ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING

Paragraphs and Topic Sentences

paragraph is a group of sentences about a central idea. A paragraph has a clear
purpose suc h as: to list, to show causes and/or effects of something, or to argue a point.
Every part of a paragraph has specific function and every part is important. The
three main parts of a paragraph are:
 The topic sentence
 The supporting sentence
 The concluding sentence

The topic sentence tells the reader the main idea or thoughts that he writer is trying to
express. It is a one-sentence summary of the entire paragraph. Other sentences in the paragraph help
to develop the idea presented in the topic sentence. The organization of a paragraph is based on the
topic sentence.
The two main elements of a topic sentence are the topic or main subject of the paragraph and
the controlling idea. The controlling idea guides the main subject in the direction that the
writer wants to take it. Study the following examples of topic sentence .
Supercomputers are used to perform very complex tasks.
Topic/main idea controlling idea

From the sentence above, we know that the paragraph is going to discuss
supercomputers. More specifically, it will discuss some complicated tasks of super computers.
Computers have changed enormously in the past 10 years.
Topic/main idea controlling idea

This topic sentence tells us that the paragraph is going to explain how computers have changed.
In the last 10 years.

Different computers can appeal to different people.

Topic/main idea controlling idea

From this topic sentence, we know that he paragraph is going t o explain the characteristics of different
computers that appeal to different kind of people.

Computers were invented in the 20th century.

Topic /main idea

The information in this sentence is a simple fact. This is not a good topic sentence because it
does not indicate that there is anything more to say about the topic. It does not have a controlling idea
that a writer can discuss in the paragraph.
ACTIVITY 1 I Selecting a good topic sentence
For each pair of sentence check (x ) for the better topic sentence. Be prepared to explain your
choice .

1-_a. ( ) A pers on who is interviewing for a job s hould arrive on time to the interview.
b ( ) A person who is being interviewed for a job should do three important things during
the
interview
2- a ( ) Smartphones have many useful features for communication

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 b ( ) Smartphones are often used to text message

3- a ( ) Fossils are the remains of plants or animals that died a long time ago.
b ( ) There are numerous techniques that scientists use to discover the age of a fossil.

4- a ( ) There are many theories about who killed Martin Luther King.
b ( ) Luther king was assassinated on April 04, 1968.

5- a ( ) Online dictionaries can help students in two important ways .

b ( ) Online dictionaries are available in numerous language .

Activity 2/ Studying the topic sentence of a paragraph

Read the paragraph and answer the questions that follow.

Throughout history, explorers have been inspired to investigate land, space, and sea. One type
of explorer is the land explorer. Land explorers travel great distances through rough wilderness in the hopes
of making a great discovery. An example of a historical land explorer is Sacagawea. She was a Native
American guide and translator who helped lead the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1804 to 1806. Her
journey with Lewi and Clark helped to open new route from the Mississippi River to the Pacific Ocean.
Another type of explorer is the space explorer. Space explorers include the astronauts, astronomers, and
engineers who investigate outer space. Neil Armstrong who, in 1969, became the first person to walk on the
moon, is an excellent example of a space explorer. Finally, ocean explorer dive deep into the sea, looking for
answer to unsolved mysteries. Jacque Cousteau (1910-97) of France was one of the most famous undersea
explorer. in modem times. He was an oceanographer a researcher and an award-winning filmmaker. In
addition, his invention led to better scuba diving equipment. Although the explorers have answered many of
nature' mysteries, there is still much to learn. Tomorrow’s explorers are sure to answer more of these
questions.

Considering the text above answer the following questions

1 Underline the topic sentence

2.What is the controlling idea of this paragraph?

3. How many types of explorer are dis cussed in this paragraph?

4 Check ( x) the statement that tells the purpose of the paragraph.

a.( ) To explain why exploration is important,

b.( )To describe space exploration,
c.( ) To discuss type of explorer.
d.( ) To show why being an explorer is an excellent career. Five Features of a Good Topic Sentence
A well-written topic sentence has certain features:

1- It guide the whole paragraph. It lets the reader know what the rest of the paragraph will be about.
2.- It is not a well-known fact. A good topic sentence is not a general fact that everyone accepts as true. For example,
‘Most cars use gasoline’ is not a good topic sentence because there is not much more to talk about the topic.
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3-It is specific. Credit cards are useful is not a good topic sentence because it is too general. The reader does no know
exactly what to expect in the paragraph. Credit cards are useful on international trips is a more effective topic
sentence because it is specific. The paragraph will most likely explain how credit cards can be used in one particular
situation -an international trip.
4-It is not too pacific. Credit cards were invented in 1950. This sentence is too specific for a topic sentence. There is
nothing else to say. It could be a supporting sentence in a paragraph about the history of credit cards, but not a topic
sentence.
5- It includes a controlling idea . controlling idea is a word or phrase that helps guide the flow of ideas in the
paragraph: A credit card is one of the most important thing a traveler needs while on vacation . The underlined words
in this sentence are the controlling idea. The reader expects to read why or how a credit card is important on a
vacation.

