Writing paragraphs, it is easier than you

think!David Estrella I.

CELEX Academic Writing Center

What is a paragraph?

Definition• A group of related sentences that develop

one main idea.• It has three components• Unity• Development• Coherence

What is a paragraph?

A paragraph has three main parts1. Topic sentence2. Supporting sentences3. Concluding sentence

Don’t forget # 1

In English every sentence has the following format:

Subject + Verb + Object

Marcos plays baseball in the park.

The writing process…

Before you begin to write, you should ___.

a. finish homework for your other clases.

b. get some ideas.c. ask your friends for help.

The writing process…

Your teacher wants you to read a classmate’s paper because ___.a. You can learn a lot from your classmate’s

work.b. Your teacher is too busy to read all the

papers.c. You are better writer tan your classmate.

The writing process…

Your teacher wants you to write your paragraph again because ___.a. Your teacher can’t think of any other

homework.b. The first time your paragraph sucked.c. Your paragraph can be better if you make some changes.

Don’t forget # 2

In English every time you write a verb you need a subject before it.

I bought a new computer. Is nice.

Don’t forget # 2

In English every time you write a verb you need a subject before it.

I bought a new computer. It is nice.

The topic sentence

Usually the first sentence.Controls the content.Everything is about it.

The topic sentence

Controls or guides

The topic sentence

It is specific

The topic sentence

It is specific

Tea is delicious

The topic sentence

It is specific

Green tea has many benefits.

The topic sentence

It is not too specific

The topic sentence

It is not too specific

This dictionary has more than 42,000

The topic sentence

Snowboarding is my favorite winter sport.

Topic: snowboarding

Main idea: winter sport

The topic sentence

Reading novels such as Harry Potter stories, can help students improve their English.Topic: Reading novelsMain idea: help students improve English

The topic sentence

Disneyland is a great place for a family vacation.

Topic: Disneyland

Main idea: a great place for a family vacation

Be careful with verbs in present simple:

Eddie swims in the pool.

Libertad studies hard.

Don’t forget # 3

HeShe + Verb (-s / -es)It

Don’t forget # 3

What are the mistakes in the sentences?

1. Most people lives near the coast because the interior is too dry.

2. I’m not sure if Mary really have a Little lamb.3. The more Veronica know the better results

she will get in the test.

The Supporting sentences

• The body of the paragraph• Illustrate controlling idea•Give details• Examples• Facts• Statistics

The Supporting sentences

Different kinds - explain

The family moved from the village to the capital due to economic reasons.

The Supporting sentences

Different kinds - describe

Veronica lived in a lovely, two-story house.

The Supporting sentences

Different kinds – give facts

More tan 10% of the people surveyed said they felt economy would improve.

The Supporting sentences

Different kinds – give examples

For instance, oranges and grapefruits grow in the coast of Ecuador.

The Supporting sentences

Different kinds - define

My grandmother has a samovar, which is a large urn used to keep food warm.

The Supporting sentences

I need to look for a new job.a) Since we now have another child, my salary really

isn't enough for our family.b) I like working with my brother.c) The commute is very long, and I would like to

spend more time with my family.d) This is a tough economy, and I am lucky that I still

have a job.

The Supporting sentences

Students need to learn good ways to study.a) Sometimes doing homework in a group can

be helpful.b) Making friends is important to happiness

and success.c) Many high-paying jobs require a college

degree.d) Studying instead of sleeping doesn't help

learning or test scores.

Don’t forget # 4

Supporting sentence -> Topic sentence

Don’t forget # 4

On my last vacation I went to Salinas. This last vacation we had a great time because we went driving to other beaches and had a lot of fun. I have a house in Salinas. We spent a lot of time having really good lunches. One day we had lobster termidor, it was excellent. We also spent time in Chipipe, because this is a family beach.

Don’t forget # 4

On my last vacation I went to Salinas. This last vacation we had a great time because we went driving to other beaches and had a lot of fun. I have a house in Salinas. We spent a lot of time having really good lunches. One day we had lobster termidor, it was excellent. We also spent time in Chipipe, because this is a family beach.

The concluding sentence

What is a concluding sentence?• Last sentence.• Logical conclusion.

The concluding sentence

What do we do in the concluding sentence?• Re-state

The concluding sentence

What do we do in the concluding sentence?

• Suggest

The concluding sentence

What do we do in the concluding sentence?

•Give opinion / prediction

The paragraphA career in the Sky

If you are searching for an interesting career, think about becoming a flight attendant. First of all, flight attendants receive a large amount of training for their job. They learn about interpersonal skills, customer service and safety. Second, every time flight attendants go to work, their scenery changes. They could be in Korea one day and New York the next. Sometimes they even get to stay in a city one day or two before flying home. In addition, flight attendants get reduced prices on airline tickets for vacation. Imagine spending no more than a few dollars for a flight anywhere in the world! For a truly exciting career, consider becoming a flight attendant because the benefits are worth it.

Homework

You decide to spend the day enjoying the sunny weather. And that’s great, until you see him (or her)—but who? This person looks exactly like you, but you know that you don’t have a twin. And what’s this, he (or she) is coming to you—angrily. Who is this, and why are is this person so mad?

Bibliography

• Bailey, S. (2006). Academic Writing: A handbook for international students (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge. • Edmands, B. (2012). Brainstorming. Retrieved April 14, 2016, from http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/teaching/gentopic/pop4d.cfm • Folse, K. S., Muchmore-Vokoun, A., & Vestri, E. (2010). Great Paragraphs (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Heinle Cengage Learning. • Zemach, D. E., & Islam, C. (2005). Paragraph

Writing: From sentence to paragraph. Oxford: Macmillan.