Introductory Paragraph

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Paragraph Writing
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Paragraphs
Form
Most paragraphs contain between five to ten
sentences. The first line of a paragraph is
usually indented (begin a few spaces to the right
of the margin) to show that there is a new
paragraph.
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Key Features
Every paragraphs should have the following
features

• A Topic Sentence

• Supporting Sentences

• A Concluding Sentence

• Unity

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(No Transcript)
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Topic Sentences
Definition
Every paragraph should have a
topic sentence. This is the most important
sentence because it expresses the main idea of
the paragraph.
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Example 1
Topic Sentence
The most important problem in our city is its
inadequate public transportation system.
Thousands of residents rely on the citys
buses and streetcars to travel throughout this
large city, but Metro Transportation Systems
daily schedules are totally unreliable. A bus or
streetcar that should arrive at 745 may not
arrive until 800 or later. Moreover, it is not
unusual for a bus driver to pass up groups of
people waiting for the bus, because he wants to
make up for lost time. Unfortunately, people
often end up going to work late or missing
important appointments. In order for people to
get to their destinations on time, people must
allow for waiting time at the bus and streetcar
stops.
Supporting Sentences
Concluding Sentence
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Example 2
Topic Sentence
Motivation An important factor in learning a
foreign language has to do with the concept of
intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. When we
do something for the fun of it or because we
enjoy it, that is called intrinsic motivation.
Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is when
we do something for the purpose of receiving some
kind of external reward such as money, time off
from work, etc. Many education experts
believe that intrinsic motivation is more
powerful when it comes to helping students keep
what theyve learned. The question and challenge
for teachers today is, How can we help our
students become intrinsically motivated in what
we are teaching?
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Example 3
Topic Sentence
One of the first helpful people I met was
John. I first met John standing in a line at the
bookstore. I was having a difficult time finding
the books for the English classes I was taking my
first semester here. He not only helped me find
my books, but he also gave me some good advice on
where to get tutorial help on campus and where I
could find some good restaurants. Weve become
better friends since then and he has been so
helpful in answering any questions I have about
going to school in the U.S. and about American
culture. If I hadnt met John that day, I might
still be looking for the right books for my
classes!
Supporting Sentences
Concluding Sentence
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Topic Sentence Essentials
Complete Sentence
There are several things you need
to remember when writing topic sentences.
The first is that topic sentences are
always complete sentences.
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Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Example 1
It is not a complete sentence It is a title
Strategies of learning English.
There are many strategies that you can use
to help you learn a new language.
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Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Example 2
The sport of cross-country running has allowed me
to get in better shape and meet some interesting
people.
Topic sentence
Being a teacher is a great profession
because it allows me to work with students and be
creative.
Topic sentence
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Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Example 3
Topic sentence
Learning a foreign language has several benefits.
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Main Idea in a Complete Sentence
Example 4
Topic sentence
Playing many musical instruments has helped me
grow both personally and professionally.
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Topic Sentence Essentials
Two Parts
A topic sentence contains the topic of
the paragraph and a controlling idea.
The controlling idea limits the topic to
something very specific. It tells the reader what
the paragraph will specifically discuss.
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Example 1
Topic and Controlling Idea
Topic names the main idea or general subject of
the paragraph
Topic Sentence One of the most serious
problems in todays public schools is overcrowded
classrooms.
Controlling Idea makes a specific comment about
the subject. Tells the reader what the paragraph
will say about the main topic.
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Example 2
Topic and Controlling Idea
Topic names the main idea or general subject of
the paragraph
Topic Sentence One of the most serious
problems in todays public schools is the low
percentage of trained teachers.
Controlling Idea makes a specific comment about
the subject. Tells the reader what the paragraph
will say about the main topic.
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Example 3
This sentence does not contain a controlling
idea. This is not a good topic sentence, because
it does not limit the topic to make it more
specific.
Companies need to develop more efficient forms of
energy.
Topic Sentence Companies should develop more
efficient forms of energy such as solar
heating panels.
Controlling Idea limits the ideas in the
paragraph and makes the sentence more specific.
Topic names the main idea
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Example 4
Topic Sentence Egyptian films are getting more
expensive to produce.
Topic Sentence The Quality of Egyptian films
has decreased over the last 20 years.
Topic Sentence Egyptian films can be classified
into comedies, action films and romances.