16-Dec-06 HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH TEACHER : NGUYEN DICH LONG 16-Dec-06 CONTENTS • WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH? • WHAT ARE PARTS OF A PARAGRAPH? • WHAT ARE ELEMENTS OF A GOOD PARAGRAPH? • HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH? 16-Dec-06 WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH? • A paragraph is a basic unit of organization in writing in which a group of related sentences develops one main idea. * The number of sentences is not important; however ,the paragraph should be long enough to develop the main idea clearly. 16-Dec-06 • A topic sentence • Supporting ideas • A concluding sentence 16-Dec-06 3 ELEMENTS OF A GOOD PARAGRAPH • Unified - The sentences should all refer to the main idea, or thesis, of the paper • Coherent-The sentences should be arranged in a logical manner and should follow a definite plan for development . • Well-Developed - Every idea discussed in the paragraph should be adequately explained and supported through evidence and details that work together to explain the paper's controlling idea . 16-Dec-06 THE TOPIC SENTENCE • Definition • 3 characteristics • Positions 16-Dec-06 WHAT IS A TOPIC SENTENCE? • A topic sentence is the one that introduces the topic of the paragraph as well as states an idea or an attitude about it which is called the controlling idea. * A topic sentence is the important sentence in a paragraph. It briefly indicates what the paragraph is going to discuss. 16-Dec-06 WHAT ARE 3 CHARACTERS OF A TOPIC SENTENCE? 1.It’s a complete sentence. 2.It contains both a topic and a controlling idea. 3.It should be not neither too general nor too specific. 16-Dec-06 WHERE IS A TOPIC SENTENCE PLACED? • the beginning of the paragraph • the middle of the paragraph • the end of the paragraph • the beginning and the end of the paragraph [...]... 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 16-Dec-06 EDITING STAGE • Grammar and Spelling • Style and Organization 16-Dec-06 PUBLISHING STAGE Three Publishing Steps: 1 Make a paper copy of your paragraph 2 Show your work to your teacher, tutor, or parents 3 Ask them for hints on how to improve... 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 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... the paragraph 2.It summarizes the main points of the paragraph or restates the topic sentence in different words 3.It gives a final comment on the topic and leaves the reader with 16-Dec-06 the most important ideas to think 4 STAGES OF WRITING A PARAGRAPH • Prewriting stage • Writing stage • Editing stage • Publishing stage` 16-Dec-06 PREWRITNG STAGE Six Prewriting Steps: 1 Think carefully about what... what you are going to write 2 Open your notebook 3 Collect facts related to your paragraph 4 Write down your own ideas 5 Find the main idea of your paragraph 6 Organize your facts and ideas in a way that develops your main idea 16-Dec-06 WRITING STAGE Five Writing Steps: 1 Open your notebook and word processor 2 Write the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentence 3 Write clear and simple...SUPPORTING IDEAS Supporting ideas develop the topic sentence To develop a paragraph, use one or more of these: - Add examples -Tell a story that illustrates the point you're making -Discuss a process - Compare and contrast -Use analogies (X is similar to Y because…) -Discuss cause and effect - Define your terms 16-Dec-06 THE CONCLUDING SENTENCE The concluding sentence serves three purposes: 1.It signals the... 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 concluding sentence 4 Check that all your sentences focus on the main idea 5 See if your paragraph is interesting Goodbye! See you later 16-Dec-06 16-Dec-06 . OF A GOOD PARAGRAPH? • HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH? 16-Dec-06 WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH? • A paragraph is a basic unit of organization in writing in which a group. 16-Dec-06 HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH TEACHER : NGUYEN DICH LONG 16-Dec-06 CONTENTS • WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH? • WHAT ARE PARTS OF A PARAGRAPH? • WHAT ARE ELEMENTS