An LSCC Learning Center Self-Paced Tutorial

Writing Effective Paragraphs

Composing: Creating Topic Sentences and Supporting Sentences

What is a Paragraph?

Definition A group of related sentences that develop

one main idea Three concepts for good paragraphs

Unity: one idea per paragraph Development: sufficient detail (good writing is

25% ideas & 75% details!) Coherence: understandable, easy to follow

(logical order, effective transitions)

Anatomy of a Paragraph

Topic Sentence Usually first—want to use the norm for the

paragraph assignments Contains TWO PARTS

Topic Controlling Idea

Body The details which make your topic sentence

vivid to the reader, that prove your point

Sample & Exercise Identify the topic sentence and supporting details in the

following paragraph from Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: The summer picnic gave ladies a chance to show off their

baking hands. On the barbecue pit, chickens and spareribs sputtered in their own fat and in a sauce whose recipe was guarded in the family like a scandalous affair. However, every true baking artist could reveal her prize to the delight and criticism of the town. Orange sponge cakes and dark brown mounds dripping Hershey’s chocolate stood layer to layer with

ice-white coconuts and light brown caramels. Pound cakes sagged with their buttery weight and small children could no more resist licking the icings than their mothers could avoid slapping the sticky fingers.

Sample & Exercise The topic sentence and supporting details: The summer picnic gave ladies a chance to show

off their baking hands. On the barbecue pit, chickens and spareribs sputtered in their own fat and in a sauce whose recipe was guarded in the family like a scandalous affair. However, every true baking artist could reveal her prize to the delight and criticism of the town. Orange sponge cakes and dark brown mounds dripping Hershey’s chocolate stood layer to layer with ice-white coconuts and light brown caramels. Pound cakes sagged with their buttery weight and small children could no more resist licking the icings than their mothers could avoid slapping the sticky fingers.

Topic Sentences

Pete’s sloppiness is a terrible habit. Pete’s sloppiness is an endearing quality. Elise’s dirty kitchen is a sign of her cooking

skills. Elise’s dirty kitchen makes me want to call the

health department. Identify the TOPIC and CONTROLLING IDEA in each

Topic Sentences

The TOPIC and CONTROLLING IDEA: Pete’s sloppiness is a terrible habit. Pete’s sloppiness is an endearing quality. Elise’s dirty kitchen is a sign of her cooking

skills. Elise’s dirty kitchen makes me want to call the

health department. How would the paragraphs be different?

Steps in Writing a Good Paragraph

Follow this order for sure success: Narrow the topic Draft the topic sentence Generate DETAILS for the body Select and drop details Arrange in a plan or outline Time to draft…..

Topic Sentence Exercise

The key to a good topic sentence is to narrow the topic first.

For example: general topic is good food Narrow the topic to Mexican food Controlling idea is Las Fuentes has great lunch

specials

Topic sentence: For an excellent and inexpensive

Mexican lunch, you cannot beat Las Fuentes.

Generating Details for the Body For an excellent and inexpensive

Mexican lunch, you cannot beat Las Fuentes. What details do we need?

Consider menu Consider prices Consider what “excellent” implies

Select and Drop Details

Which of the following details would NOT support the topic sentence

(For an excellent and inexpensive Mexican lunch, you cannot beat Las Fuentes.)

Combination plates cost $5.00

Service is fast A margarita is $7.00 Daily specials Friendly waiters Located in a shopping

mall Free chips and salsa Established 1965

Select and Drop Details

Which of the following details would NOT support the topic sentence?

(For an excellent and inexpensive Mexican lunch, you cannot beat Las Fuentes.

Combination plates cost $5.00

Service is fast A margarita is $7.00 Daily specials Friendly waiters Located in a shopping

mall Free chips and salsa Established 1965

Arrange in a Plan or Outline

For an excellent and inexpensive Mexican lunch, you cannot beat Las Fuentes.

Combination plates cost $5.00 Service is fast Daily specials Friendly waiters Free chips and salsa

Once you decide the order, how difficult will drafting be?

The Paragraph

For an excellent and inexpensive Mexican lunch, you cannot beat Las Fuentes. This great little restaurant has become a regular stop in my week. Most importantly, the combination plates only cost $5.00. Add fast service and daily specials with even more discounts, and you can see why it’s my favorite place for lunch. The waiters are among the friendliest I’ve ever encountered, and if you run low on the free chips and salsa, they’ll bring you more in a hurry.

And now, it’s your turn

Use these tips to help draft your paragraph Save all prewriting and drafts in case you

need to turn them in with the final version If you need help:

See your instructor during office hours Visit the Learning Center

Thanks to Jacklyn Pierce for sharing this instructional Power Point with us