How to Write A Good Paragraph

Lecture One

How to write topic sentence

What is paragraph?

Paragraph is a group of sentences, expressing a single central idea, including topic sentence, supporting sentence and concluding sentence. It is the basic unit of an article.

My mother has passed along to me certain rules for getting along with others. ①Don't argue with parents ； they will think you don't love them. ②Don't argue with children ； they will think themselves victimized. ③Don't argue with spouses ；they will think you are a tiresome mate. ④Don't argue with strangers ； they will think you are not friendly. My mother's rules, in fact, can be summed up in two words ： Don't argue.

What is topic sentence?

Topic sentence is the one that expresses the topic of the paragraph. It sums up the whole paragraph, requiring all the other sentences of this paragraph to evolve from it.

What are the characteristics of topic sentence?1. It is usually the first sentence of that

paragraph.

Raise a question or state your opinion in the first sentence. It can grab the reader’s attention and put them in the reading mood.

2. It is usually a simple sentence. Bring out the topic briefly and clearly. Which one is suitable to be a topic

sentence?People’s view on the holiday economy varies from person to person.It is well known that holidays are important for us and concerning the holiday economy, different people have different opinions.

3. It is usually argumental. Our opinion, topic, must be stated. The

supporting sentences, therefore, can evolve from it.

For example:Twenty students attended the school’s Christmas party.

This sentence just states a fact, making it hard for us to organize the supporting sentences.

4. simple but specific

Apart from briefly stated topic, topic sentence also must have controlling idea. They make topic sentence specific---- not only let the reader know what is the paragraph about but also let them know how it will develop.

For example:

Spring is my favorite season.

topic controlling idea

Please point out which is topic and which is controlling idea.

Why are young people so enthusiastic about computer?

The rate of traffic accidents has dropped considerably in recent years.

It is more convenient for people to live in city than in country.

He can fix a bicycle himself.

He can fix a bicycle himself in several simple steps.

There are several reasons why he can fix a bicycle himself.SP

Choose the best topic sentence

Topic: College Life

Topic sentence1: I can hardly forget my college life.

Topic sentence2: I came to college to make friends.

Topic sentence3: My college is much colorful than my high school life.

Change Outline into Topic Sentence

Topic: Trying to Be a Good University Student

You should write at least 120 words and you should base your composition on the outline below:

1.做合格大学生的必要性；2.做合格大学生的必备条件；3.我打算这样做。

1. It is very necessary to be a good university student.

2. There are several aspects of necessity to be a good university student.

3. What I will do in the future is as follows.

Exercise

Private cars benefit both individuals and nation.

It is very convenient for people to drive to work, study and do many other things. By encouraging people to buy cars, the nation can stimulate consumption and the domestic demand, and enhance the national economy.

Exercise

Some people think that sports benefit us in many respects. ___________________

__________________________________

__________________________________

Sentence pattern

1. There are numerous reasons why…, and I shall explore here only a few of the most important ones.

2. The answer to this problem involves many factors.

different 3. There are several reasons for this a number of a variety of unhealthy situation undesirable tendency deplorable phenomenon dramatic growth/decline significant change in… marked increase/decrease

account for

contribute to

4. A multitude of factors could lead to

result in

give rise to

failure/success

the development in…

increase/decrease

change

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