1. Writing Paragraphs Paragraphs should look like a hamburger…
There should be a top,
middle,
and bottom.

2. Writing Paragraphs
The topic sentence expresses the subject and main idea of the paragraph.
The details should
explain or support the
main idea.
The closing sentence
should restate the main
idea.

3. Topic Sentences
The topic is the subject for the paragraph, or what the paragraph is about.
The topic sentence is usually the first sentence in the paragraph.
A good topic sentence should…

4. State your main idea directly
The topic sentence should also express the main idea of the paragraph.
Don’t make your reader guess your topic.
Example:
When I was a child, I was a picky eater.
Getting a puppy is a lot of work.

5. Have a focus Make sure your sentence says something important.
A good topic sentence usually expresses an opinion that is explained or supported in the details (supporting sentences) of the paragraph
Bad topic sentence:
I am a teacher
Good topic sentence:
Being a teacher is very important to me.

6. Preview the paragraph
Sometimes you can give the reader a hint about the paragraph.
For example:
There are 5 countries that I have always wanted to travel to.
When learning a new language, there are three things you should do.
This is a good method, but not always needed or possible.

7. Your topic sentence should get the reader ready to read what’s coming
Your topic sentence should get the reader ready to read what’s coming.    Here are three ways to do that:  start with a hook    (use a question or quotation)  start with a plan    (tell your reader what to expect)  start with a teaser    (build curiosity & anticipation)

8. The Hook
One way to grab your reader's attention is with an interesting quotation, question, or piece of information 
in the topic sentence:
 "I do not like to write -- I like to have written," reflected American author Gloria Steinem. or
"Have you ever eaten a sundae so big that it almost toppled over before you could finish?"
"Not all animals that have fins and swim in the ocean are actually fish."

9. The Plan
Another way to begin your essay is with a  topic sentence that lists details you'll be covering:
"My three favorite foods are spaghetti, pizza, and jelly beans." This opening sentence maps out the details your readers can expect you to discuss.

10. The Teaser
You can also build your reader's anticipation with a topic sentence that is an action statement:
"We practiced all week to get ready for the big game."  
This should help build excitement about the game, how hard you practiced, and whether that paid off.

11. The No-No
Here is a type of topic sentence that is not a very strong way to begin your essay: Example: "Hi my name is and I’m going to tell you about my dream job." The readers know you're going to tell them something, so you don't need to say it. This also does not express your main idea, just the topic. Just introduce the subject and express your main idea.

12. Choose the best topic sentence:
Topic sentences:
Japan is a very beautiful country.
Japan, for example, makes computers.
Japan is a very important country.
Japan makes cars.
Paragraph:
________________________
It produces many cars, such as Toyotas and Nissans, which it sells all over the world. It also produces electrical goods such as televisions and DVDs. Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is one of the biggest and most modern cities in the world.

13. Choose the best topic sentence:
Topic sentences:
Japan is a very beautiful country.
Japan, for example, makes computers.
Japan is a very important country.
Japan makes cars.
Paragraph:
Japan is a very important country. It produces many cars, such as Toyotas and Nissans, which it sells all over the world. It also produces electrical goods such as televisions and DVDs. Tokyo, the capital of Japan, is one of the biggest and most modern cities in the world.

14. Why aren’t the others good?
Topic sentences:
Japan is a very beautiful country.
Japan, for example, makes computers.
Japan is a very important country.
Japan makes cars.
It is an example.
It is a smaller idea, not the main idea.
It is about something different from the other sentences.

15. I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
Computers are very useful for learning English.
…………………………………………………………………….
I need to buy a new computer.
……………………………………………………………………….
I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
You can do your homework on them.
You can use them in different ways.
You can also use online dictionaries and play games in English.
I need a faster one for my college work.
My computer is very slow.

16. I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
Computers are very useful for learning English.
You can use them in different ways.
…………………………………………………………………….
I need to buy a new computer.
……………………………………………………………………….
I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
You can do your homework on them.
You can use them in different ways.
You can also use online dictionaries and play games in English.
I need a faster one for my college work.
My computer is very slow.

17. I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
Computers are very useful for learning English.
You can use them in different ways.
You can do your homework on them.
…………………………………………………………………….
I need to buy a new computer.
……………………………………………………………………….
I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
You can do your homework on them.
You can use them in different ways.
You can also use online dictionaries and play games in English.
I need a faster one for my college work.
My computer is very slow.

18. I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
Computers are very useful for learning English.
You can use them in different ways.
You can do your homework on them.
You can also use online dictionaries and play games in English.
I need to buy a new computer.
……………………………………………………………………….
I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
You can do your homework on them.
You can use them in different ways.
You can also use online dictionaries and play games in English.
I need a faster one for my college work.
My computer is very slow.

19. I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
Computers are very useful for learning English.
You can use them in different ways.
You can do your homework on them.
You can also use online dictionaries and play games in English.
I need to buy a new computer.
My computer is very slow.
……………………………………………………………………….
I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
You can do your homework on them.
You can use them in different ways.
You can also use online dictionaries and play games in English.
I need a faster one for my college work.
My computer is very slow.

20. I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
Computers are very useful for learning English.
You can use them in different ways.
You can do your homework on them.
You can also use online dictionaries and play games in English.
I need to buy a new computer.
My computer is very slow.
I need a faster one for my college work.
……………………………………………………………………….
I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
You can do your homework on them.
You can use them in different ways.
You can also use online dictionaries and play games in English.
I need a faster one for my college work.
My computer is very slow.

21. I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
Computers are very useful for learning English.
You can use them in different ways.
You can do your homework on them.
You can also use online dictionaries and play games in English.
I need to buy a new computer.
My computer is very slow.
I need a faster one for my college work.
I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
I am going to give my old computer to my younger sister.
You can do your homework on them.
You can use them in different ways.
You can also use online dictionaries and play games in English.
I need a faster one for my college work.
My computer is very slow.

23. Homework for Next Week
Write a paragraph describing your dream job, and why it’s a good fit for you. Your paragraph should:
Be at least 5 sentences long
Use paragraph formatting as discussed in class including a title, topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence.
Be on A4-sized paper
Include the CE2 cover sheet (you can download it from the class web site: kgucollegeenglish2.wordpress.com)