9/24/2018

UNDERSTANDING PARAGRAPH
By:
• Name: Heri Wahyudi
• NIM: 17018043
• Class: K-2017
 2

What is Paragraph?
 A paragraph (from the Greek paragraphos, "to write
beside" or "written beside") is a self-contained unit of a
discourse in writing dealing with a particular point or
idea. Paragraphs consist of one or more sentences. The
start of a paragraph is indicated by beginning on a new
line. ...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paragraphs

 Paragraphs are groups of interrelated sentences that

develop a central topic. Generally governed by a topic
sentence, a paragraph has its own unity and coherence
and is an integral part of the logical development of an
essay.
www.pearsoned.ca/text/flachmann4/gloss_iframe.html
What is Paragraph?
 Paragraph - This is a distinct subdivision in a text. In
your essay, you should break up the text into several
paragraphs. Each paragraph develops a separate
thought, and makes one statement only.

en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Writing_Better_University_Essa
ys/Glossary

 Paragraph - A series of sentences which are about one

aspect of a topic.

universitywriting.shu.ac.uk/defs.htm
 Essential Parts of
Paragraphs
TOPIC=
WHAT (Thing, person, idea)
the paragraph is about.
In Noun Phrase

MAIN IDEA:
WHAT the author wants
Three Essential to communicate about the topic.
(Core) Elements of a Paragraph (In Sentence)

DETAILS:
the proof, support, explanation,
reasons,
or examples that explain
the main idea.
 Topic
 To understand a paragraph, it’s important to find the topic
 Finding the topic should be the first step you do after
reading.
 Every sentence in a paragraph discusses the topic.
 The one or two words you would choose as a title of the
paragraph are the topic.
 A topic is usually expressed as a word or phrase, never
complete sentence
 To find the topic of a paragraph ask yourself: What is the
one thing the author is discussing throughout the
paragraph? Or WHO or WHAT is this paragraph about?”
Can you find the topic?

Water is an amazing resource.

Everyone in the world depends upon
it. Every creature needs water to
survive. Without water, we would not
last long. Water makes our world
beautiful.
 7

Can you find the topic?

Colonial Williamsburg is a great place

to visit. In Williamsburg, you can see how
people lived in colonial times. There are
guides in costumes who can show you to
taverns, shops, and houses. You can even
sample some colonial food at the restored
taverns! One visit to Williamsburg will make
you feel as if you have been transported to the
1700s.
 8

Main Idea

 The MAIN IDEA is the “big point” or the

most important idea that the writer is
communicating to the reader.
 It is like the heart of the text or a paragraph.
 It is the controlling idea.
 All the other supporting details in the text or
within a paragraph should tell us more
about the main idea.
 It is usually expressed as a sentence
 TOPIC SENTENCE
 The sentence that states the main idea—the
author's most important point, is topic sentence

 The Topic sentence is the most important idea: it

is the idea that the whole paragraph explains or
supports.

 A topic sentence is the sentence that states the

main idea, the author's most important point.

 A topic sentence is always a complete sentence,

never a phrase, or a question.
 Position of topic
sentence
First
▫ Most often the topic sentence is placed first in
the paragraph.
Last
▫ A writer leads up to the main point & then
directly states it at the end
Middle
▫ The sentences before the topic sentence lead up
to or introduce the main idea. Those that follow
the main idea explain or describe it.
First and Last
▫ To emphasize an important idea.
▫ To explain an idea that needs clarification.
Tips for Finding the Topic
Sentence
1. A topic is usually more "general" than the
other sentences, that is, it talks about many
things and looks at the big picture. Sometimes it
refers to more that one thing. Plurals and the
words "many", "numerous", or "several" often
signal a topic sentence.

2. Detail sentences are usually more "specific"

than the topic, that is, they usually talk about
one single or small part or side of an idea. Also,
the words "for example", "i.e.", "that is", "first",
"second", "third", etc., and "finally" often signal a
detail.
Tips for Finding the Topic
Sentence
3. Most of the detail sentences support,
give examples, prove, talk about, or point
toward the topic in some way.

4. A question will never be a topic sentence.

Where is the topic sentence in this
paragraph?

Sleep problems can be avoided if you

follow a few simple guidelines. First, don’t
drink alcoholic beverages or drinks with
caffeine before bedtime. Next, do not
exercise within three hours of bedtime.
Finally, plan a sleep routine. Every day, go
to bed at the same time and get up at the
same time.
Where is the topic sentence in this
paragraph?

Sleep problems can be avoided if you

follow a few simple guidelines. First, don’t
drink alcoholic beverages or drinks with
caffeine before bedtime. Next, do not
exercise within three hours of bedtime.
Finally, plan a sleep routine. Every day, go
to bed at the same time and get up at the
same time.
Where is the topic sentence in this
paragraph?

To avoid sleep problems, you should not drink

alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before
bedtime. Another way to avoid sleep problems is
to not exercise within three hours of bedtime. A
final way to prevent sleep problems is to plan a
sleep routine. Every day, go to bed at the same
time and get up at the same time. As can be seen,
sleep problems can be avoided by following the
above simple guidelines
Where is the topic sentence in this
paragraph?

To avoid sleep problems, you should not drink

alcoholic beverages or drinks with caffeine before
bedtime. Another way to avoid sleep problems is
to not exercise within three hours of bedtime. A
final way to prevent sleep problems is to plan a
sleep routine. Every day, go to bed at the same
time and get up at the same time. As can be seen,
sleep problems can be avoided by following the
above simple guidelines
Supporting Details
 To prevent any misinterpretation or
misunderstanding

 The supporting details are the things that

describe the main idea.
 These supporting details make the main idea
stronger.

 Details consists of specific information such

as examples, explanations, descriptions, proof,
and statistics.

 Who, what, when, where, why, how? The

answers will be in the details.
WHAT IS AN USTATED MAIN
IDEA?"

MAIN
IDEA
MAJOR MINOR
SUPPORTING SUPPORTING
DETAILS DETAILS
SUPPORTING
DETAILS
MAJOR MIMOR
SUPPORTING SUPPORTING
DETAILS DETAILS
Determine the topic, main idea,
details (major & minor) this
paragraph!

(1) For students who are learning a SL/FL,

reading is the most crucial skill to master due to several
reasons. (2) First, students can usually perform at a
higher level in reading than in any other skills. (3) They
can quite accurately understand written materials that
they could not discuss orally or in writing with
equivalent accuracy or thoroughness. (4) Such condition
will undoubtedly enhance their motivation to learn. (5)
Second, reading necessitates very minimum
requirements. (6) Different from speaking which
requires opportunities to interact with sparring partner,
or from writing which needs a lot of guidance and time to
practice, reading necessitates only a text and motivation.
(7) Third, reading is a service skill. After learning how to
read effectively, students will be able to learn effectively
by reading.
Determine the topic, main idea,
details (major & minor) this
paragraph!

(1) For students who are learning a SL/FL,

reading is the most crucial skill to master due to several
reasons. (2) First, students can usually perform at a
higher level in reading than in any other skills. (3) They
can quite accurately understand written materials that
they could not discuss orally or in writing with
equivalent accuracy or thoroughness. (4) Such condition
will undoubtedly enhance their motivation to learn. (5)
Second, reading necessitates very minimum
requirements. (6) Different from speaking which
requires opportunities to interact with sparring partner,
or from writing which needs a lot of guidance and time to
practice, reading necessitates only a text and motivation.
(7) Third, reading is a service skill. After learning how to
read effectively, students will be able to learn effectively
by reading.
WHAT IS AN USTATED MAIN
IDEA?"
 Some paragraphs have no topic sentence.
 This does not mean that there is no main
idea in the paragraph.
 When a paragraph has no topic sentence, the
supporting details suggest the main idea.
 The main idea is implied, or unstated, which
means that you have to figure it out by
yourself.
 An implied main idea is a sentence that the
reader composes rather than a statement
found in the selection.
Unstated Main Idea
Detail

