Target 6-Writing a Paragraph
In Target you loomed to write your thesis statement. The thesis statement is what
Your essays about. An essay is made up of paragraphs. Each paragraph has a topic
sentence and supporting details
A topic sentence te is what each paragraph is about A topic sentence can come at
the start of a paragraph, in the middle, or at the end. It can introduce a paragraph Or
it can summarize a paragraph
When you made each concept map and outline, you wrote two or three general
ideas in words or phrases Turn those general ideas into a sentence and you have a
for a paragraph. It is important to write a good topic sentence it helps
the reader follow your line of thinking. It makes your intentions clear. A topic sentence
gives your essay clarity
In your concept maps and outlines, cach general idea topic sentence) is connected
to or followed by supporting details. These specific details support your general idea.
They help the reader understand your intentions. A topic sentence with supporting
details gives your essay clarity
Look at these examples
Example 1
A computer is a useful tool for school work. Computers make it very easy to
keep notes and write up school projects. Reference books on computer CDs
make it convenient for children to research their school projects. In addition, the
internet makes research on any subject possible from the comfort of one’s own
home Children can do all this work independently, without asking their parents
to take them to the library or buy expensive reference books for them.
Topic Sentence A computer is a useful tool for school work
Supporting Details-Computers make it very easy to keep notes and write up school
projects
Reference books on computer CDs make it convenient for chil-
dren to research their school projects
In addition, the Internet makes research on any subject possible
from the comfort of one’s own home
Example 2
It isn’t difficult to find out which programs are on TV at any given time. Most
newspapers publish a schedule of TV programs every day. Also, anyone who
watches TV regularly knows which programs she likes and which she doesn’t
like. She knows what kinds of programs each different channel tends to have. It’s
easy for everyone to avoid violent programs if they want to.
Topic Sentence -It isn’t difficult to find out which programs are on TV at any
given time
Supporting Details– Most newspapers publish a schedule of TV programs every day
Also, anyone who watches TV regularly knows which programs
she likes and which she doesn’t like.
She knows what kinds of programs each different channel tends
to have
PRACTICE
Read the following paragraphs. Write the topic sentence and the supporting details
1 Modern technology has given us a tool for controlling the TV programs we see. Most TVs
can be programmed to block certain channels. Parents use this technology to protect
their children from seeing shows that are too violent. Adults can also use this technology
to avoid seeing programs that they don’t want to see.
Topic Sentence:1.1…………………………………….
Supporting Details:1.2…………………………………
1.3………………………………………………….
1.4…………………………………………………..
2 The best thing about TV is that there is a variety of programs. There are news programs
for serious people. There are films and cartoons for people who want to be entertained.
The variety of TV programs needs to be protected, even if that means allowing some of
them to show violence.
Topic Sentence2.1…………………………………………………
Supporting Details:2.2……………………………………………..
2.3………………………………………………….
2.4…………………………………………………….
3 Physical education classes teach children important skills that they need in life. They
teach children how to work together on a team. They teach children how to set a goal
and work to achieve it. They teach children about the importance of looking after their
health.
Topic Sentence:3.1…………………………………………………..
Supporting Details:3.2………………………………………………….
3.3…………………………………………………..
3.4…………………………………………………….