1. Elizabeth Celeste Coiman-Lopez, BAT, MS. Houston Community College
9/12/2018
WRITING A PARAGRAPH
Elizabeth Celeste Coiman-Lopez, BAT, MS.
Houston Community College

2. HAMBURGER STRUCTURE TOPIC SENTENCE: Main Idea of the Paragraph.
SUPPORTING IDEA #1: Explains the Main Idea.
DETAIL 1: Example DETAIL 2: Example T
SUPPORTING IDEA #2: Explains the Main Idea.
DETAIL 1: Example DETAIL 2: Example
SUPPORTING IDEA #3: Explains the Main Idea.
DETAIL 1: Example DETAIL 2: Example
Concluding Sentence:
Summarizes the Main Idea.
Similar to, but not exactly as the topic sentence.
HAMBURGER STRUCTURE

3. Coming to America Documents 2. Family, Friends Courses 2. Study Plan
WEB ORGANIZER TITLE: _______________________________ NAME: _______________________
Documents
2. Family, Friends
Courses
2. Study Plan
1.Venezuela
2. SHSU
Coming to America
3. Career
Education (Bilingual)
2.Graduation Requirements

4. Coming to America TITLE
Coming to America
TOPIC SENTENCE
Coming to America was a difficult decision to make because of the changes I had to do, from leaving my country Venezuela, to studying at Sam Houston State University, and selecting a new career.
IDEA #1
First, I decided to change the life that I had in my country Venezuela as an accountant assistant and college student, to just being a full time international student in the US.
DETAIL
Documents
2. Family, friends
IDEA #2
Next, deciding what to do at SHSU was a big challenge because of the difference in the education system and the variety of opportunities they offered.
Courses
2. Study Plan
IDEA #3
Last, I had to select the correct career for my future because I wanted to make a living with it, and I wanted to enjoy my work.
Education (bilingual)
Graduation requirements
CONCLUDING SENTENCE
In conclusion, I have had many difficulties throughout my life in America, but it was successful at the end, because I was able to be a professional and had my own family life.
OUTLINE – ONE PARAGRAPH WRITING

5. TOPIC SENTENCES vs. CONCLUDING SENTENCES
Provides the main idea of the paragraph.
OPEN SENTENCE: all 3 ideas are named: SPECIFIC
For example:
The three most popular pets in the
United States are dogs, cats, and fish.
WRITE:
First, write the sentence about dogs.
Then write about cats.
Finally, write about fish.
 NOTE: You can use an OPEN SENTENCE for the  topic sentence and a CLOSED SENTENCE for the concluding sentence or reverse it.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE:
Used to end the paragraph.
Topic sentence and concluding sentence should include the same information, but not the same exact words.
CLOSED SENTENCE: animals are generally mentioned but NOT named: GENERAL
For example:
These are several animals that
Americans prefer as pets at their
homes.
TOPIC SENTENCES vs CONCLUDING SENTENCES

6. SUPPORTING IDEAS AND DETAILS
RULES
THREE (3) SUPPORTING IDEAS giving information, descriptions, or reasons about the main idea.
TRANSITION WORDS for each idea.
TWO (2) DETAILS giving examples and explaining each idea.
Write one sentence for:
Topic Sentence
3 Idea Sentences
2 Detail Sentences
Concluding Sentence
TOTAL OF 11 SENTENCES
TRANSITION WORDS
First, Next, Last,
First, Second, Third,
Generally, Furthermore, Finally,
In the first place, Also, Lastly,
To be sure, Additionally, Finally,
In conclusion,…(concluding sentence)
SUPPORTING IDEAS AND DETAILS

7. Elizabeth Coiman-Lopez Mrs. Coiman-Lopez HCC – ESOL 0351 Writing
October 3, 2017
Coming to America
Coming to America, back in 1974, was a difficult decision to make because of the changes I had to do, from leaving my country Venezuela, studying at Sam Houston State University, and selecting a new career. First, I decided to change the life that I had in my country Venezuela as an accountant assistant and college student, to just being a full time international student in the United States. I had to fill out a lot of documents for the university I was going to attend as well as for the student visa I had to petition and get. Sadly, I had to say good-bye to my family and friends because I did not know when I was going to see them again. Next, deciding what to do at SHSU was a big challenge because of the difference in the education system and the variety of opportunities they offered here in this country. I had to take special courses to help me learn English, and I also had to have a deficiency study plan with my international advisor, because it was very important to know what I was going to do. Last, I had to select the correct career for my future because I needed to make a living with it, and I wanted to enjoy my work. I selected Bilingual Education because in the past I wished to be a teacher, so now I could make an impact in educating children who needed to learn English. I researched what I needed to do to graduate as a bilingual teacher, and I followed the plan in order that I could graduate in In conclusion, I have had many difficulties throughout my life in America, but it was successful at the end, because I was able to be a professional and had my own family life.
PARAGRAPH WRITING