paragraph writing - building blocks
DESCRIPTION
A PPT I used in my classes in China, to teach the fundamentals of paragraph writing in EnglishTRANSCRIPT
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BUILDING BLOCKSBUILDING BLOCKSFOR WRITINGFOR WRITING
BUILDING BLOCKSBUILDING BLOCKSFOR WRITINGFOR WRITING
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THE PARAGRAPHTHE PARAGRAPHTHE PARAGRAPHTHE PARAGRAPH
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BUILDING BLOCKSBUILDING BLOCKSFOR WRITINGFOR WRITING
ENGLISHENGLISH::GENERALGENERAL
TOTOSPECIFICSPECIFIC
PARAGRAPHSENTENCE
ETC.
ORGANIZATION
GRAPHICORGANIZER
or“MIND MAP”
“BRAIN-STORMING”IN PAIRS or
GROUPS
FREEWRITING
PHOTOSEXPERIENCES
MEMORIESREADING
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Definition:
A paragraph is a group of sentences that tell one idea.
THE PARAGRAPHTHE PARAGRAPH
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• Indent the first word in a paragraph (2 to 5 spaces in from the margin).
• Start with a topic sentence, telling the main idea of that paragraph.
PARAGRAPH RULESPARAGRAPH RULES
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• When you begin writing about a new idea, begin a new paragraph.
• Paragraphs answer questions about a certain topic.
PARAGRAPH RULESPARAGRAPH RULES
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EExample of a xample of a descriptivedescriptive paragraph: paragraph:
I am thirty years old, rather tall, and I have blue eyes and short black hair. I wear casual clothes as I teach students in a relaxed atmosphere. I enjoy my job because I get to meet and help many different people. During my spare time I like playing tennis, which I play at least three times a week. I also love listening to classical music, and I spend a lot of money on new CDs!
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Writing Exercise 1 Writing Exercise 1 Answer these questions about yourself on a piece
of paper:
• How old are you? • What do you look like? • What kind of clothes do you wear? Why? • What kind of job do you do? Do you like it? • What are your favorite hobbies? Why do you like
them? • Where do you live? • Do you like living there? Why or why not?
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Writing Exercise 2Writing Exercise 2I am _________ years old, I _________________
(your looks). I wear ________________ because ______________. I am a ______________. I like / don't like my job because _____________________. I enjoy ______________. I often _____________ (describe how often you do your hobby). I also like ________________ (write about another hobby) because ________________. I live in ____________. People in ____________ are ________________ . I enjoy / don't enjoy living in ______________ because ____________.
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Write your own paragraphWrite your own paragraph
• Choose ONE sentence from the first writing exercise;
• Copy it on a new piece of paper
• This is your OPENING SENTENCE
• Your partner will ask you QUESTIONS about your sentence
• Now, write a PARAGRAPH to add details and answer these questions.
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Writing in English - 1Writing in English - 1
• Start with a GENERAL statement, then add SPECIFIC details
GENERAL
SPECIFIC
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Writing in English - 2Writing in English - 2
OPENING SENTENCE
Topic – Statement - Summary
EXAMPLE 1
EXAMPLE 2
EXAMPLE 3
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Writing in English - 3Writing in English - 3
• EXAMPLE:
I like American food.
(1) I like to eat steak.
(2) I like French fries.
(3) I like to eat dessert.
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Writing in English - 4Writing in English - 4
• Now, make it more interesting. Add Adjectives and Adverbs:
I really like American food.
Sometimes I like to eat a thick, juicy steak.
I like crisp French fries on the side.
After dinner, I often like to eat chocolate ice cream for dessert.
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Writing in English - 5Writing in English - 5
• Now, put it all together.
This is a PARAGRAPH.
I really like American food. Sometimes I like to eat a thick, juicy steak. I like crisp French fries on the side. After dinner, I often like to eat chocolate ice cream for dessert.
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PRACTICEPRACTICE
Topic sentence:
Many people believe in stereotypes, or ideas that are not completely true, about people in another country.
Next step:
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PRACTICEPRACTICE
What are some stereotypes that you think that Chinese or American people have about each other?
Can you complete the paragraph?