The Paragraph A paragraph is a group of sentence about a topic. In this book, you will learn how to organize and write the following kinds of paragraphs. • In a descriptive paragraph the writer describes a person, a place, or a thing. • In an example paragraph the writer explains a topic by giving examples. • In a process paragraph the writer explains how to do something step by step • In an opinion paragraph the writer expresses his or her feelings, ideas, and opinions about a topic. • In a narrative paragraph the writer tells a story. Formatting a Paragraph Margins A paragraph must have a margin on the right and a margin on the left. This means that the paragraph begins 1 inch or ผ inches from the edge of the paper Spacing A paragraph should be double-spaced Indenting The first sentence of a paragraph must be indented. This means that it begins five spaces in from the left margin. Indenting shows the reader that a new paragraph is beginning. On a computer, you can indent with the Tab key. Connected Sentences The sentences in a paragraph should follow each other. It is not a paragraph if every sentence begins on a new line. A well-supported paragraph has at least 5 sentences and often more. Title A paragraph by itself usually has a title. This is one word or a group of words that tells what the topic is. Paragraph Organization A typical paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting sentence, and a concluding sentence. • The topic sentence introduces the topic and tells what the writer will say about the topic • The sentences that follow further explain and support the topic sentence. They are called supporting sentences • The concluding sentence often repeats the information in the topic sentence in a different way The Topic Sentence The topic sentence is usually the first or second sentence in a paragraph. It introduces a new idea. It presents the topic and explains what the writer will say about the topic. This explanation is called the controlling idea. Read the following topic sentences. In each one, the topic is my friend. The controlling ideas explain what the writer will say about the topic. These controlling ideas tell the reader what to expect in the supporting sentences. Topic Controlling ideas My friend is an honest person My friend is the funniest person I know. My friend has a terribly dangerous job A topic sentence must not be a simple fact or a specific detail. The controlling idea must say something about the topic that can then be supported, developed, or demonstrated in the supporting sentences. The controlling idea must also not be too general, or the topic sentence will be unclear. A surprise party is a kind of party. (too general) There were 14 guests at my surprise birthday party. (too specific) My classmates gave me an unforgettable surprise party for my 18th birthday The last topic sentence is effective because it introduces the topic and has a controlling idea that can be developed in the supporting sentences. The paragraph will probably tell the story of the party. Supporting Sentence Supporting sentences add information about the topic and the controlling idea. Supporting sentences can include definitions, explanations, and examples. Read the topic sentence below. Then study the types of supporting sentences that might follow it. Young people are too dependent on computers Supporting definition Dependency on computers means that young people cannot perform the normal tasks and functions of daily life without them. Supporting explanation In the days. People memorized important information, but today’s youth rely on their computers, cell phone, and PDA’s to do assignments, record number, save important information. As result, they can find themselves unprepared in an emergency such as an electrical blackout. Once their batteries die, these people will not be able communicate. Supporting example For example, I do all my schoolwork on my computer. When my computer crashed last week, I lost my only draft of an essay that was due the next day. As a result, I got a bad grade. The concluding Sentence The concluding or final, sentence of a paragraph usually reminds the reader of the topic and controlling idea of the paragraph. The concluding sentence restates the main idea. Topic Sentence I love the color red. Concluding sentence I like to live life in a strong way, so I think I will always admire the color red. In addition to restating the main idea, the concluding sentence may: • Warn the reader If you do not follow these steps, you may not get the grade that you want. • Make a prediction The automotive industry will change, and soon everyone will be driving pollution-free cars. • Give an opinion about the topic. Some people might disagree, but I think lamb is the best meat for grilling Sometimes writers signal the concluding sentence by using the phrase In conclusion. In conclusion, learning a second language has many advantages.