The Parts of a Paragraph

M.Ghazanfar (DDP-FA14-BCS-005)Talha Riaz (DDP-FA14-BCS-009)Hassan Jahangir (DDP-FA14-BCS-165)Hamza Ahmed (DDP-FA14-BCS-100)

A paragraph generally has three parts:

•Topic Sentence

•Supporting Details

•Concluding Sentence

Topic Sentences Enticing your reader

What is a Topic Sentence?•The topic sentence tells the topic (What the paragraph is about).•It tells about the writer’s attitude or idea about the topic.•A topic sentence is often, but not always, the first sentence in paragraph.What it’s NOT•A topic sentence is not a simple fact.

• Ted Hoff developed the microprocessor• This is a detail• This could be used in the body of the paragraph.

•A topic sentence is not a question.• Who developed microprocessor that we used today?

• This could be used as an “attention grabber”.Parts of a Topic Sentence•The Topic Sentence is the main-idea sentence. Consist of two things.

• The Topic (Subject)• The controlling idea

The Controlling ideaThe part of sentence that tells what the author is going to say about is called Controlling idea.

More about controlling ideas• A controlling idea limits the subject.• It can express an opinion.• It can provide focus by answering a question.• It may suggest a list.

Remember this Formula:• Topic Sentence = Topic + Controlling idea

Examples:• The invention of microprocessor

• (Subject)• Revolutionized the world in many ways

• (Controlling idea)• The invention of microprocessor revolutionized the world in

many ways.

• Raw Vegetables • (Subject)

• Might not be healthy as we thought they were.• (Controlling idea)

• Raw Vegetables Might not be healthy as we thought they were.

Supporting Details•It is another major part of the paragraph.•The sentence with details called supporting sentences.•They come after the topic sentence of ta paragraph.•They give details and support the main idea stated in the topic sentence.•Supporting sentences includes facts, details and examples that expands and explains the topic sentence.•Use linkers or connectors to connect the supporting ideas.Example:

• There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an

excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

• The ancient Egyptians believed in many different gods and goddesses and each one had their own role to play in maintaining peace and harmony across the land. Some gods and goddesses took part in creation. Other gods and goddesses brought the flood every year. Some offered protection, and some took care of people after they died. Egyptians had local gods who represented towns, and minor gods who represented plants or animals. The ancient Egyptians believed that it was important to recognize and worship these gods and goddesses so that life continued smoothly.

Concluding Sentence•It reminds what the topic sentence was about.•Concluding sentences have three crucial roles in paragraph writing.•They draw together the information you have presented to elaborate your controlling idea by:

• summarizing the points you have made.• repeating words or phrases (or synonyms for them)

from the topic sentence.• using linking words that indicate that conclusions are

being drawn, for example, therefore, thus, resulting.•The last sentence in your paragraph is called a Concluding Sentence. The Concluding Sentence does NOT introduce anything new. It either summarizes what you already talked about or paraphrases the Topic Sentence.

Example:

•There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

•The ancient Egyptians believed in many different gods and goddesses and each one had their own role to play in maintaining peace and harmony across the land. Some gods and goddesses took part in creation. Other gods and goddesses brought the flood every year. Some offered protection, and some took care of people after they died. Egyptians had local gods who represented towns, and minor gods who represented plants or animals. The ancient Egyptians believed that it was important to recognize and worship these gods and goddesses so that life continued smoothly.

Coherence•Coherence means establishing a relationship between the ideas presented in a paragraph. •It brings about a rationale in the arrangement of the ideas which are introduced either in the chronological order or in the order of importance. •Besides, transitions that compare, contrast, illustrate, add or show cause and effect build logical bridges.•The ideas, thus expressed in the paragraph, flow smoothly from one to the other in a logical sequence. •This helps the reader to understand the paragraph.Example:(1) The human body is a wonderful piece of work that nature has created. (2) It is not beautiful like the body of a butterfly or peacock but it is shaped practically. (3) It can do many types of work which other animals cannot. (4) It is not strong like the body of a tiger. (5) But in place of physical strength it has a big and sharp brain. (6) By using this brain the human physique has been able to overcome many of its limitations. (7) By sitting in an aero plane it flies faster than a kite, by riding a motorcycle it travels faster than a leopard, and by firing a machine gun it fights much better than a tiger.(8) In spite of all this, the human body suffers from many diseases because it has a weakness for habits such as smoking, drinking and overeating. (9) When it is healthy the body can give great pleasure but when it is sick it can cause great pain. (10) The wise man would always keep his body fit because a healthy mind can work only in a healthy body.

Thank You!