WRITING TOPIC AND SUPPORTING SENTENCES

Writing strategies

A well-organized paragraph supports or develops a single controlling idea, which is

expressed in a sentence called the topic sentence.

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

CONCLUSIONCONCLUDING

SENTENCE: Restates the main idea, draws a

conclusion.

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

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  

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.

Resources

Theory and practice: http://www.elcamino.edu/academics/basicskills/DLA_EngB_Support_ECC.pdf