What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of related sentences that develop a main thought, or
idea, about a single topic. The structure of a paragraph is not complex. There are
usually three basic elements:
(1) a topic sentence.
(2) supporting
details.
(3) Closing Sentence (conclusion)
I. Topic Sentence
What is the topic sentence?
The topic sentence which is usually the first sentence of a paragraph, expLains what the paragraph is about. This sentence introduces a generaL idea that you want to discuss in the paragraph.
For exampLe: My husband and I are happy to have known each other a very Long time. We have been married forty years. We live in Saskatoon and have three chiLdren, two dogs and one cat.
In the above example, the first sentence, My husband and I are happy to have known each other a very Long time, is the most generaL statement. The sentences that follow (controlling idea/s) provide specific details about the first sentence - how Long we have been married, how many chiLdren and animals we have.
What does it do?
It introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
How do I write one?
Summarize the main idea of your paragraph. Make clear what your
paragraph will be about.
Example: Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live in. First, Canada has an
excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable
price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well‐trained
teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean
and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As
a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.
II. Supporting Details
What are supporting sentences?
They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of a
paragraph.
What do they do?
They give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph.
How do I write them?
You should give supporting facts, details, and examples.
Example: Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live in. First, Canada has an
excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable
price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well‐trained
teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean
and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As
a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.
III. Concluding sentence
What is the closing sentence?
The closing sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph.
What does it do?
It restates the main idea of your paragraph.
How do I write one?
Restate the main idea of the paragraph using different words.
Example: Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live in. First, Canada has an
excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable
price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well‐trained
teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean
and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As
a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.
Activities
Exercise 1: Read the following paragraph:
Saskatoon is the best city in Canada! Saskatoon has a beautifuL river running through it. The University of Saskatchewan is Located in Saskatoon and many students from aLL over the worLd attend our University. Saskatoon has many community organizations that heLp peopLe. Most important, the peopLe in Saskatoon are very friendLy. We are fortunate to Live in such a wonderfuL city.
What is the topic sentence in the paragraph?
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What are the supporting sentences?
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What is the ending sentence?
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Exercise 2: Look at the supporting sentences in these short paragraphs and choose the best topic sentence.
(1) ................................................................................... Mine is ten years old, and it is always
breaking down when I need it. It costs a lot of money for repairs each year. Also, the heater
doesn’t work any more, so it is cold in the winter. I really wish I could change it.
A. My car is very old.
B. I wish I could buy a new car.
C. My car costs a lot of money.
(2)........................................................................................ The teachers are all very old and boring.
The courses are not good. The buildings are old and dirty and there is no heating in them. Worst of
all, it takes me two hours to get there. I wish I had gone to a different college.
A. My college is too old.
B. I don’t like the teachers at my college.
C. I really hate my college.
Exercise 3 – Look at the topic sentences below and choose the best 4 supporting sentences for each one.
1. Learning English is very difficult. Firstly, ________________________________
__________________________________. In addition, ___________________________
________________________. Also, __________________________________________
_________. Finally, _______________________________________________________
____________________________. I think it will take a long time to learn English well.
a) I don’t like speaking English.
b) we don’t have the chance to practise with native speakers.
c) many people in the world learn English.
d) the grammar is very different from my native language.
e) the pronunciation is difficult to get right.
f) it is easy to learn English vocabulary.
g) I have only one English class a week.
2. I hate my job. For one thing, _____________________________________
__________________________________. Another thing is that ____________________
________________________. Also, __________________________________________
_________. However, the worst thing is that ____________________________________
____________________________. I think it’s time to look for a new job.
a) my colleagues are friendly.
b) the salary is very low.
c) my boss is always getting angry and shouting at me.
d) the office is in a great location.
e) I want to work there forever.
f) I have to work until about nine o’clock every night.
g) our office building is old and dirty.
Exercise 4: Organize the following sentences
into a paragraph
- I visited my grandma on Monday
- I had a parent teacher interview on Thursday and Learned my son is very good at math!
- Another day I met my two good friends for Lunch.
- I had a very busy week but it sure was fun!
- I have been very busy this past week.
Topic Sentence:
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Supporting Sentences:
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ConcLusion:
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