REVIEW
What is a paragraph?Necessary to write a letter
A paragraph is a group of sentences that supports, explores, defends, examines, analyzes, describes, develops, etc. only ONE idea.
TASK
Write a paragraph expressing your opinion about the
influence of TV upon families.
PAIR WORK:
Although some parents don’t allow their children to watch
television, I believe that television can be good for families. First
of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for families with
young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too expensive to
take the whole family to the movie theater, the family can sit in
their living room with bowls of homemade popcorn and watch a
movie on television. In the same way, television can be a good
teacher. For example, small children can learn many things, such
as the alphabet and numbers on children’s programs. In addition,
nature programs teach them about earth and how to care for it.
Parents can also use television dramas as a way to start
conversations with their children about important subjects.
Finally, television lets children see a bigger picture of the world
than their own small neighborhood. Some families cannot travel
all over the globe, so the news shows them views of other people
and places. Television also brings other cultures into homes
through special cultural programs. In a nut shell, watching TV
can be beneficial for families under the right circumstances.
Discussion: Look at the paragraph now and identify its different parts.
Although some parents don’t allow their children to
watch television, I believe that television can be good for
families. First of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for
families with young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too
expensive to take the whole family to the movie theater, the
family can sit in their living room with bowls of homemade
popcorn and watch a movie on television. In the same way,
television can be a good teacher. For example, small children
can learn many things, such as the alphabet and numbers on
children’s programs. In addition, nature programs teach them
about earth and how to care for it. Parents can also use
television dramas as a way to start conversations with their
children about important subjects. Finally, television lets
children see a bigger picture of the world than their own small
neighborhood. Some families cannot travel all over the globe,
so the news shows them views of other people and places.
Television brings other cultures into homes through special
cultural programs. In a nut shell, watching TV can be beneficial
for families under the right circumstances.
TOPIC SENTENCE
Although some parents don’t allow their children to watch television, I believe that television can be good for families. First of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for families with young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too expensive to take the whole family to the movie theater, the family can sit in their living room with bowls of homemade popcorn and watch a movie on television. In the same way, television can be a good teacher. For example, small children can learn many things, such as the alphabet and numbers on children’s programs. In addition, nature programs teach them about earth and how to care for it. Parents can also use television dramas as a way to start conversations with their children about important subjects. Finally, television lets children see a bigger picture of the world than their own small neighborhood. Some families cannot travel all over the globe, so the news shows them views of other people and places. Television also brings other cultures into homes through special cultural programs. in a nut shell, watching TV can be a good thing for families under the right circumstances.
Topic:Introduces the general theme.
What subject are you going to write about?
Controlling idea:
Limits the topic.
What do you want to say about the topic?
Controlling idea:
Generates a question Wh…?
Although some parents don’t allow their children to watch
television, I believe that television can be good for families. First of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for families with young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too expensive to take the whole family to the movie theater, the family can sit in their living room with bowls of homemade
popcorn and watch a movie on television. In the same way, television can be a good teacher. For example, small children can learn many things, such as the alphabet and numbers on children’s programs. In addition, nature programs teach them about earth and how to care for it. Parents can also use television dramas as a way to start conversations with their children about
important subjects. Finally, television lets children see a bigger picture of the world than their own small neighborhood. Some families cannot travel all over the globe, so the news shows them views of other people and places. Television also brings other cultures into homes through special cultural programs. in a nut shell, watching TV can be beneficial for families under the right circumstances.
SUPPORTING SENTENCESAnswer the question
generated by the controlling idea.
Further developme
nt.
Although some parents don’t allow their children to watch television, I believe that television can be good for families. First of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for families with young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too expensive to take the whole family to the movie theater, the family can sit in their living room with bowls of homemade popcorn and watch a movie on television. In the same way, television can be a good teacher. For example, small children can learn many things, such as the alphabet and numbers on children’s programs. In addition, nature programs teach them about earth and how to care for it. Parents can also use television dramas as a way to start conversations with their children about important subjects. Finally, television lets children see a bigger picture of the world than their own small neighborhood. Some families cannot travel all over the globe, so the news shows them views of other people and places. Television also
brings other cultures into homes through special cultural programs. In a nut shell, watching TV can be beneficial for families under the right circumstances.
