bbi2421 general writing skills week 5 topic sentence supporting sentences concluding sentence

BBI2421 General Writing Skills

Week 5

• Topic Sentence• Supporting Sentences• Concluding Sentence

Paragraph

• a series of sentences that are – organised – coherent (logical)– related to a single topic

Paragraph

• contains many different kinds of information

– provides brief or long example/s of a general point– describes a place, character, or process– narrates a series of events – compares or contrasts two or more things – classifies items into categories – describes causes and effects

Three Parts of a Paragraph

• is divided into three parts (just like a burger!!!)

1. Topic Sentence

2. Supporting Sentences

3. Concluding Sentence

Topic Sentence

• is the most important sentence in a paragraph

• has two parts:1) topic

2) controlling idea

Topic Sentence

is divided into 2 parts:

1) topic• states the subject of the paragraph • e.g.: beautiful Malaysia

2) controlling idea• states what the paragraph will say about the topic• controls or limits the topic to a very specific point or points

(the precautions for, the advantages of, the reasons for, the causes/effects of, the steps for, the ways/methods for, the different types/parts/kinds, the qualities/characteristics of)

• e.g.: reasons (*why I claim so)

Topic Sentence • is usually the first sentence in a paragraph• is neither too general nor too specific

– Malaysia is a beautiful country located in the South East Asia region. too general!

– Malaysia, which recorded 24,714,324 tourist arrivals in 2011, is a beautiful country of white sandy beaches and cool refreshing hill resorts.

too specific!

Malaysia is a beautiful country in many ways. good!

Topic Sentence

Writing a topic sentence involves three easy steps.

Topic Sentence

1) Think of a topic

• avoid burglaries • effective leadership • growing up in a small town • fixing a flat tire on a bicycle is easy • air pollution in Mexico City is the worst in the

world

(Taken from http://eslbee.com/topic_sentences.htm)

Topic Sentence

2) Think about what you want to say about the topic

• by taking certain precautions • specific qualities that anyone can develop • several advantages • follow these steps

• a number of reasons

(Taken from http://eslbee.com/topic_sentences.htm)

Topic Sentence

3) Write it down!

• People can avoid burglaries by taking certain precautions. • Effective leadership requires specific qualities that anyone can

develop. • There are several advantages to growing up in a small town. • Fixing a flat tire on a bicycle is easy if you follow these steps.

• Air pollution in Mexico City is the worst in the world for a

number of reasons. 

(Taken from http://eslbee.com/topic_sentences.htm)

Supporting Sentences

What are supporting sentences?

They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of a paragraph.

(Taken from http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/paragrap/support.htm)

Supporting Sentences

What do they do?

They give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph.

(Taken from http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/paragrap/support.htm)

Supporting Sentences

How do I write them?

You should give supporting facts, details, and examples.

(Taken from http://www2.actden.com/writ_den/tips/paragrap/support.htm)

Supporting Sentences Example

Topic Sentence: Malaysia is a beautiful country in many ways.

Supporting Sentences:

1. It has white sandy beaches and cool refreshing hill resorts.

2. Modern cities with beautiful architecture in an exotic combination of eastern and western influence also add to its charm .

3. This physical beauty is further enhanced by the colourful and harmonious blend of its various culture.

Concluding Sentence signals the end of the paragraph reminds the reader of the main idea how to?

1. begin with a conclusion signal– All in all,– In brief,– In summary,– To conclude,– To summarize– To sum up,– Indeed,

Concluding Sentence

2. remind your reader of the main idea by:– repeat the idea in the topic sentence in different

words All in all, Malaysia’s beauty is evident in many aspects.

– summarize the main point or points of the paragraph To summarize, Malaysia has a potential to become the

world’s top 10 travel destinations due to its many attractions.

– never end a paragraph by introducing a new idea In conclusion, the warmth and friendliness of the

Malaysian people, too, is another of its beauty.