Paragraph Structure

Organization
Three Parts of a Paragraph

The Topic Sentence

Supporting Sentences

The Concluding Sentence

Punctuation

Apostrophes

The Writing Process

Outl i ning

Review

Writing Assignment

Summary Writing 1

37
38 Part 1 I The Paragraph

Organization

As you learned in Chapter 1 , a paragraph is a group of related sentences that

develops one main idea, which is the topic of the paragraph. In this chapter you will
study paragraph structure in detail.

Three Parts A paragraph has three parts: a topic sentence, several supporting sentences, and
of a a concluding sentence.
Paragraph
1 . The topic sentence tells what topic the paragraph is going to discuss.
2. The supporting sentences give details about the topic.
3. The concluding sentence summarizes the main points or restates the topic
sentence in different words.
A paragraph is like a sandwich. The topic sentence and concluding sentences are the
two pieces of "bread" enclosing the "meat" - the supporting sentences. A diagram
of a paragraph looks like this:

I TOPIC SENTENCE
J
SUPPORTING SENTENCES

I CONCLUDING SENTENCE
I
The model paragraph that follows describes a typical wedding i n Hawaii. The
people who live in the island state of Hawaii are from many different ethnic groups.
In Hawaii, Hawaiians, Japanese, Chinese, Filipinos, Portuguese, and haoles1 share
their customs freely with one another. As you read the mode l , notice the three parts
of the paragraph.

MODEL A Hawaiian Wedding

Three Parts 1The mix of cultures in Hawaii makes weddings there very special occasions.
of a Paragraph
2Certainly, Hawaiian clothing, music, and other Hawaiian customs play a big role.
3For example, the bride often wears a long white holoku (wedding dress), and
the groom wears a long-sleeved white shirt and pants with a red sash around
2-1 1SUPPORTING his waist. 4Both the bride and the groom wear /eis.2 5The bride's lei is traditionally
SENTENCES
made of white flowers such as pikake (jasmine), and the groom's is made of

1/zaoles: Hawaiian word for people with white skin

2/eis: necklaces made of flowers
 Chapter 3 I Paragraph Structure 39

green maile leaves. 6Another Hawaiian custom is the blowing of a conch sheiP
three times to begin the ceremony. 7Hawaiian music is played both during
the ceremony and during the /uau4 afterward. 80ther customs included in the
festivities depend on the ethnic backgrounds of the couple. 9For instance, there
may be noisy firecrackers, a Chinese way of keeping bad spirits away. 10There
may be a display of Japanese origami, 5 or there may be a pandango, a Filipino
custom. 11 During a pandango, the wedding guests tape money together and
wrap it around the couple during their first dance together as husband and wife.
12C O NC LUDING SE N T E NC E 12AI I in all, a Hawaiian wedding is truly a magical, multicultural event.

Questions on the Model

1 . Look at the title. What is the topic of the paragraph?
2 . Look at the first sentence. What does it say about the topic?
3 . Now look at the last sentence. What idea from the first sentence is repeated
here?
Now let's study each of the three parts of a paragraph in more detail .

The Topic The topic sentence is the most imp01tant sentence in a paragraph. It has two parts: a
Sentence topic and a controlling idea. The topic names the subject of the paragraph. ln our
model, the topic is Hawaiian weddings. The controlling idea tells what the paragraph
will say about the topic. It is called the controlling idea because it controls or limits
the topic to a very specific point or points. In our model, the controlling idea is that
weddings in Hawaii are special because of the mix of cultures.
Here are examples of topic sentences with the same topic but different controlling
ideas:
,---- TOPIC ---, ,----- CONTROLLING IDEA --�

1 a. Some marriages are a union of two families.

,---- TOPIC ---, CONTROLLING IDEA ---�

1 b. Some marriages are a union of two individuals.

,---- TOPIC ---, ,- CONTROLLING IDEA

---,
2a. Some weddings are very elaborate.

,-- TOPIC ---,

I
CONTROLLING IDEA -,
2b. Some weddings are very simple.

,-- TOPIC ---, CONTROLLING IDEA ---�

2c. Some weddings take place in unusual locations.

