic sentences is embedded in the middle the diagram resembles a diamond.

Type 4 (u)

A good student, who wants to acquire knowledge, is careful to follow specific steps to achieve maximum understanding. First, wherever possible he prepares in advance for the lecture he is going to attend. He studies and reads ahead the topic to be discussed. Second, on arriving at the lecture hall, he chooses a place where he can see and hear the lecturer well. Finally when the lecturer is over he reviews and evaluates the ideas that are discussed. Effective learning is an active process in which a student deliberately takes certain actions to ensure that maximum understanding occurs.

The above examples shows how the writer has developed the paragraph by inserting details between two sentences that contain the main idea of the paragraph - the first and the last sentences.

Type 5 ( n)

Wherever possible a good student prepares in advance for the lecture he is going to attend. He studies and reads ahead the topic to be discussed. On arriving at the lecture hall, he chooses a place where he can see and hear the lecturer well. When the lecture is over, he reviews and evaluates the ideas that are discussed.

In this paragraph, the main idea is not stated explicitly. However, all the sentences work together to describe the steps a good student would take to achieve maximum understanding of a lecture. Since no one sentences takes lead the square diagram would best illustrate this type of paragraph development.

WRITING THE TOPIC SENTENCE

A good topic sentence includes the following :-

It states an opinion or attitude that can be supported by details and examples.

e.g. The weather is bad today.

Support : thunderstorm and lightning strong wind

It is specific enough to be clear and interesting.

e.g. Parenthood is the most exciting event for married couples.

It gives a definite direction to a paragraph.

e.g. Computers make clerical work easier.

It expresses the main idea of a paragraph.

e.g. Raising the age of driving to 20 will save many lives.

Activity

Develop the following supporting points into a paragraph. Write and underline your topic sentences. The topic sentences may appear in any position.

1. Library

(a) to students

- find materials for assignments

- place to study

(b) to teachers

- prepare class materials

- keep abreast with new developments.

2. Swimming

(a) good for the muscles

- well-toned shoulders and legs

(b) lose weight

- trims down fatty tissues

- safe form of exercise for the whole body

3. College

(a) people

- making new friends

- learn different cultures

(b) security

- good-paying job

- more prestige

- expert in a chosen field

- better understanding of world

5. Maturity

(a) physical

- physical development

- voice change

(b) emotional

- responsibility of own actions

- stable and calm

- decisive in decision-making

- analytical in thinking

SUPPORT STATEMENT

A well-supported paragraph is one in which the topic sentences is developed or expanded by supporting points. The supporting points should explain/describe/elaborate on the key words of the topic sentence by using specific details. Examples or illustrations should also be used when necessary.

Example :

Topic Sentence : Eating at La Rizz Cafe is a pleasant experience.

Supporting point I : Excellent food

Specific detail 1 : Wide choice

eg. pastries, buns, dishes

Specific details 2 : tasty

eg. mouth-watering chocolate cakes

Supporting point II : Good service

Specific detail 1 : friendly proprietor

eg. cheerful disposition

Specific details 2 : efficient workers

eg. prompt service

Supporting point III : Comfortable atmosphere

Specific detail 1 : quiet and peaceful

Activity

Read each of the following paragraph. The topic sentence is underlined. Complete the supporting points and specific details.

1. If you want to become a good note-taker you should follow these hints. The most important thing is to attend class regularly. The instructor will probably develop all the main ideas of the course during class and you don’t want to miss them. Secondly, you should write down your notes in outline form. Write your main points at the margin, indent major supporting details and further indent more subordinate materials. When your teacher moves from one topic to the next, show this shift by skipping a line or two. A final hint is to write down any points your teacher repeats or takes the time to put on the board. Normally those are the most important ideas that the teacher wants to convey. These ideas may even come out in the exam.

Supporting Point 1 : ______________________________________________________

Specific details (1)_______________________________________________________

(2)______________________________________________________

Supporting Point II : ______________________________________________________

Specific details

(1) ___________________________________________________

(2) ____________________________________________________

Supporting Point III : _____________________________________________________

Specific details

(1) ____________________________________________________

(2) ____________________________________________________

Circle the key words in the topic sentence given. Then complete the outline below by listing the suitable supporting points and specific details.

3. Topic sentence : I have to consider three factors when choosing an undergraduate course.

Supporting Point 1 : ________________________________________________

Specific detail(s) : _________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Supporting Point 2 : ________________________________________________

Specific detail(s) : ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Supporting Point 3 : ________________________________________________

Specific detail(s) ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

4. There are three ways in which people normally respond to criticism. Perhaps you are one of those who withdraw when judged negatively by others. This withdrawal takes the form of accepting the attack silently even though you don’t agree with it. You can also withdraw yourself from the critic temporarily or even permanently. A second possible response is to justify yourself. You will defend yourself against any attack by giving an explanation for your course of action. You may also want to point out how the critic has failed to see things from your point of view. A third typical response to criticism is to counter attack. You do this by pointing out some faults of the critic. You reduce the pressure on yourself by shifting the spotlight from your faults.

Supporting Point I : ________________________________________________

Specific details : ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Supporting Point II : ________________________________________________

Specific details : ________________________________________________

________________________________________________

Supporting Point III : ________________________________________________

Specific details ________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________

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