Introduction to English Writing – How to Write A Good Paragraph?

Introduction to English Writing –How to WriteA Good Paragraph? By Monica Tsai

A Good Paragraph: • Form: Topic Structure Organization • Content Grammar Words Content

A paragraph = One topic sentence + Supporting sentences + Conclusion (Summary)

Topic Sentence • A topic sentence must be a complete sentence. • A topic sentence is usually a clear and direct sentence. • The subject of the topic sentence is usually the subject idea of the paragraph.

Topic Sentence • The verb and the complement of the topic sentence usually show the focus of the paragraph. • The focus part of the topic sentence usually presents a judgment or attitude of the subject. • A subordinate word group is sometimes used in the topic sentence to define the focus still further.

So … Topic Sentence = Subject + Focus

Examples: • Leaving home was one of the hardest thing I have ever had to do. • My homeis an old but comfortable building near the downtown area in the capital of my country.

Examples: • Monica is a widely popular teacher at a junior high school. • In recent years, learning a second foreign language has become a new trend in Taiwan.

Supporting Sentences: Supporting sentences follow the topic sentence to provide evidence for the subject’s (the writer’s) judgment or attitude .

Conclusion (Closing Sentence): A paragraph usually ends with a ‘closing sentence’ to sum up the whole paragraph. It is usually a restatement of the subject’s (the writer’s) judgment or attitude.

Example Paragraph: I like to sing. Therefore, I have taken part in a choir for many years. I have learned singing and met different people in the choir. I have chances to go abroad to give performance every year. I have a lot of unforgettable experiences and beautiful memories from singing.

Analysis • Topic sentence: I like to sing. • Supporting sentences: Therefore, I have taken part in a choir for many years. I have learned singing and met different people in the choir. I have chances to go abroad to give performance every year. • Conclusion: I have a lot of unforgettable experiences and beautiful memories from singing.

The Three Parts of A paragraph: • Topic sentence  the beginning • Supporting sentences  the body • Closing sentence  the conclusion

Practice Makes Perfect • Now, it’s your turn to write a paragraph. 1. My Winter Vacation 2. The Person I Admire Most 3. The Importance of Exercise

Practice Makes Perfect • (1) Do you prefer to spend your free time alone or with friends? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. • (2) If you could choose your future job, what would you like to be? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. • (3) If you could create a new holiday, what would it honor and how would you like people to celebrate it? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer. (4) Some people prefer to spend their free time outdoors, and others prefer to spend their free time indoors. Which one do you prefer? Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Picture-Based Writing Tip 1: 時空配置法說明畫面發生的時間及空間，為故事發展構築舞台、背景 Tip 2: 背景襯托法: 將一些元素 (天氣、季節)置入時空，增加背景資料，襯托故事 Tip 3: 色彩塗抹法: 善用色彩使得文章畫面由黑白轉向彩色 Tip 4: 角色介紹法: 描述人物身上或週邊的物品，使文章中人物形象更加清晰 Tip 5 : 資料補充法: 只要背景不離題，皆可陳述在寫作上

Picture-Based Writing Tip 6: 動態呈現法: 加入角色所表現的動作，給予較活潑生動的畫面 Tip 7: 音響效果法: 如同電影的音效，可使原本平淡的動作或畫面增添戲劇性 Tip 8: 感情表現法: 加入的表情或心情的敘述，可使人物更顯得栩栩如生 Tip 9: 自問自答法: 可用問答形式表達主角人物的思考 Tip 10 : 分詞修飾法: 用分詞 (Ving/ P.P.) 附帶描寫主詞的動作，將不重要的動作移至次要位置，表補充說明，如同戲劇中的燈光效果

Introduction to English Writing – How to Write A Good Paragraph?