Necessary to write a letter 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.

PAIR WORK:   TASK Write a paragraph expressing your opinion about the influence of TV upon families.

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.

What do you want to say about the topic? TOPIC SENTENCE Topic: Introduces the general theme. What subject are you going to write about? 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. Controlling idea: Limits the topic. What do you want to say about the topic? Controlling idea: Generates a question Wh…?

Answer the question generated by the controlling idea. SUPPORTING SENTENCES Further development. 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 SENTENCE In an essay: Linking 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 beneficial for families under the right circumstances. In an essay: It often links the current paragraph to the following one. It may anticipate the topic sentence of the next paragraph. Summarizes or restates the main idea as expressed in the topic sentence.

TRANSITION WORDS Make the flow of ideas smooth and easy to read. 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.

ACTIVITY 1 Read the topic sentences carefully. Circle the topic and underline the controlling idea.

ACTIVITY 2 Read the supporting sentences and choose the best topic sentence. 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.

2. ) __________________________________________ 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.

a) Airplanes have changed our lives. 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 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/suggestion 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

Plans to attract more tourists to our area. Prompt: 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: Asks the reader to write a letter expressing an opinion or suggestion on the issue. 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,”

Plans to attract more tourists to our area. 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.

They need to be address in the letter. Questions to focus on They need to be address in the letter. 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,”

Salutation Always indent your paragraphs 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. 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 Try not to divide a word since division rules are complex. No space between paragraphs Don’t forget to sign Hellen Keller

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH MODEL 1 Where did you learn about the issue? Summarize the issue 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. What is the purpose of the letter? Why should they pay attention to your letter or opinion? What is your opinion or suggestion? Linking sentence

BODY MODEL 1 First reason, consequence or suggestion stated in a topic sentence Development of topic 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. Second reason, consequence or suggestion stated in a topic sentence Linking sentence Concluding sentence

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH MODEL 1 Conclusion: restate opinion and main points      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 Signature