Writing: How to Write A Paragraph

5) Example of a paragraph

(Topic sentence) People have the power to make themselves feel better. (First supporting sentence. It defines.) So many people around the world live unhealthy lifestyles and don't realize that the quality of their lives could be much more higher. (Second supporting sentence. It gives examples.) Every country have people who for example, eat too much junk food, get very little exercise, do not get enough sleep, smoke cigarettes and drink alcohol. (Third supporting sentence. It explains.) Clearly these people are not thinking so much about their health. (Fourth supporting sentence. It explains.) These same people often complain about getting sick or feeling tired all the time. This is because they don't realize how they are causing their own problems. (Concluding sentence. It rephrases the topic sentence.) If they started considering their health more importantly, they would make changes to improve the quality of their lives.

1) Paragraph structure

Any paragraph should include the following parts: 1- The topic sentence: which tells the reader what the main idea of the paragraph is. 2- The supporting sentence: which develops and supports the topic sentence with examples, details and explanation. 3- The concluding sentence: which gives closure to the paragraph and gives the reader a hint that the idea is finished.

6) Punctuation

Indent the first sentence of the paragraph. (Leave five spaces before you write the first sentence.) - Use a period (.) at the end of every sentence. - Don't use point/bullet form. - Capitalize the following: 1- Pronoun "I" 2- Beginning of a sentence 3- Names of people, places, months, days of the week and holidays 4- Tiles of books, games or programs

2) Part 1: the topic sentence

It is the main idea of the paragraph. Usually it's the first, sometimes the second sentence of your paragraph. Everything you write further in this paragraph should describe, support and provide details for your topic sentence. Examples: - I love going out for dinner. - My dog had a terrible experience last week. - Police are important part of the community. Notes: - Main idea can't be too general or specific. - Don't announce your topic. - Don't mention more than one main idea in a paragraph. Examples: 1- I want to write about when I was in school. This topic sentence has two problems: - Too general: when I was in school. - Topic is announced: I want to write about. 2- Students always made stupid jokes and made fun of me. This topic sentence a problem: - Too specific and contains many details. It's hard to explain these details further in the paragraph.

3) Part 2: the supporting sentence

which adds information about the topic sentence. It supports it through examples, details and explanation. Example: - I spent the best years of my life helping people building houses in Costa Rica. Usually a supporting senescent should: 1- Define the topic sentence: which means you have to talk about it a little more and tell the reader what you mean. Example: - I was the happiest I've ever been when I lived in the small island country. 2- Explain why: which means you have to give reasons to explain the topic sentence or even the first supporting sentence. Example: - I felt so good about myself because all I did was help others all the day. I helped families get a new place to live and built schools or community centers where people can learn and work together to make a better life. It was so great to help others. 3- Give examples: to provide the reader with more information and make it easy for him/her to understand your topic sentence and the previous supporting sentences. Example: - For example, the Rodriguez family of six people had their house destroyed by a hurricane. They had lived a tent for four years. I helped them finally have a proper home again. It was the most amazing gift I have ever given to someone.

4) Part 3: the concluding sentence

which reminds the reader about the topic of the paragraph. In other words, you should define the topic sentence AGAIN but in other words. Example: * If the topic sentence of a paragraph is: My father taught me the importance of saving money. * The concluding sentence should be like this: As you can, see money is very important for my dreams in life so I am thankful my father showed me how to save. Concluding sentences often begin with these phrases: - As you can see, ... - In short, .. - On the whole, .. - That's why, .. - In conclusion, .. - In brief, ...