POST 6

In the earlier posts, we have examined the structure of a paragraph.

A paragraph is usually built up by three types of sentences.

·        Topic sentence

·        Supporting sentences

·        Concluding sentence (not all paragraphs have a concluding sentence)

In the previous exercise, we have learned to construct topic sentence and supporting sentences for a paragraph.

Lastly, we will practise writing the concluding sentences for a paragraph.

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CONCLUDING SENTENCE

Some paragraphs end with a concluding sentence which

·        states the main idea of the paragraph again using different words.

·        summarizes the main points of the paragraph, or

·        makes a comment on the topic.

Examples of concluding sentence:

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(Topic sentence: Kuala Lumpur has several fascinating attractions.)

Concluding sentence:

1.     Kuala Lumpur has become a must visit city because of its many interesting sites. (Restating the topic sentence)

2.     Kuala Lumpur would be a wonderful city for people to visit. (Comment)

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(Topic sentence: The increase in crimes is due to several major factors.

Concluding sentence:

1.     There are many factors accounting for the increase in crimes, urbanisation, unemployment, and poverty are the major ones. (Summarising the main points)

2.     By implementing measures that can tackle the problems mentioned, the government would be able to control the increase in crimes, especially in the cities. (Comment)

Concluding sentences are not always necessary. Short paragraphs that are part of a longer essay often do not have concluding sentences.

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Do the following exercises in your personal blog.

Have fun!

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Exercise 1

Underline the concluding sentence in the following paragraphs

Paragraph A

My bedroom is the most comfortable place in my house. It has become my favourite room since I moved to this house five years ago. Actually it is not too large, but it is spacious enough. It looks like a small cottage with a bed placed in the corner of its room. If you enter my bedroom, you can see a table and a chair next to the bed as my place for studying. If you look around my bedroom, you will find a colourful wall. It is a combination of attractive colours like pink, violet and blue. The colours are mixed perfectly. For me, my bedroom is my little palace.

Adapted from www.montgomerycollege.edu/.../Descriptive%20ParagraphGIRL'S%20R...

Paragraph B

Regardless of how we spend our time, there are only 24 hours in a day. In order to do well later in life, students must develop sound time-management skills early in their academic careers. The first step is to get enough sleep at night. Students are less able to accomplish anything if they’re just too tired. Then they need to set priorities. If one assignment is due tomorrow, while another is due next week, do tomorrow’s assignment first. It’s useful to create a schedule of upcoming tasks a few days ahead of time, and then stick to it. Each evening, the student can create a to-do list for the next day. By staying on top of school work this way, students will develop time-management skills they can use in their jobs.

Adapted from http://www.time4writing.com/downloads/PDFs/Printable-WritingParagraphs-TopicSentence-MS.pdf

Paragraph C

Disneyland is the greatest theme park in Southern California. Their rides range from thrilling to relaxing, so there is something for everybody, no matter their age. Restaurants of all kinds can be found to accommodate every taste. Each and every “land” has its own theme and feel to it. One can meet the heroes and villains of his favorite Disney stories, encounter princesses such as Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, rocket into the outer reaches of darkest space and battle galactic bad guys.

Adapted from http://esl.fis.edu/learners/read/irrelev3.htm

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Exercise 2

Choose the best concluding sentence for the paragraph.

A.

Potatoes can be cooked in many ways. Baked potatoes and mashed potatoes are two popular dishes. Then there are French and fried potatoes. Of course, there is also tasty potato salad. And don’t forget potato pancakes and potato chips. ________________________________.

1.     Many potatoes are grown in the state of Idaho.

2.     The potato is a vegetable that grows in the ground.

3.     A potato can last a long time without spoiling.

4.     There must be dozens of ways to cook potatoes.

Source: http://www.melodyshaw.com/files/Plantcenter.pdf

B.

Modern advances make life easier, but may also have unexpected drawbacks. Just taking escalators rather than stairs reduces the number of calories burned each day. By letting machines routinely do their work, people become less physically fit. And if supermarkets were to fail, people could starve without having their own gardens to provide food. __________________________.