CONCLUDING SENTENCELinking sentence
Summarizes or restates the main
idea as expressed in the topic sentence.
In an essay:It often links the current
paragraph to the following one.
It may anticipate the topic sentence of the next
paragraph.
Although some parents don’t allow their children to watch television, I
believe that television can be good for families. First of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for families with young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too expensive to take the whole family to the movie theater, the family can sit in their living room with bowls of homemade popcorn and watch a movie on
television. In the same way, television can be a good teacher. For example, small children can learn many things, such as the alphabet and numbers on children’s programs. In addition, nature programs teach them about earth and how to care for it. Parents can also use television dramas as a way to
start conversations with their children about important subjects. Finally, television lets children see a bigger picture of the world than their own small neighborhood. Some families cannot travel all over the globe, so the news shows them views of other people and places. Television also brings other cultures into
homes through special cultural programs. In a nut shell, watching TV can be beneficial for families under the right circumstances.
TRANSITION WORDSMake the flow of
ideas smooth
Make the flow of ideas smooth and
easy to read.
ACTIVITY 1
Read the topic sentences carefully.
Circle the topic and underline the controlling idea.
1.) ____________________________________________. North Americans send cards for many occasions. They send cards to family and friends on birthdays and holidays. They also send thank-you cards, get well cards, graduation cards, and congratulation cards. It is very common to buy cards in stores and send them through the mail, but turning on the computer and sending cards over the Internet is also popular.
a) Sending cards is very popular in North America.b) Birthday cards are the most popular kind of card.c) It is important to send thank-you cards.
ACTIVITY 2
Read the supporting sentences and choose the best topic sentence.
2.) __________________________________________ . I enjoy summer sports like water skiing and baseball. The weather is usually sunny and hot, so I can go to the beach almost every day. Gardening is my hobby and I spend many summer days working in my garden. Unfortunately, the days pass too quickly in summer.a) I like to garden in summer.b) Summer is my favorite season.c) Summer is to short.
3.) ________________________________________ . First of all, we need money to repair old roads and build new roads. We also need more money to pay teachers’ salaries and to pay for services such as trash collection. Finally, more tax money is needed to give financial help to the poor citizens of the city. It is clear that the city will have serious problems if taxes are not raised soon.a) We should raise city taxes.b) City taxes are too high.c) City taxes pay for new roads.
4.) _________________________________________ . For example, a person can have breakfast in New York, board an airplane, and have dinner in Paris. A businesswoman in London can instantly place an order with a factory in Hong Kong by sending a fax. Furthermore, a schoolboy in Tokyo can turn on a TV and watch a baseball game being played in Los Angeles. a) Airplanes have changed our lives.b) Advances in technology have made the world seem smaller.c) The fax machine was an important invention.
5.) ___________________________________________ . One thing you must consider is the quality of the university’s educational program. You also need to think about the school’s size and location. Finally, you must be sure to consider the university’s tuition to make sure you can afford to go to school there.a) It is expensive to attend a university in the United States.b) You should consider getting a good education.c) There are several factors to consider when you choose a university to attend.
Writing a paragraph
Write a paragraph about the city in Peru you like the most.
From all the cities in Peru, the one I like the most is Trujillo. This city offers its residents a wide range of services. You don’t need to walk for too long to find a hair salon or medical lab, any average citizen can find almost anything he needs pretty fast. Besides, it has many attractions to visit. Many interesting landmarks can be explored by both locals and visitors, like Chan-Chan or Huanchaco beach. In a nutshell, Trujillo is a city which can win the heart of anyone.
Session 2 goal
Students will be able to recall how to write an
opinion letter, identifying its parts.
Writing an ECCE opinion/suggestio
n letter
What are the most popular attractions in the city?
Do you think Trujillo attracts a lot of tourists?
What can we do to boost tourism?
Model 1
THE CITY TIMES
Plans to attract more tourists to our area.
