Paragraph writing
In the earlier posts, we have studied the structure of a paragraph.
A paragraph is usually built up by three types of sentences.
· Topic sentence (The topic sentence may be implied and not present.)
· Supporting sentences
· Concluding sentence (not all paragraphs have a concluding sentence)
We have learned to construct topic sentences in the previous exercises. Now we will practise writing supporting sentences for a paragraph.
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THE SUPPORTING SENTENCES
The supporting sentences develop the main idea stated in the topic sentence. They add details to the topic. Every supporting sentence in a paragraph must relate to the main idea. A sentence that does not support the main idea should not be included in the paragraph.
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Do the following exercises in your personal blog.
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Exercise 1
Read the following paragraphs carefully. Underline the supporting sentences.
Example
Of all the fruits I like, I like apple most. Apples have many points to score over other fruits. It is tasty. It is juicy. It has more iron. It has more vitamins. It is easily digestible. It can be eaten before or after meal.
1.) Cats make wonderful house pets. They are very loving and friendly. They don’t eat much, so they are not expensive. Cats are also clean and look beautiful. They’re fun to have in your home.
2.) There are many reasons I hate my apartment. The plumbing doesn’t work properly and the landlord refuses to fix it. I also have noisy neighbours who keep me up all night. Furthermore, there are so many bugs in my apartment that I could start an insect collection. I really want to move.
3.) Use of the internet has grown very quickly. In 1983, there were 562 computers connected to the Internet. By the turn of the century, there were 72.3 million computers in 247 countries on-line. Experts say that the Internet is now growing at a rate of approximately 40 percent a year. As time goes on, the Internet is becoming more and more popular.
4.) Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy diet. First, fruits and vegetables are packed with the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your body functioning smoothly. In addition, they give you the carbohydrates you need for energy. Fruits and vegetables have lots of fiber to help your digestive system work properly. Finally, many scientists believe that the nutrients in fruits and vegetables can help fight diseases. If you eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, you’ll enjoy a better health.
Source: Blanchard, K. in Root, C. 2003. Ready to Write. NY: Pearson Education - Longman
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Exercise 2
Select the items in the following list that you think would make good supporting details for the topic sentence. (There may be more than three supporting details.)
Some people think tsunamis are the worst type of natural disaster that can hit a region. (Topic sentence)
1. The huge wave of water does damage twice, when first coming in, and then going out again.
2. Their main weapon is the high wind that accompanies them.
3. They may assault an area already devastated by a coastal earthquake.
4. The shaking occurs when a fault in deep rock layers slips or gives way.
5. They can lift an entire house and twirl it around in the air.
6. The massive weight of water can sweep away protective barriers as well as buildings.
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Exercise 3
A major supporting sentence is missing from the paragraphs below.
Three possible major supporting sentences are given in the list. Fill in the blank in the paragraph with the most suitable major supporting sentence.
1. Even when we live far away, there are still many ways to help people in a country that suffers a natural disaster. ... [missing supporting sentence] … We can also organize community events to raise money and supplies to send through the Red Cross. And almost everyone has clothes and blankets they can donate, to help people who have lost their homes. Even students in school can do a lot to help people across the world who are in need.
a. One of the best ways to start is to raise money through a school fundraiser.
b. All go over as tourists to view the damage, and take lots of pictures.
c. The question is whether it’s our job to help other people or not.
2. Every good friend you have should show some important qualities. Strong loyalty is one of the best traits of a friend, because that means he or she will always stand up for you. ... [missing supporting sentence] … And most of all, a friend is willing to forgive you if you make a mistake and are sorry about it. When you both show these important attitudes to each other, you will be friends for many years.
a. Friendships sometimes don’t last, because people change.
b. Honesty is another good quality. It creates trust and confidence between friends.
c. Competing with a friend will often create hard feelings.
3. Computers and tablets are being used more and more for studying in school for several reasons. One reason is that students will grow up in a world where they will be using computers for most jobs. So they need to learn to use computers as early as they can. ... [missing supporting sentence] … And some companies are even making textbooks into files that can be used on tablets. Computers are now being used all through society, so it’s not surprising that their use in schools is also growing.
a. People can learn computers later in life and still find jobs.
b. There’s nothing students enjoy more than using interactive multimedia text during class.
c. Computer games are also used to help students learn thinking and reasoning skills.
Source: http://www.time4writing.com/writing-paragraphs/supporting-details/
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Exercise 4
Which supporting sentence is NOT related to the main idea stated in the topic sentence (A)?
1.
(A) A paragraph without a topic sentence is like a ship without a captain. (B) Ships need direction, and so do paragraphs. (C) The captain of a ship chooses the direction, and then uses the crew, wind, and rudder as support. (D) In bad weather, the ship rolls back and forth. (E) Similarly, the topic sentence establishes the direction for the paragraph. (F) Then the other sentences of the paragraph provide the support to stick to that course.
2.
(A) There are several ways people can conserve natural resources. (B) One way is to turn lights off and appliances when they are not in use. (C) Another way is to drive cars less. (D) My favourite kind of car is convertible. (E) People can also insulate their houses better. (F) Finally, by reusing things like bottles and plastic bags, people can reduce the amount of waste. (G) By practicing these simple guidelines, we can save our natural resources.
3.
(A) The Japanese automobile industry uses robots in many stages of its production process. (B) Some automobile factories in Japan use them to paint cars as they come off the assembly line. (C) Some Japanese universities are developing medical robots to detect certain kinds of cancer. (D) Furthermore, most Japanese factories use robots to weld the parts of the finished car together. (E) In fact, one large Japanese auto factory uses robots in all of its production stages. (F) The use of robots has become an important practice in the Japanese automobile industry.
4.
HOW TO LIVE ON A TIGHT BUDGET
(A). In order to keep a tight budget, you have to find a second job, keep a record of your money, and take care with your free time. (B) The first step is to think of getting a second or third job because doing so has two advantages: you can make more money, and you have less time to spend the money! (C) Secondly, you must record all the money that you receive and spend. (D) Don’t forget to include money you spend regularly, such as gas, rent, car insurance, and electricity; also, keep in mind any special checks you write, such as those you write for food, new shoes, and vacations. (E) Finally, think about how you spend your free time; try to spend your free time without spending money! (F) Moreover, you should take a deep breath from your stressful work life and go on a good holiday resort for a weekend. (G) Consequently, you will save money, time, and worry by following these steps.
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Exercise 5
Write a suitable major supporting sentence for the paragraphs below.
1.) In my opinion, children should grow up in the big city for three reasons._______________________________________________________________. For example, when I was a child, I used to live in a big apartment, so I had many friends in my apartment. The second reason why children should grow up in the city is that children can gain more cultural experience. City children go to the museums, theatres and cinemas. In addition, they have a better opportunity to see movies, shows and other kinds of entertainment. The third reason is there are more opportunities for city children to involve in activities. For example, city children can join sports teams, dance classes or take an art course after school because there are many such programs in a big city for children of all ages. In conclusion, the city is the best place a child to grow up.
2.) It is easy to save money if you follow these three steps. To begin with, keep a record of your expenses. For example, keep a small notebook with you at all the times and write every expense. Secondly, _____________________________________. It is easier to overspend when you’re pulling from a credit card account because you don’t know exactly how much is in there. If you have cash, you can see your money running low. Lastly, open a savings account. It’s an easy way to keep track of your savings if you have them separate from your spending money. To sum up, you can even be a millionaire if you follow these three steps.