1.     That’s when they decided they had to learn to live without so many gadgets.

2.     It may be time to question how “convenient” these advances really are.

3.     It is impossible to live without these modern advances.

Adapted from http://www.time4writing.com/writing-paragraphs/topic-sentence/

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Exercise 3

Write a suitable concluding sentence for each of the paragraphs below.

Example:

I choose colour to reflect my moods. If I am happy, I wear yellow. When I am grouchy, I wear red. Blue reflects when I am sad, and pink shows when I am excited. The colour that I wear tells people how I feel.

1.) Summer vacation is a busy time for me. I play traveling softball, and I take private trumpet lessons. Another lesson I have is swimming. I like these more than my music lessons.  ___________________________________________ .

Source: http://www.time4writing.com/writing-paragraphs/topic-sentence/

2.) Credit cards have a lot of advantages. First of all, credit cards are convenient because you don’t have to carry a lot of cash around. You can buy the products and services you need even if you do not have cash in your pocket. In addition, credit cards are very helpful in emergencies. Finally, you can become a better money manager as you learn to use credit cards responsibly. ____________.

Source: Blanchard, K. in Root, C. 2003. Ready to Write. NY: Pearson Education - Longman

3.) There are many advantages of a good dictionary. Firstly,it will teach you how to pronounce  new words correctly. It will also show you the correct spelling of these words. Another good side of using a dictionary is that it gives the grammatical information about each word, for example, whether it is a noun or an adjective, or how the past tense of a verb is spelled. But the biggest advantage is that it helps you to understand a word in all its meanings by giving you clear definitions and useful examples. __________________________.

4.) There are several steps to follow before setting out on a perfect holiday. First, choose a place of which you have been dreaming. If you are a nature lover, look for a place where you can observe nature; but if you are a history lover , select a place where there are museums or archeological ruins.Then, be well-prepared in information and equipment. After you choose the place, read  detailed information of it to make the travel to that place safer. Meanwhile , make sure that you packed everything needed on travelling. Finally,the most important of all is, travel with a close friend. Nobody wants to be alone on a journey, because it would be boring.  ______________________________ .

5.) For people around the world, the Red Cross is often the difference between life and death. For several years, the Red Cross has been helping people who are sick, victims of wars, and victims of natural disasters. The Red Cross does not take sides, but rather helps anyone who needs help. After Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the Red Cross worked hard and saved many lives. Also, after Japan was hit by a tsunami in 2011, the Red Cross helped the people there get through this difficult time. ______________________________________ .

Source: http://www.stickyball.net/writing.html?id=515 

Answers to Post 5 exercises (Supporting Sentences)

Exercise 1

1.)  Cats make wonderful house pets. They are very loving and friendly. They don’t eat much, so they are not expensive. Cats are also clean and look beautiful. They’re fun to have in your home.

2.)  There are many reasons I hate my apartment. The plumbing doesn’t work properly and the landlord refuses to fix it. I also have noisy neighbours who keep me up all night. Furthermore, there are so many bugs in my apartment that I could start an insect collection. I really want to move.

3.)  Use of the internet has grown very quickly. In 1983, there were 562 computers connected to the Internet. By the turn of the century, there were 72.3 million computers in 247 countries on-line. Experts say that the Internet is now growing at a rate of approximately 40 percent a year. As time goes on, the Internet is becoming more and more popular.

4.)  Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy diet. First, fruits and vegetables are packed with the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your body functioning smoothly. In addition, they give you the carbohydrates you need for energy. Fruits and vegetables have lots of fiber to help your digestive system work properly. Finally, many scientists believe that the nutrients in fruits and vegetables can help fight diseases. If you eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, you’ll enjoy a better health.

