What is a paragraph?

A paragraph is a
sentences
that
explores, defends,
analyzes, describes,
etc. only ONE idea.

group of
supports,
examines,
develops,

Writing a paragraph
Write a paragraph about the city in Peru you
like the most.

From all the cities in Peru, the one I like the most is
Trujillo. This city offers its residents a wide range of services. You
dont need to walk for too long to find a hair salon or medical lab,
any average citizen can find almost anything he needs pretty
fast. Besides, it has many attractions to visit. Many interesting
landmarks can be explored by both locals and visitors, like ChanChan or Huanchaco beach. In a nutshell, Trujillo is a city which
can win the heart of anyone.

GROUP WORK:
You will receive a slip of paper. Some contain a
topic sentence, others contain supporting
sentences, the rest are concluding sentences.
Read your sentence silently.

Once you are told so, proceed as your

presenter indicates.

Session 2 goal
Teachers will be able to recall
how to write an opinion letter,
identifying its parts.

Writing an ECCE
opinion/suggestion
letter

What are the most popular attractions in the city?

Do you think Trujillo attracts a lot of tourists?

What can we do to boost tourism?

Model 1

Prompt:
THE CITY TIMES

Newspaper article:
Describes an issue

Plans to attract more tourists to our area.

Following meetings with members of the Town Council, the Mayor has
announced that he is planning to develop tourism on a wider scale. An
aggressive advertising campaign is planned to be started in order to
triple the number of current visitors. Local residents are divided on
this issue. Many believe it to be an excellent idea as it will bring new
Task:
life to the area. Others are concerned about the unpleasant
consequences that may arise from
an influx
of foreigntovisitors.
Asks
the reader
writeThe
a
editor would like to know more about readers views on this proposal.
Task A: LETTER

letter expressing an opinion

or suggestion on the issue.

You have read this article in your local newspaper. Write a letter to the
editor of the city times expressing your opinion on the issue. Do you
agree with the Mayors proposal? What effects do you think this plan to
develop tourism in your area will have? Start your letter: Dear editor,

THE CITY TIMES

Plans to attract more tourists to our area.
Following meetings with members of the Town Council, the
Mayor has announced that he is planning to develop
tourism on a wider scale. An aggressive advertising
campaign is planned to be started in order to triple the
number of current visitors. Local residents are divided on
this issue. Many believe it to be an excellent idea as it will
bring new life to the area. Others are concerned about the
unpleasant consequences that may arise from an influx of
foreign visitors. The editor would like to know more about
readers views on this proposal.

Questions to focus on
Task A: LETTER

They need to be
address in the letter.

You have read this article in your local newspaper.

Write a letter to the editor of the city times
expressing your opinion on the issue. Do you agree
with the Mayors proposal? What effects do you
think this plan to develop tourism in your area will
have? Start your letter: Dear editor,

Always indent
your
paragraphs

No space
between
paragraphs

Dear Editor,

Salutation

I recently read your article in the latest edition of The City Times
about the Mayors proposal to boost tourism in our city. And, as a local
resident and shop owner, I would like to express my point of view. I
believe that the results of implementing this plan will be highly
beneficial to our community. In the lines below, I will briefly outline
some reasons to support my view.
To start with, tourism is without doubt an excellent way to improve
the local economy. This would happen because visitors spend money on
accommodation, entertainment and souvenirs, all of which can be
made available in our region. Therefore, local hotel and restaurant
owners, as well as manufacturers and crafts people, would be
considerably better off financially. However, the financial aspect will
not be the only benefit.
The horizons of our local people would also be widened through
their contact with various cultures from other countries. This
interaction with tourists from different countries would promote a
better understanding of foreign customs, and would lead our citizens to
have a sense of pride in their own traditions and heritage.
Given the above, I am in favor of an increase in tourism in our region
as I believe it will enhance the quality of life for all concerned both from
a financial and cultural point of view.
Yours sincerely
Hellen Keller

Dont forget to
sign

Try not to
divide a
word since
division
rules are
complex.

Where did
you learn
about the
issue?

What is the
purpose of
the letter?

What is your
opinion or
suggestion?

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH MODEL 1

Dear Editor,

Summarize
the issue

I recently read your article in the

latest edition of The City Times about
the Mayors proposal to boost tourism
in our city. I am writing this letter to
Why should
express my point of view. As a local
they pay
resident and shop owner, I firmly believe
attention to
that the results of implementing this
your letter
plan will be highly beneficial to our
or opinion?
community. In the lines below, I will
briefly outline some reasons to support
my view.
Linking sentence

First reason,
consequence
or suggestion
stated in a
topic
sentence

Second
reason,
consequence
or suggestion
stated in a
topic
sentence

BODY MODEL 1
To start with, tourism is without doubt an
excellent way to improve the local economy.
This would happen because visitors spend
money on accommodation, entertainment and
souvenirs; therefore, local hotels and restaurant
owners, as well as manufacturers and crafts
people, would be considerably better off
financially. However, the financial aspect will
not be the only benefit.
The horizons of our local people would also
be widened through their contact with various
cultures from other countries. This interaction
with tourists from different countries would
promote a better understanding of foreign
customs, and would lead our citizens to have a
sense of pride in their own traditions and
heritage. This situation would be more than
positive for our citizens.