Following meetings with members of the Town Council, the Mayor has announced that he is planning to develop tourism on a wider scale. An aggressive advertising campaign is planned to be started in order to triple the number of current visitors. Local residents are divided on this issue. Many believe it to be an excellent idea as it will bring new life to the area. Others are concerned about the unpleasant consequences that may arise from an influx of foreign visitors. The editor would like to know more about readers’ views on this proposal.
Task A: LETTER
You have read this article in your local newspaper. Write a letter to the editor of the city times expressing your opinion on the issue. Do you agree with the Mayor’s proposal? What effects do you think this plan to develop tourism in your area will have? Start your letter: “Dear editor,”
Prompt:
Task:Asks the reader to write a
letter expressing an opinion or suggestion on the issue.
Newspaper article:Describes an issue
THE CITY TIMES
Plans to attract more tourists to our area.
Following meetings with members of the Town Council, the Mayor has announced that he is planning to develop tourism on a wider scale. An aggressive advertising campaign is planned to be started in order to triple the number of current visitors. Local residents are divided on this issue. Many believe it to be an excellent idea as it will bring new life to the area. Others are concerned about the unpleasant consequences that may arise from an influx of foreign visitors. The editor would like to know more about readers’ views on this proposal.
Task A: LETTER
You have read this article in your local newspaper. Write a letter to the editor of the city times expressing your opinion on the issue. Do you agree with the Mayor’s proposal? What effects do you think this plan to develop tourism in your area will have? Start your letter: “Dear editor,”
Questions to focus on
They need to be address in the letter.
Always indent your
paragraphs
No space between
paragraphs
Try not to divide a
word since division rules are complex.
Don’t forget to sign
SalutationDear Editor,
I recently read your article in the latest edition of The City Times about the Mayor’s proposal to boost tourism in our city. And, as a local resident and shop owner, I would like to express my point of view. I believe that the results of implementing this plan will be highly beneficial to our community. In the lines below, I will briefly outline some reasons to support my view. To start with, tourism is without doubt an excellent way to improve the local economy. This would happen because visitors spend money on accommodation, entertainment and souvenirs, all of which can be made available in our region. Therefore, local hotel and restaurant owners, as well as manufacturers and crafts people, would be considerably better off financially. However, the financial aspect will not be the only benefit. The horizons of our local people would also be widened through their contact with various cultures from other countries. This interaction with tourists from different countries would promote a better understanding of foreign customs, and would lead our citizens to have a sense of pride in their own traditions and heritage. Given the above, I am in favor of an increase in tourism in our region as I believe it will enhance the quality of life for all concerned both from a financial and cultural point of view.
Yours sincerely
Hellen Keller
Dear Editor,
I recently read your article in the latest edition of The City Times about the Mayor’s proposal to boost tourism in our city. I am writing this letter to express my point of view. As a local resident and shop owner, I firmly believe that the results of implementing this plan will be highly beneficial to our community. In the lines below, I will briefly outline some reasons to support my view.
INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH MODEL 1Where did you learn about the
issue?Summarize
the issue
Why should they pay
attention to your letter or opinion?
What is the purpose of the letter?
What is your opinion or
suggestion?
Linking sentence
To start with, tourism is without doubt an excellent way to improve the local economy. This would happen because visitors spend money on accommodation, entertainment and souvenirs; therefore, local hotels and restaurant owners, as well as manufacturers and crafts people, would be considerably better off financially. However, the financial aspect will not be the only benefit. The horizons of our local people would also be widened through their contact with various cultures from other countries. This interaction with tourists from different countries would promote a better understanding of foreign customs, and would lead our citizens to have a sense of pride in their own traditions and heritage. This situation would be more than positive for our citizens.
First reason, consequence or suggestion
stated in a topic
sentence
Second reason,
consequence or suggestion
stated in a topic
sentence
Development of topic
sentence
BODY MODEL 1
Linking sentence
Concluding sentence
CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH MODEL 1
Given the above, I am in favor of an increase in tourism in our region as I believe it will enhance the quality of life for all concerned; both from a financial and cultural point of view.
Yours sincerely,
Helen Keller
Closing
Conclusion: restate opinion and main points
Signature
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