3conch shell: large seashell that makes noise like a horn. ln ancient Hawaii, blowing a conch shell marked
the start of any importanl ceremony.
4/uau: Hawaiian barbecue feast
5origami: Japanese art of folding paper into shapes

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40 Part 1 I The Paragraph

PRACTlCE 1 With a partner, a small group, or the whole class, talk about what information the
paragraph for each of the following topic sentences might contain.
Predicting
Content rrom the 1 . Some weddings are very elaborate .
Controlling Idea 2 . Some weddings are very simple.
3 . Some weddings take place in unusual locations.

Position of the Topic Sentence The topic sentence is usually the first sentence
in a paragraph. Experienced writers sometimes put topic sentences at the end, but
the best place is usually right at the beginning. A topic sentence at the beginning
of a paragraph gives readers an idea of what they will read. This helps them
understand the paragraph more easily.

Not Too General, Not Too Specific A topic sentence is neither too general nor
too specific.
Too GENERAL Marriage is an event in a person's life.

This is too general because there is no specific controlling idea. The reader has no
idea what the paragraph will say about marriage except that it happens.

TOO SPECIFIC The average age for people in the United States to marry in the year 2000
was 25 for a woman and 27 for a man.

This is much too specific. It gives details that should come later in the paragraph.

Gooo The average age for people in the United States to marry has changed in the
past 1 00 years.

This is a good topic sentence because it gives the reader a hint that the paragraph
will discuss changes in the ages when people marry. A good topic sentence tells
something about the contents of the paragraph but none of the details.

PRACTICE 2 Work with a partner or in a small group.

Topic Sentences
A . Put a check ( tf ) next to good topic sentences. Tel l what is wrong with the
unchecked sentences. Are they too specific or too general? Write Too specific
or Too general on the line.

TOo specific 1 . It is estimated that 20 percent of Japanese marriages are

arranged .
2 . In Japan, there are two types of marriage.
3. Digital cameras have several advantages over film
cameras.
TG 4. Digital cameras take photos.
TS 5. Digital photos are composed of small squares, just like
a tiled kitchen floor or bathroom wal l .
6 . Learning the meanings o f abbreviations used i n the field
of technology is like learning a new language.
 Chapter 3 I Paragraph Structure 41

TS 7. PC, PDA, GPS, and Wifi are abbreviations.

8. A PDA can perform a variety of useful functions.
9. Consider these four factors when choosing a college.
10. Golden retriever dogs have certain characteristics that
make them good family pets.
11. I am considering event planning as a career.
12. A paramedic should have three characteristics.

B. Read the following paragraphs. Then choose the best topic sentence for each
one from the list. Write that sentence on the line.

1.
-------
· Trail c l i mbing i s the easiest.
Climbers just walk along trails to the top of a mountain. The trails are not
very steep, and the mountains are small. The second type, rock climbing,
takes place on steeper slopes and bigger mountain s . Climbers generally
have to use special equipment such as climbing shoes, ropes, and metal
nails called pitons. The third type is ice climbing. Ice climbing takes place
only on very high mountains and requires a lot of special equipment.
Equipment used in ice climbing includes ice axes and crampons, which
are spikes attached to a c limber's boots for walking on ice and hard snow.
Indeed, the sport of mountain c limbing can range from an easy uphill
walk to a difficult climb up a frozen waterfall.

a. Mountain climbing requires special skills and equipment.

b. The sport of mountain climbing is practiced worldwide.
( c\ There are three main types of mountain climbing.