Development
of topic
sentence

Linking
sentence

Concluding
sentence

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH MODEL 1

Conclusion: restate
opinion and main points

Given the above, I am in favor of an

increase in tourism in our region as I
believe it will enhance the quality of life for
all concerned; both from a financial and
cultural point of view.
Closing

Yours sincerely,

Helen Keller
Signature

Model 2

THE CITY TIMES

Report finds gadget-happy teens may not be sleeping enough.
An Australian study has shown that over 50 percent of high school students
are not getting enough sleep because they are too busy playing video
games, watching TV, listening to their MP3 players, or talking on the phone
late into the night. According to one researcher, A lot of kids are reporting
that they are tired when they wake up, and there are quite a few reporting
they are sleepy during the day, which is affecting their performance at
school.
Concerned about the results of the study, a local resident and mother of
two teenagers had this to say: Maybe it is time for us parents to take away
such tech toys at bedtime so that better sleep habits can be learned in life
and extended into their adult years.
Task A: LETTER

ELT News Service

Do you think teens are hurting themselves by spending too much time using
gadgets late at night? Do you think parents should limit a teens use of these
gadgets? Write a letter to the editor of The City Times reacting to both of the
issues raised in the article. Start your letter: Dear editor.

THE CITY
TIMES
Main issue: students don`t
sleep
enough because of excessive use
Report finds gadget-happy teens may not be sleeping enough.
of gadgets
An Australian study has shown that over 50 percent of high school
students are not getting enough sleep because they are too busy
playing video games, watching TV, listening to their MP3 players, or
talking on the phone late into the night. According to one researcher,
A lot of kids are reporting that they are tired when they wake up, and
Concern:
parents
want
to
there are quite a few reporting they are sleepy
during
the day,
which
is affecting their performance at school. take away their gadgets at

bedtime

Concerned about the results of the study, a local resident and mother
of two teenagers had this to say: Maybe it is time for us parents to
take away such tech toys at bedtime so that better sleep habits can
be learned in life and extended into their adult years.

ELT News Service

Questions to focus on.

They need to be addressed in the

letter.
Task A: LETTER
Do you think teens are hurting themselves by
spending too much time using gadgets late at
night? Do you think parents should limit a
teens use of these gadgets? Write a letter to
the editor of The City Times reacting to both
of the issues raised in the article. Start your
letter: Dear editor.

Where did
you learn
about the
issue?

What is the
purpose of
the letter?

What is your
opinion or
suggestion?

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH MODEL 2

Dear Editor,

Summarize
the issue

I am writing with regard to

your article about gadget-happy
teens not sleeping enough. As a
Why should
teenager, I agree that teens
they pay
shouldn't let their tech toys cut attention to
into their sleep, but I am against your letter
or opinion?
parents taking away such toys
at bedtime! In the lines below, I
will briefly outline some reasons
to support my view.
Linking sentence

BODY MODEL 2
First answer
stated in a
topic
sentence

Second
answer
stated in a
topic
sentence

In my opinion, teens need to understand

that staying up half the night texting friends,
listening to music, and/or playing video games
is bad for us. We learned in health class that
teens who dont sleep enough cant
concentrate on their schoolwork, and they also
tend to get sick more often than teens who get
a full nights sleep. Sure, our tech toys help us
relax after a hard day, but we need to be
sensible and know when to stop.
As for parents role in this, I think
parents should help the message across, but I
dont think they need to take away such tech
toys at bed time. After all, we arent little
children. In my opinion, the best solution is for
parents and teens to discuss the problem and
agree on a turn-off time that is acceptable to
both.

Development
of topic
sentence

Concluding
sentence

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH MODEL 2

Conclusion: restate opinion
and main points

Agreeing on a teenagers bed time isnt a new

problem. My mother remembers that she used to
stay up late reading and her parents were always
shouting, Turn off the light, and go to sleep!
Parents need to take control of the situation.
Teens may not admit it, but most of us are glad
when they do.
Sincerely yours,

Closing

Marjorie Banks

Signature

Practice

Pair work:
What were your favorite subjects in school?

THE CITY TIMES

After-school music and art programs to be canceled.
In an effort to reduce spending, the Black Rock Board of Education
announced yesterday that it intends to cancel its popular after-school music
and art programs when schools reopen next year. The announcement met
with strong opposition from parents, teachers, and students of all ages,
especially in view of the fact that the day before it was revealed that
teachers would be receiving a 10% pay raise next year.
ELT News Service
Task A: LETTER
Do you agree with the plan of the BRB of education? What effects do you think
this plan to cancel the after-school programs will have? Write a letter to the
Superintendent of Schools either criticizing or praising the program cuts. Be sure
to support your ideas with reasons and examples. Start your letter: Dear
Superintendent of Schools .

Brainstorming

Using your template,

brainstorm ideas for your letter

Group work
In trios write an introductory
paragraph for your task.