Activity3 - Recognizing effective topic sentences

Read each set of the following sentences. Write the topic and check (x ) the best topic sentence.

1.Topic _________________________
a. ( ) The air conditioner is one of the most useful inventions of the 20th century.
b. ( ) Large air conditioners can be very expensive.
c. ( ) Portable air conditioners can be easily moved from room to room.
2- Topic _______________________
a. ( ) Jobs in biomedical engineering do not pay as much as those in electrical engineering.
b. ( ) Biomedical engineering is a fast-growing industry.
c. ( ) Biomedical engineers invent prosthetic device for people with disabilities .
3.- Topic __________
a. ( ) Snowboarding is a winter sport.
b. ( ) Few people know the interesting history of snowboarding.
c. ( ) Snowboards are made of fiberglass and have sharp metal edges.

Controlling Ideas:
The controlling idea in a topic sentence guides the paragraph and lets the reader know what the paragraph is going to
be about. The topic of the paragraph is limited by the controlling idea -it narrows the topic.
Here are some examples of topic sentences. The topics are boldfaced and, and the controlling ideas are
underlined

1. E-books are easier to use than print books.

The reader expects to learn what makes e-books easier to use.
2-Singapore is a very popular vacation destination.
The reader expects to learn some reasons why Singapore is a popular vacation destination.
3-There are three things to be aware of before swimming in the ocean.
The reader expects to learn about the three things to know before swimming in the ocean.

Activity 4 - I Identifying topic sentences and controlling ideas

Read each set of sentence . Check( x) the best topic sentence. Underline the controlling idea in the sentence you
choose.
1. a. ( ) Europeans drink far more coffee than people from other parts of the world.
b. ( ) Coffee is more bitter in Europe than in other countries .
c. ( ) Most European drink coffee in order to wake up in the morning.
2- a.( ) Roller coasters are frightening.
b.( ) Roller coaster safety has improved tremendously over the last 200 year .
c.( ) Roller coasters are called "Russian Mountain "in many languages.
3 a. ( ) Over one million US high school athletes participated in outdoor track-and field events la t year.
b. ( ) The sport of track-and-field began in 770 B
c. ( ) The port of track-and-field has increased in popularity in recent years.

Activity 5/ Using controlling ideas to narrow a topic.

The following topic sentences are too general. Rewrite them, and add to or change the controlling idea .

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1. Lying is bad.

2. It is important to work hard.

3. The Eiffel Tower is located in Paris.

WRITER'S NOTE Indenting

When you write a paragraph, remember to indent the first sentence. This placement is typically about (1.3 cm)
from the left margin.
Example
Singapore is a very popular vacation destination in Asia. There are several reasons why tourists love this area.

ACT1VITY 6/ Writing topic sentences

Read the two paragraphs and write a topic sentence for each one. Be sure each topic sentence includes a controlling
idea.

Paragraph 01-

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

First, breakfast gives the body fuel to change into energy. This is an important way to start the day after not eating all
night long. Without that morning meal the body may lack the necessary fuel for energy. In addition, perhaps the most
beneficial effect of eating breakfast is that digesting food "wakes up" the body' metabolism-the chemical activity
required for the body to function properly. When a person is asleep, metabolism slows down. Eating breakfast cause
the metabolism to increase in the morning. Finally, eating breakfast reduces hunger later in the morning. An individual
who do not eat breakfast tends to eat too much at lunch. It is no surprise that people have been saying for generations
that "breakfast is the most important meal of the day

Paragraph 02-

__________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________

Stage is a thing which is the oldest form of acting, occurs in front of a live audience, in places ranging from large
performance halls to mall theater. The next and most probably well-known category of acting is television acting. This
type of acting is for weekly programs that are produced in a TV studio. The third and final type of acting is film
acting for a movie. film acting is similar to TV acting, but the process is more complex, and it takes longer to make a
movie. Regardless of the type of acting, audience members appreciate actor for the many hour of enjoyment they
provide.

Paragraph 03
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Perhaps the best solution is to take advantage of job- search of each websites. Most of these services are free

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for job seekers to use. After a job seeker sets up an account it is easy to search for a particular type of job within an
industry. Additionally; the online site can store important documents with a quick click of the mouse, job seekers can
upload items such as resumes, letters of recommendation etc. Because this information is saved on the website, the
application process is much easier. Without a doubt, the use of job- search website is an efficient solution for job
seekers.