2.
_______ . For example, Kansas City, in the
very center of the United States, is known for its beef, and Kansas City
barbecue is everyone's favorite way to enjoy i t . In Boston, people love
baked beans. In the Southwest, chili, a stew made of meat, beans, tomatoes,
and hot peppers, is the regional dish. Wisconsin, a state with many dairy
farms, is famous for its cheese. Go to Maryland and Virginia for crab
cakes1 and to the Northeast for clam chowder2 and maple syrup.3 Indeed,
many U . S . cities and regions have a special food for everyone to enjoy.

a. There is a variety of food in the United States.

b. Food in the United States varies from sweet desserts to spicy stews.
fc.' Different regions of the United States have their own traditional foods.
d. Food i n the United States is quite delicious.
(continued on next page)

1crab cakes: fried patties of crab, breadcrumbs, onions, and spices

2chowder: soup
3 maple syrup: sweet sap (liquid) from maple trees boiled down to thicken it (similar to honey)
42 Part 1 I The Paragraph

3.
------ · Before the 2004 tsunami in the
Indian Ocean, water buffalo stampeded' in Thailand, and dogs in Sri Lanka
refused to go out for their regular walks. An unusual number of pets
ran away from their homes in the days before the 1 989 San Francisco
earthquake. Japanese researchers have analyzed fishermen's stories about
the abnormal behavior of fish in the days or hours before earthquakes in
that country. These are just a few examples of strange animal behavior
just before earthquakes occur.
a. Dogs, elephants, water buffalo, and fish can predict earthquakes.
b. Earthquake prediction is an important science.
c. Animals may be able to sense earthquakes before they happen.

C. Work with a partner, with a small group, or by yourself. Read each paragraph
and determine the topic and the controlling idea. Then write an appropriate
topic sentence on the line.
1. Becoming a teacher should not be easy
------ · First of all, teachers must know
their subjects very wel l . At a minimum, they should take several college
courses and pass a written test in every subject that they teach. Also, they
should take refresher classes2 every few years to keep their knowledge
up-to-date. Third, teachers should take education classes in college to learn
how to teach. Fourth, they should have spent at least one year practice­
teaching. Practice-teaching is teaching real children in a real classroom
under the supervision of an experienced teacher. Only after a person has
met these requirements should he or she receive a teaching license.

2. Variety of dishes from around the world in United States

------ · Even small towns in the United
States have at least one pizzeria and one Chinese restaurant. Every midsize
town has at least one taqueria, where you can get a delicious Mexican
taco or burrito. French food has always been popular, and hot dogs and
hamburgers, German in origin, are found everywhere. More recently, Middle
Eastern shish kebab, Japanese sushi, and English fish and chips are
increasingly available in the United States.

3. Reason many people skip breakfast

------ · Some people skip breakfast because
they think it will help them lose weight. Another reason people give is that
they simply don't like breakfast. For others, the reason is cultural . People
in some cultures consume only two meals each day instead of three, and
breakfast isn't traditionally one of them. The most common reason people
give is lack of time. They like to stay in bed until the last minute, and then
they have to rush to get to work or to school on time.

'stampeded: ran away in panic

2refresher classes: classes that teach about new developments in a field
 Chapter 3 I Paragraph Structure 43

Developing Topic Sentences Imagine that you are given the topic friends to
write a paragraph about. Friends is too large a topic for a paragraph, so you need to
narrow it to a smaller topic. One way to do this is 'to use the listing technique that
you learned in Chapter 1 . Make a list of every word or phrase that comes into your
mind about the word friends. Your I ist might look like this:

Friends

kinds of friends friends from school

new friends casual friends
old friends how to make friends
best friend what is a friend
childhood friends

Then choose one of the smaller topics (one of the items from your list). You might
choose "What is a friend?" Make a second list while thinking about this smaller topic.

What Is a Friend?

have fun with is loyal

hang out with can depend on
play sports with ask advice
share secrets help each other
can trust enjoy the same activities
share problems like the same movies, sports

Any of these ideas can be the controlling idea in your topic sentence:
A friend is a person you have fun with.
A friend is someone you can trust.
A friend is a person who enjoys the same activities.

Try 1t Out! Work with a partner or with a small group . Use the listing technique and write a topic
sentence on five of the following topics:
ways to meet people in a new place disadvantages of growing up
kinds of video games I television in a small town
programs I movies you enjoy ways to waste time
advantages of being bilingual foreign travel
advantages of growing up in
a small town
44 Part 1 I The Paragraph

Supporting Supporting sentences explain the topic by giving more information about it.
Sentences Supporting point sentences list the main points of the paragraph.
Certainly, Hawaiian clothing, music, and other Hawaiian customs play
a big role.

