16-Dec-06 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH INSTRUCTORS: NGUYEN NGOC VU STUDENTS: PHAM KIM CHI NGUYEN THANH BINH

16-Dec-06 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi 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 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi 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 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi A topic sentence Supporting ideas A concluding sentence

16-Dec-06 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi 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 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi THE TOPIC SENTENCE Definition 3 characteristics Positions

16-Dec-06 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi 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 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi 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 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi 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

16-Dec-06 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi 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 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi THE CONCLUDING SENTENCE The concluding sentence serves three purposes: 1.It signals the end of 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 the most important ideas to think about.

16-Dec-06 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi 4 STAGES OF WRITING A PARAGRAPH Prewriting stage Writing stage Editing stage Publishing stage`

16-Dec-06 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi PREWRITNG STAGE Six Prewriting Steps: 1. Think carefully about 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 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi 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 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 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi EDITING STAGE Grammar and Spelling Style and Organization

16-Dec-06 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi 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 your writing

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 sure you have a concluding sentence. 4. Check that all your sentences focus on the main idea. 5. See if your paragraph is interesting.

16-Dec-06 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi Goodbye! See you later

16-Dec-06 Nguyen Thanh Binh Pham Kim Chi