Paragraph

Topic s (what and why) fc #

A topic sentence in a paragraph is like the GPS in a car. It shows you (and others) where you are going and explains the point of the paragraph. Everything else is used as supporting details. The topic sentence contains two parts: the topic and a controlling idea. The topic is WHAT the paragraph is going to be about, and the controlling idea explains *WHY the paragraph is being written. The topic sentence helps your reader understand the purpose of your paragraph.

Topic = the topic(what) + controlling idea(why)

Unity, flow and connectivity. #

• Unity: One paragraph; one idea.
• Flow and connectivity within a paragraph.
• Connecting paragraphs

Another definition #

Paragraphs contain three main parts: topic sentence, supporting sentences and a concluding sentence.

A topic sentence contains the topic and an opinion, or controlling idea . It is often, but not always, the first sentence of the paragraph. Paragraphs that begin with the topic sentence move from the general to the specific. They open with a general statement about a subject (and then discuss specific examples).

Controlling Idea vs Topic sentence #

The topic sentence of a paragraph is … well, a sentence.

A controlling idea doesn’t have to be a sentence.

For example, a controlling idea might be “raising taxes.” A topic sentence might be, “Several models of funding government projects require raising taxes.” ref

E.g. #

A nutritious diet is one way of maintaining good health.

The topic of this paragraph is maintaining good health. The controlling idea is that one way to do this is with a nutritious diet.

Example 1 #

Joseph loves to spend time with his friends.

What/who is this paragraph about? Joseph. Why is this paragraph being written? To explain something that Joseph loves to do.

Example 2 #

Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth.

What/who is this paragraph about? Disneyland. Why is it being written? To show why Disneyland is the happiest place on Earth.

Elaborate from here #

Structure #

ref

• indent or skip a line don’t do both
• one central idea thesis statement or topic statement, general.
• unit of composition
• all other ideas directly related to main idea.
• length any length, but for limit to 4 to 5 sentences should be enough to avoid mistakes in longer paragraphs.
• details
  1. why important
  2. reasons
  3. example
• flow-bridges connect ideas between . One sentence should be linked to the next, use . key terms can be repeated but don’t use other words, synonyms can be used.
• end with bridge (or start with bridge) connect Paragraph to Paragraph.