Other customs included in the festivities depend on the ethnic backgrounds

of the couple.

Some people skip breakfast because they think it will help them lose weight.

Third, they should have spent at least one year practice-teaching.

PR/\CT1CE 3 Work with a partner or in a small group. Read each topic sentence. Then fill in the
blanks with additional supporting sentences. Add as many supporting sentences as
Writing
you can, but you do not have to fill in all of the blanks.
Supporting
Sentences
l . Owning a small car has several advantages.
a. A small car is easier to park.

b. __
______
____
______
____
____
________
____
____
_______

c. --

---

d. __
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
__________
____
_____

2 . To keep your teeth healthy and your smile bright, do the following things.
a. Don't eat sugary foods.

b. ________________________________________________

c. --

---

d. __
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
______
_________

3 . Consider these three/four/five factors when planning a family vacation.

a. Consider the interests of everyone.

b. __
___________________________________________

c. -------

d. __
__ ________________
__________________________

4 . A good friend has two/three/four important qualities.

a. He/She can keep secrets.

b. __
____
____
____
____
____
____
______
____
____
______
___

c . -----
d. ______________________________________________

5 . Avoid studying for a big test by taking the following actions.

a. Turn on the television. the radio. or your CD player.

b. __
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
____
___

c. --
---
 Chapter 3 I Paragraph Structure 45

6. A college education i s impOLtant for these reasons.

a. It prepares you for a career.

b. __
____
______________________________
____________

c. --

---

Examples Examples illustrate the supporting point sentences. Examples are good support
because they are specific; they make your meaning very clear.

Notice the signal phrases that can introduce examples. At the beginning of a
sentence, use For example or For instance, fol lowed by a comma. In front of an
example that is just a word or phrase (not an entire sentence), use the prepositional
phrase such as without a comma.1

Signal Phrases for Examples

Followed by a Comma No Comma

1. For example, 2. such as

For instance,

1 . For exampl e the bride often wears a long white holoku (wedding dress), and the groom
,

wears a long-sleeved white shirt and pants with a red sash around his waist.

For instance, there may be noisy firecrackers, a Chinese way of keeping bad spirits away.

2. The bride's lei is traditionally made of white flowers such as pikake (jasmine), and the
groom's is made of green mai/e leaves.

PRACTICE 4 Fi I I in each blank with one of these signal phrases: For example, For instance, or
such as. Add commas where necessary. Use each phrase once.
Signal Phrases
for Examples
The city of London has many great tourist attractions. (1 ) _______

most tourists make a stop at Westminster Abbey. In this famous church, tourists
can see where English kings and queens are crowned. Westminster Abbey is the
burial place of famous people (2) poet Geoffrey Chaucer,
scientists Isaac Newton and Charles Darwin, and actor Laurence Olivier. Tourists
also like to catch a glimpse of royal life while in London. (3) ___
_ ______

they can watch the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace, or they can
tour the Tower of London, where the British crown jewels are kept.

1Such as is sometimes used with a comma.

46 Part 1 I The Paragraph

' PRACTICE 5 Turn back to the model paragraph "A Hawaiian Wedding" on page 38 and complete
the diagram. Copy the supporting sentences into the appropriate boxes. Notice that
Supporting
the paragraph has two supporting point sentences and several example sentences.
Sentences and
Examples

TOPIC SENTENCE

The mix of cultures in Hawaii makes weddings there very special occasions.
SUPPORTING POINT SENTENCE

Certainly, Hawaiian clothing, music, and other Hawaiian customs play

a big role.
EXAMPLE

For example, the bride often wears a long white holoku, and
the groom wears a long-sleeved white shirt and pants with
a red sash around his waist.
EXAMPLE

Both the bride and the groom wear leis.

EXAMPLE

EXAMPLE

EXAMPLE

SUPPORTING POINT SENTENCE

EXAMPLE

EXAMPLE

EXAMPLE

During a pandango, the wedding guests tape money together

and wrap it around the couple during their first dance together
as husband and wife.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE

All in all, a Hawaiian wedding is truly a magical, multicultural event.