Writing strategies: writing paragraphs

1. Writing strategies
WRITING TOPIC AND
SUPPORTING SENTENCES

2.  A well-organized paragraph supports or develops a
single controlling idea, which is expressed in a
sentence called the topic sentence.

3. TOPIC SENTENCES AND SUPPORTING
DETAILS
TOPIC SENTENCE
• Detail 1
• Detail 2
• Detail 3
Supporting sentence 1
• Detail 1
• Detail 2
• Detail 3
Supporting sentence 2
• Detail 1
• Detail 2
• Detail 3
Supporting sentence 3
CONCLUSION
CONCLUDING SENTENCE:
Restates the main idea, draws
a conclusion.

4.  A topic sentence states the main idea of a paragraph.
It is the most general sentence of the paragraph. All
the other sentences serve to explain, describe,
extend, or support the topic sentence.
 Most paragraphs will begin with the topic sentence.
However, some topic sentences come in the middle
of the paragraph; others come at the end. Some
paragraphs have no stated topic sentence at all; in
those cases, the main idea is implied

5. TYPES OF DETAILS
 Types of details will depend on the purpose of the
paragraph:
 tell a story
 show how things are alike, different, or both
 give reasons to explain something
 show a cause and effect
 describe or define something define something
 tell how to do something or how a process works
 persuade someone to believe or do something

6. SUMMARY :PARAGRAPH WRITING
 Write:
 A topic sentence ( which contains the main idea of the paragraph)
 Several supporting sentences ( which explain and develop the main
idea of the topic sentence).
 Linking words and phrases like ( for example, however, also, in
addition, moreover etc.
 Concluding sentence which summarises and /or comments on the
main idea of the paragraph.
 Look at your notes and decide what the main topic of each paragraph
will be, and how you will support and develop the topic in the body of
the paragraph.
 Write one paragraph for each of the sub-headings. Include an
introduction and conclusion at the beginning and end of your guide.

7. Resources
 Theory and practice:
http://www.elcamino.edu/academics/basicskills/DL
A_EngB_Support_ECC.pdf