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Exercise 2

Some people think tsunamis are the worst type of natural disaster that can hit a region. (Topic sentence)

1.     The huge wave of water does damage twice, when first coming in, and then going out again.

3.     They may assault an area already devastated by a coastal earthquake.

5.     They can lift an entire house and twirl it around in the air.

6.     The massive weight of water can sweep away protective barriers as well as buildings.

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Exercise 3

A major supporting sentence is missing from the paragraphs below.

Three possible major supporting sentences are given in the list. Fill in the blank in the paragraph with the most suitable major supporting sentence.

1.     Even when we live far away, there are still many ways to help people in a country that suffers a natural disaster. ... [missing sentence] … We can also organize community events to raise money and supplies to send through the Red Cross. And almost everyone has clothes and blankets they can donate, to help people who have lost their homes. Even students in school can do a lot to help people across the world who are in need.

a.            One of the best ways to start is to raise money through a school fundraiser.

2.     Every good friend you have should show some important qualities. Strong loyalty is one of the best traits of a friend, because that means he or she will always stand up for you. ... [missing sentence] … And most of all, a friend is willing to forgive you if you make a mistake and are sorry about it. When you both show these important attitudes to each other, you will be friends for many years.

b.     Honesty is another good quality. It creates trust and confidence between friends.

3.     Computers and tablets are being used more and more for studying in school for several reasons. One reason is that students will grow up in a world where they will be using computers for most jobs. So they need to learn to use computers as early as they can. ... [missing sentence] … And some companies are even making textbooks into files that can be used on tablets. Computers are now being used all through society, so it’s not surprising that their use in schools is also growing.

b.     There’s nothing students enjoy more than using interactive multimedia text during class.

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Exercise 4 (other supporting sentences having the same meaning are acceptable.)

Paragraph 1

The first is that it will be easier for the child to make friends.

Paragraph 2

You should avoid using credit cards.

Exercise 5

(D) In bad weather, the ship rolls back and forth.

Post 5

In the earlier posts, we have studied the structure of a paragraph.

A paragraph is usually built up by three types of sentences.

·        Topic sentence

·        Supporting sentences

·        Concluding sentence (not all paragraphs have a concluding sentence)

We have learned to construct topic sentences in the previous exercises. Now we will practise writing supporting sentences for a paragraph.

THE SUPPORTING SENTENCES

The supporting sentences develop the main idea in the topic sentence. They add details to the topic. Every supporting sentence in a paragraph must relate to the main idea stated in the topic sentence. A sentence that does not support the main idea should not be included in the paragraph.

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Do the following exercises in your personal blog.

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Exercise 1

Read the following paragraphs carefully and underline the supporting sentences.

Example

Of all the fruits I like, I like apple most. Apples have many points to score over other fruits. It is tasty. It is juicy. It has more iron. It has more vitamins. It is easily digestible. It can be eaten before or after meal.

1.)  Cats make wonderful house pets. They are very loving and friendly. They don’t eat much, so they are not expensive. Cats are also clean and look beautiful. They’re fun to have in your home.

2.)  There are many reasons I hate my apartment. The plumbing doesn’t work properly and the landlord refuses to fix it. I also have noisy neighbours who keep me up all night. Furthermore, there are so many bugs in my apartment that I could start an insect collection. I really want to move.

3.)  Use of the internet has grown very quickly. In 1983, there were 562 computers connected to the Internet. By the turn of the century, there were 72.3 million computers in 247 countries on-line. Experts say that the Internet is now growing at a rate of approximately 40 percent a year. As time goes on, the Internet is becoming more and more popular.

4.)  Vegetables and fruits are an important part of a healthy diet. First, fruits and vegetables are packed with the vitamins and minerals you need to keep your body functioning smoothly. In addition, they give you the carbohydrates you need for energy. Fruits and vegetables have lots of fiber to help your digestive system work properly. Finally, many scientists believe that the nutrients in fruits and vegetables can help fight diseases. If you eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, you’ll enjoy a better health.

Source: Blanchard, K. in Root, C. 2003. Ready to Write. NY: Pearson Education - Longman

Exercise 2

Select the items in the following list that you think would make good supporting details for the topic sentence. (There may be more than three supporting details.)

Some people think tsunamis are the worst type of natural disaster that can hit a region. (Topic sentence)

1.     The huge wave of water does damage twice, when first coming in, and then going out again.

2.     Their main weapon is the high wind that accompanies them.

3.     They may assault an area already devastated by a coastal earthquake.

4.     The shaking occurs when a fault in deep rock layers slips or gives way.

5.     They can lift an entire house and twirl it around in the air.

6.     The massive weight of water can sweep away protective barriers as well as buildings.

Exercise 3

A major supporting sentence is missing from the paragraphs below.

Three possible major supporting sentences are given in the list. Fill in the blank in the paragraph with the most suitable major supporting sentence.

1.     Even when we live far away, there are still many ways to help people in a country that suffers a natural disaster. ... [missing sentence] … We can also organize community events to raise money and supplies to send through the Red Cross. And almost everyone has clothes and blankets they can donate, to help people who have lost their homes. Even students in school can do a lot to help people across the world who are in need.

a.            One of the best ways to start is to raise money through a school fundraiser.

b.           All go over as tourists to view the damage, and take lots of pictures.

c.            The question is whether it’s our job to help other people or not.

2.     Every good friend you have should show some important qualities. Strong loyalty is one of the best traits of a friend, because that means he or she will always stand up for you. ... [missing sentence] … And most of all, a friend is willing to forgive you if you make a mistake and are sorry about it. When you both show these important attitudes to each other, you will be friends for many years.

a.            Friendships sometimes don’t last, because people change.

b.            Honesty is another good quality. It creates trust and confidence between friends.

c.             Competing with a friend will often create hard feelings.

3.     Computers and tablets are being used more and more for studying in school for several reasons. One reason is that students will grow up in a world where they will be using computers for most jobs. So they need to learn to use computers as early as they can. ... [missing sentence] … And some companies are even making textbooks into files that can be used on tablets. Computers are now being used all through society, so it’s not surprising that their use in schools is also growing.

a.            People can learn computers later in life and still find jobs.

b.            There’s nothing students enjoy more than using interactive multimedia text during class.

c.             Computer games are also used to help students learn thinking and reasoning skills.

Source: http://www.time4writing.com/writing-paragraphs/supporting-details/

Exercise 4

Write a suitable major supporting sentence for the paragraphs below.

1.)   In my opinion, children should grow up in the big city for three reasons._______________________________________________________________. For example, when I was a child, I used to live in a big apartment, so I had many friends in my apartment. The second reason why children should grow up in the city is that children can gain more cultural experience. City children go to the museums, theatres and cinemas. In addition, they have a better opportunity to see movies, shows and other kinds of entertainment. The third reason is there are more opportunities for city children to involve in activities. For example, city children can join sports teams, dance classes or take an art course after school because there are many such programs in a big city for children of all ages. In conclusion, the city is the best place a child to grow up.

2.)   It is easy to save money if you follow these three steps. To begin with, keep a record of your expenses. For example, keep a small notebook with you at all the times and write every expense. Secondly, _____________________________________. It is easier to overspend when you’re pulling from a credit card account because you don’t know exactly how much is in there. If you have cash, you can see your money running low. Lastly, open a savings account. It’s an easy way to keep track of your savings if you have them separate from your spending money. To sum up, you can even be a millionaire if you follow these three steps.

Source: http://busyteacher.org

Exercise 5

Which supporting sentence is not related to the main idea stated in the topic sentence (red coloured sentence)?

A) A paragraph without a topic sentence is like a ship without a captain. (B) Ships need direction, and so do paragraphs. (C) The captain of a ship chooses the direction, and then uses the crew, wind, and rudder as support. (D) In bad weather, the ship rolls back and forth. (E) Similarly, the topic sentence establishes the direction for the paragraph. (F) Then the other sentences of the paragraph provide the support to stick to that course.