PARAGRAPH WRITING

What is a paragraph?
1. A paragraph is a group of related sentences that develop one main idea.
2. It is made up of three kinds of sentences that develop the writer’s main idea, opinion, or feeling about a
subject. These sentences are as follows:
a. Topic sentence
b. Supporting sentences + supporting details
c. Concluding sentence

Topic Sentence ...................................................................................................................................

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Supporting sentences.........................................................................................................................
Supporting sentences.........................................................................................................................
Supporting sentences.........................................................................................................................
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Concluding sentences........................................................................................................................

A.. TOPIC SENTENCE

main idea

sentence
sentence
sentence sentence

A topic sentence has several important functions:

A. A topic sentence should always be a complete sentence. The following are not complete sentences.

Driving on freeways.
The importance of money.
How to register for college classes.

B. A topic sentence supports the idea of the paragraph subject.

There are several advantages to growing up in a small town.

Idea of the paragraph subject
C. It is a complete sentence and has three parts:
1. a subject
2. a verb
3. a controlling idea
Samples:
a. Telephones / intrude into / the privacy of our daily lives.
Subject / verb / controlling idea
b. Most adults / find / learning a foreign language difficult.
Subject / verb / controlling idea
c. Violence in Turkish society has several causes.
Subject / verb / controlling idea

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Practice 1. Read the following topic sentences and then write your own topic sentence.

COMPUTERS
Computers are unnecessary and make our life complicated.
Topic Controlling idea
Computers save us time and make our lives easier.
Topic Controlling idea
Computers are a necessary part of modern life.
Topic Controlling idea

Your Topic Sentence______________________________________________________________________

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MUSIC
Playing a musical instrument helps children to develop in discipline and self-confidence.
Music can teach children to understand their own culture as well as other cultures.
Your Topic Sentence______________________________________________________________________

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TELEVISION
Television gives free and interesting entertainment to people of all ages.
Television advertising is far more effective than advertising in magazines or newspapers.
Television has an enormous influence on politics.
Your Topic Sentence______________________________________________________________________
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Practice 2. Write a topic sentence for the following paragraphs.

1. Topic: Using the Internet

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Firstly, all of the latest information is available to you; in your home, at any hour of the day or night. Also, on-line
shopping makes it possible to search through catalogues to find exactly what you want at the best price, so you can save
both time and money. By joining a newsgroup or chat group, you can share your hobbies and special interests, and
perhaps make friends all over the world. Finally, e-mail is popular because it is faster than sending a letter and cheaper
than a telephone conversation. To sum up, the Internet has various benefits.
2. Topic: Divorce
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First of all, financial problems lead to some conflicts in family life. Due to difficult life conditions, people are more
aggressive towards each other. Couples do not tolerate a few mistakes. In addition, women think that life is always
difficult unless they have their own economic independence. Being economically independent is the desire of many
women. They want to earn money and spend it as they wish. Nowadays, there are many women working outside their
homes and are independent. As a result, some regard divorce as the best way to get this independence. They hope to be
free and stand without one’s help. In brief, high divorce rate results from problems related to money.

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 3. Topic:Choosing a college or university

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The most difficult part is finding a university that prepares you well for your future career. In order to get a good job,
the curriculum that is taught must be thorough and up-to-date. In addition, the professors must be highly qualified and
respected in their fields. Another difficulty in choosing a university or college is affordability. You need to be able to
pay the tuition fees and living expenses. Some institutions might be able to offer you scholarships if you cannot afford
the fees. A good location is also very important when choosing a school. The environment should be safe and quiet to
facilitate studying. Moreover, there should be possibilities near the school for part-time or summer jobs in your major,
so you can get some practical work experience. You should consider all of these points carefully, so you can choose
the most appropriate college or university for you.

4. Topic: Studying outside

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To begin with, getting a college degree from a university outside their home country may be prestigious for students.
Many people think that students may get a better education outside their home country. Moreover, students may get
more money in their job if they have a degree from outside the country. Furthermore, some students may get
scholarships to study abroad. Therefore, they may pay less to study abroad and the programs can be better abroad.
In short, students study abroad for a number of reasons. Most students get a good education wherever they go if they
are strong-minded to achieve something in their studies.

5. Topic: Computer
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First of all, it is especially beneficial in the workplace, where employees can do their work far faster that they could in
the past. In addition to this, computers can be educational and fun. From a very young age, children can gain basic
computer skills by the help of programs which help them to learn, draw, paint, and play. As a result, in today’s
technological world, this knowledge can only help them in the future. To sum up, computers are useful for our fast-
fast moving world of high technology.

Practice 3. Using the information in the topic sentence, write a complete paragraph.

There are many reasons why people all over the world enjoy watching movies. First of all,

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Moreover, __________________________________________________________________________________________

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____________________________________________________________________________. In addition, ___________

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In short, ____________________________________________________________________________________________

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Practice 4. By using the information below, please write a well-organized paragraph. Note: You don’t need to use all
notes. You can produce your own ideas.

Topic: The Value of a University Education

1. It will make you more successful.
2. It will give you a better quality of life.
3. It will give you the power to change the world.
4. It will be something you can pass on to your children.
5. It makes you a major contributor to the greatest nation on earth.
6. It provides you with greater economic strength and security
7. It will give you more prestigious employment and greater job satisfaction
8. It will give you a greater knowledge of world events
9. It will give you more self-confidence
10. It will give you more money and a greater quality of life.

The Value of a University Education

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