Writing Academic English # 1

THREE PARTS OF PARAGRAPH

All paragraphs have a topic sentence and supporting sentences, and some paragraphs also have a concluding sentence.

The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It not only names the topic of the paragraph, but it also limits the topic to one specific area that can be discussed completely in the space of a single paragraph. The part of the topic sentence that announces the specific area to be discussed is called the controlling idea. Notice how the topic sentence of the model states both the topic and the controlling idea:

Gold, aprecious metal, is prized for two important characteristics.

_{TOPIC                                              CONTROLLING IDEAS}

Supporting sentences develop the topic sentence. That is, they explain or prove the topic sentence by giving more information about it. Following are some of the supporting sentences that explain the topic sentence about gold.

First of all, gold has a lustrous beauty that is resistant to corrosion.

For example, a Macedonian coin remains as untarnished today as the day

it was made 25 centuries ago.

Another important characteristic of gold is its usefulness to industry and science.

The most recent use of gold is in astronauts' suits.

The concluding sentence signals the end of the paragraph and leaves the reader with important points to remember:

In conclusion, gold is treasured not only for its beauty but also for its utility.

Concluding sentences are customary for stand-alone paragraphs. However, paragraphs that are parts of a longer piece of writing usually do not need concluding sentences.

THE TOPIC SENTENCE

Every good paragraph has a topic sentence, which clearly states the topic and the controlling idea of the paragraph.

A topic sentence is the most important sentence in a paragraph. It bliefly indicates what the paragraph is going to discuss. For this reason, the topic sentence is a helpful guide to both the writer and the reader. The writer can see what information to include (and what information to exclude). The reader can see what the paragraph is going to be about and is therefore better prepared to understand it. For example, in the model paragraph on gold, the topic sentence alerts the reader to look for two characteristics. Here are three important points to remember about a topic sentence.

1. A topic sentence is a complete sentence; that is, it contains at least one

subject and one verb. The following are not complete sentences because

they do not have verbs:

Driving on freeways.

How to register for college classes.

The rise of indie films.!

2. A topic sentence contains both a topic and a controlling idea. It names the

topic and then limits the topic to a specific area to be discussed in the space

of a single paragraph.

TOPIC                                                                                      CONTROLLING IDEA

Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness.

Registering for college classes can be an be a frustrating experience for new students.

TOPIC                                                                                                              CONTROLLING IDEA

ASSIGNMENT #1

1.      Topic sentence practice

Remember that a topic sentence is a complete sentence and is neither too general nor too specific.

Step 1 Read the sentences in each group, and decide which sentence is the best topic sentence. Write best TS (for "best topic sentence") on the line next to it.

Step 2 Decide what is wrong with the other sentences. They may be too general, or they may be too specific, or they may be incomplete sentences. Write too general, too specific, or incomplete on the

lines next to them.

The first one has been done for you as an example.

Group 1

(too specific)                          a. A lunar eclipse is an omen of a coming disaster.

(too general)      b. Superstitions have been around forever.

(best TS)             c. People hold many superstitious beliefs about themoon.

(incomplete)             d. Is made of green cheese.

Group 2

________ a. The 11istory of astronomy is interesting.

________ b. Ice age people recorded the appearance of new moons by making scratches in animal bones.

________ c. For example, Stonehenge in Britain, built 3500 years ago to track the movement of the sun.

________ d. Ancient people observed and recorded lunar and solar events in different ways.

ASSIGNMENT #2

Remember that the topic sentence is the most general statement in a paragraph. Read the following scrambled paragraphs and decide which sentence is the topic sentence. Write TS on the line next to that sentence.

Paragraph 1

__ a. A notes/memo function lets you make quick notes to yourself.

__ b. Other capabilities include word processing, spreadsheets, and e-mail.

__ c. A voice recorder that uses a built-in microphone and speaker works like a tape recorder.

__ d. Basic tools include a calendar to keep track of your appointments, an address and phone number book, to-do lists, and a calculator.

__ e. MP3 playback lets you listen to digital music files, and a picture viewer lets you look at digital photos.

__ f. Most personal digital assistants (PDAs) have tools for basic tasks as well as for multimedia functions.

__ g. A few models also include a built-in digital camera and keyboard

Paragraph 2

__ a. Twelve years after Sputnik, the United States caught up by becoming the first nation to land a man on the moon.

__ b. The Europeans have joined the competition, vowing to land European astronauts on the moon by 2025 and on Mars by 2035.

__ c. The number of nations competing in the "space race" has grown since the early days of space exploration.

__ d. China joined the competition in 2003 when it launched Shenzhou 5.

__ e. Initially, the former Soviet Union took the lead when it sent the first man into Earth orbit in the spaceship Sputnik in 1957.

__ f. For almost 50 years, the United States and Russia were the only competitors in the contest to explore space using manned spacecraft.

Paragraph 3

__ a. Another important change was that people had the freedom to live and work wherever they wanted.

__ b. The earliest significant change was for farming families, who were no longer isolated.

__ c. The final major change brought by the automobile was the building of superhighways, suburbs, huge shopping centers, and theme parks such as Disney World in Florida.

__ d. The automobile revolutionized the way of life in the United States.

__ e. The automobile enabled them to drive to towns and cities comfortably and conveniently.

__ f. In fact, people could work in a busy metropolitan city and drive home to the quiet suburbs.

Paragraph 4

__ a. In time, this melted part rises as magma.

__ b. The formation of a volcanic eruption is a dramatic series of events.

__ c. As the plate sinks, friction and Earth's heat cause part of it to melt.

__ d. The magma produces heat, steam, and pressure.

__ e. First of all, most volcanoes are formed where two plates collide.

__ f. Then one of the plates is forced under the other and sinks.

__ g. When the heat, steam, and pressure from the magma finally reach the surface of Earth, a volcanic eruption occurs.