NTUT Academic Writing

(VII): An Overview on
Paragraphs

 Paragraph Structure:

Topic Sentence:
not only names the topic but also limits the
topic to one or two areas or called
controlling ideas.
Ex. Gold (topic), a precious metal, is prized
for two important characteristics.
(controlling ideas)
Supporting sentences: reasons, examples,
facts, statistics, and quotations.
Concluding sentence: signals the end and
summarizes the points.

 Unity & Coherence:

Unity: discuss only one idea in a paragraph. (In

the example, specifically the characteristics of
gold, not its price or gold mining.)

Coherence requires:
(1) logical order;
(2) transition signals (In the example, gold is
both beautiful and useful.);
(3) respective supporting details and
examples.

 How to Write a Title:

(1) Prepositions of more than 5 letters

may be
capitalized.
(2) The title is not underlined.
(3) The title is not enclosed in
quotation
marks, nor is it ended in a period.

 The Topic Sentence

Noteworthy Points:

(1) It is a complete sentence.

(2) Contains both a topic and a controlling idea.
Ex. Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness.
Registering for college classes can be a frustrating
experience for new students.
(3) Expresses only the main/most general idea; does not
give any specific details.
Ex. The Arabic origin of many English words is not
always obvious.
(too specific) The slang expression so long is
probably a corruption of the Arabic
salaam.
(too general) English is a difficult language to learn.

 Position of Topic Sentences: first,

last or both(add table 2)

 Test Yourselves:

(I) a. It enables customers to do several

banking transactions 24 hours a day.
b. In addition, a customer can transfer
funds between accounts or get a cash
advance on a credit card.
c. An automate teller machine (ATM) is a
convenient miniature bank.
d. For example, a customer can use an
ATM to deposit money and withdraw a
limited amount of cash.

(II) a. After an attack by a great white, 462 stitches were

required to sew up an Australian scuba diver.
b. With their razor-sharp teeth and strong jaws, great
white sharks are very dangerous.
c. Nevertheless, one did just that near a public beach
in Australia in 1985.
d. Even when they attack humans, however, great
whites do not usually eat them
e. It bit in half and totally devoured a young female
swimmer.
f. Great whites do not usually attack humans, but
when they do, they always cause serious injury
and even death.

(IV) a. In time, this melted part rises as a magma.

b. The formation of a volcanic eruption is a
dramatic series of events.
c. As the plate sinks, friction and the earths
heat cause part of it to melt.
d. The magma produces heat, steam, and pressure.
e. First of all, most volcanoes are formed where
two plates collide.
f. Then one of the plates is forced under the other
and sinks.
g. When the heat, steam, and pressure from the
magma finally reach the surface of the Earth, a
volcanic eruption occurs.

 The Two Parts of a Topic

Sentence:
Ex.

Convenience foods are easy to

prepare.
The native foods of Americas
immigrant population are reflected in
American cooking.

The average American teenager

consumes enormous quantities of
junk food.

 Test Yourselves: identify the parts

of a topic sentence

1. Driving on freeways requires nerves of steel.

2. The Caribbean island of Trinidad attracts tourists because of
its calypso music.
3. Living in an American college dormitory can be a stressful
experience for newly arrived international students.
4. Many religious rules developed from the health needs of
ancient times.
5. The spread of AIDS can be slowed by educating the public.
6. A major problem for international students is taking essay
examinations.
7. Participating in class discussions in English is a problem for
international students.
8. In my opinion, many television commercials for cosmetics lie
to women.
9. Owning an automobile is a necessity for me.
10. It is an expensive luxury to own an automobile in a large city.

 Writing Topic Sentences:

(Too general) American food is terrible.

(Too specific) American food is tasteless and greasy

because Americans use too many canned, frozen, and
prepackaged foods and because everything is fried in
oil or butter.

(Good) American food is tasteless and greasy.

(Too many unrelated ideas) San Francisco is famous for

its temperate climate, its many tourist attractions, and
its cosmopolitan atmosphere.

(Good) San Francisco is famous for its cosmopolitan

atmosphere.

 Test Yourselves:

 Your Concluding Sentence Must:

1.

Signal the end of the paragraph;

2.

Summarize the main points of the

paragraph;

3.

Give a final comment on the topic

and leave the reader with the most
important ideas to think about.

 End-of-Paragraph Signals:

 Find Topic Sentences And Write Your Own

Concluding Sentences: