Writing course Paragraphs and topic sentences

1 Learn how

Paragraphs and topic sentences help you to organize ideas more clearly for your reader. A paragraph is a group of sentences that have one main idea. A topic sentence tells your reader what the main idea of a paragraph is. Try to start each paragraph with a topic sentence. a) Read Emily’s letter to her parents. On a copy, mark where other paragraphs should start.

Underline the topic sentence for each paragraph. b) b) Think about what your partner has said and write a fi nal draft. • I started the paragraph here because … • I think this is the topic sentence. • I think this sentence goes in the next paragraph.

Hi mummy and daddy.

I’m having great time here in Kyiv. Alex’s parents are very kind. I have my own room with an amazing view over a wonderful park. But we do not stay at home during the day a lot. When I arrived we went to the theatre. Alex had tickets for a ballet “Don Quixote”. The performance was magnifi cent and the actors’ play was brilliant. The next day we went on a city tour on a double-decker bus. The route was through the historic part of the city and its oldest districts. We saw cathedrals, churches and monuments. We had audioguides which speak English. I have noticed that there are many cars in the city. Not many people ride bicycles. Also I haven’t seen any bicycle lanes yet. Public transport here is very cheap. Imagine, you can travel by the Underground for less than half a pound!!! That’s all for now. I have attached some photos with the most interesting sights to my e-mail. See you soon.

2 Now write …

Chose 1 or 2. Write at least four paragraphs about: 1 a walk through a big city, a forest, in the mountains, or by the sea. 2 a fi lm or a play you have seen

TIP

1 Before you start writing collect and organize your memories and ideas. 2 The 5 Ws (When? Where? What? Who? Why?) can help you to fi nd ideas. 3 Start a new paragraph for every new idea. 4 Use a topic sentence in each paragraph. In the other sentences add details or examples.

3 … and revise

a) Give feedback. Read your partner’s text and answer these questions: • Does it have clear paragraphs? • What is the topic sentence in each paragraph? • Do you get information about the 5 Ws? Take turns to make comments, suggestions and corrections. b) Think about what your partner has said and write a draft.