Detail A C Detail
Unstated
Main
Idea

Detail E D Detail
Questions for Finding the
Implied Main Idea
1. What is the topic, of the paragraph?
2. What are the major supporting details?
3. Based on the details about the topic,
what point or main idea is the author
trying to get across? What is the
author's main point about the topic?
What is the author saying about the
topic?
Your answer

 Your answer should not be too

general nor too specific.
 Try to make it broad enough to
include all the supporting details in
the paragraph,
 and make sure you state it in a
complete sentence.
 Finding Unstated
Main Idea
Implied
Main Ideas

Find Write the

the topic. implied
main idea in
What is the your own
author’s main words.
point about
the topic?
 What is Main Idea of
this Paragraph?

Yellow is a bright, cheery color; it is often

associated with spring and hopefulness. Green, since
it is a color that appears frequently in nature (trees,
grass, plants), has come to suggest growth and
rebirth. Blue, the color of the sky, may suggest
eternity, or endless beauty. Red, the color of both
blood and fire, is often connected with strong
feelings such as courage, lust, and rage.
 Topic : Color
Details Unstated Main Idea
What is the implied main
idea?
Fear drains color from our faces, makes our teeth
chatter, our hearts pound, our breath quicken, and our
knees knock. Fear churns our stomachs, raises goose
bumps, and causes jitters. Fear also raises feelings of
anxiety and distrust, and may even cause us to change
our behaviors. Obsessive fear can become a phobia
that keeps us from enjoying life.

__Phobias keep us from enjoying life.

__Fear affects us in several ways.
__Fear is the result of distrust and anxiety.
__Fear affects many people.
What is the implied main
idea?
Fear drains color from our faces, makes our teeth
chatter, our hearts pound, our breath quicken, and our
knees knock. Fear churns our stomachs, raises goose
bumps, and causes jitters. Fear also raises feelings of
anxiety and distrust, and may even cause us to change
our behaviors. Obsessive fear can become a phobia
that keeps us from enjoying life.

__Phobias keep us from enjoying life.

__Fear affects us in several ways.
__Fear is the result of distrust and anxiety.
__Fear affects many people.
What is the implied main
idea?
Green tea has been used for thousands of years in Asia
as both a beverage and an herbal medicine. This herbal tea
contains catechin, which is a type of tannin that acts as an
astringent. Research suggests that men and women in
Japan who drink five to six cups of green tea each day have
much lower rates of cancer than people who do not. Green
tea is also thought to lower cholesterol and blood sugar,
control high blood pressure, stop tooth decay, and fight
viruses. Green tea has even been credited with the power to
slow down the aging process.

__Green tea is an ancient herbal drink.

__Green tea has caught the attention of medical researchers.
__Green tea has many positive properties as a health drink.
What is the implied main
idea?
Green tea has been used for thousands of years in Asia
as both a beverage and an herbal medicine. This herbal tea
contains catechin, which is a type of tannin that acts as an
astringent. Research suggests that men and women in
Japan who drink five to six cups of green tea each day have
much lower rates of cancer than people who do not. Green
tea is also thought to lower cholesterol and blood sugar,
control high blood pressure, stop tooth decay, and fight
viruses. Green tea has even been credited with the power to
slow down the aging process.

__Green tea is an ancient herbal drink.

__Green tea has caught the attention of medical researchers.
__Green tea has many positive properties as a health drink.
• 2. Maria is watching too much television. A toddler
shouldn’t be spending hours staring blankly at a
screen. Worse yet, some of her wild behavior has
been inspired by those awful cartoons she watches.
We need to spend more time reading books with
her and pull the plug on the TV!

What is the main idea of this paragraph?

a. Watching a lot of television isn’t good for
Maria.
b. Books are good.
c. All cartoons are bad.
d. Some cartoons are bad for Maria.
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Thank You