Imagine you are writing a blog that many people will read.
You want to share your ideas about helping others, volunteering, or supporting people with special needs. But how can you organise your ideas so that readers understand your message clearly? In this unit, you will learn how to write a well-structured paragraph that expresses your opinion and explains your ideas effectively. Watch this video!
You want to share your ideas about helping others, volunteering, or supporting people with special needs. But how can you organise your ideas so that readers understand your message clearly? In this unit, you will learn how to write a well-structured paragraph that expresses your opinion and explains your ideas effectively. Watch this video!
Key takeways: How to Write a Paragraph
A paragraph is a group of sentences about one main idea. All sentences must be connected and discuss the same topic.
1. A good paragraph usually has 5 — 7 sentences.
- 1 topic sentence;
- 3 — 5 supporting sentences;
- 1 concluding sentence.
2. Start by brainstorming ideas. Think about the general topic and decide what your paragraph will be about.
Examples of topics: helping others, volunteering
3. Write a topic sentence.
Example structure:
Volunteering is important for society.
Helping others makes people feel happier.
4. Write supporting sentences. Supporting sentences:
Examples of topics: helping others, volunteering
3. Write a topic sentence.
The topic sentence tells the reader the main idea of the paragraph. It answers the question: What is this paragraph about?
Volunteering is important for society.
Helping others makes people feel happier.
4. Write supporting sentences. Supporting sentences:
- give more information;
- explain the main idea;
- provide examples;
- add details
Each sentence must connect to the topic sentence. If a sentence does not match the topic — do not include it.
5. Write a concluding sentence. The concluding sentence:
5. Write a concluding sentence. The concluding sentence:
- ends the paragraph;
- repeats the main idea in different words;
- summarizes the key point
Do not add new ideas in the conclusion. You can include your opinion or feeling.
6. Use linking words.
Linking words connect ideas and make the paragraph easier to read.
Examples: First, second, also, another reason is, finally, in conclusion, to summarise.
6. Use linking words.
Linking words connect ideas and make the paragraph easier to read.
Examples: First, second, also, another reason is, finally, in conclusion, to summarise.
Revise linking words you studied in forms 4 and 8: Linking words AND, BUT, BECAUSE, Link It Right!
7. Use examples or facts.
Examples help explain your ideas clearly. Examples can include: personal experience, facts, situations, reasons,
8. Check your paragraph. After writing:
- check grammar;
- check spelling;
- check capital letters;
- check punctuation
Structure helps the reader understand your ideas. When ideas are organised clearly, the paragraph is easier to read and understand.
Learn and practice: read and listen to two paragraphs to discover how helping others and supporting people with special needs can make society better.
Paragraph 1:
Volunteering is important because it helps people and improves society.* First, volunteers provide support to people who need help, for example children, elderly people, or people with special needs. Second, volunteering allows people to gain useful experience and develop new skills. For example, students can organise charity events or raise money for local organisations. Finally, volunteering brings positive change to the community and helps people feel more connected. In conclusion, volunteering is a meaningful activity that benefits both the volunteer and society.**
Paragraph 2:
People with special needs should have equal opportunities to participate in society.* First, an accessible environment helps people with different conditions move and communicate more easily. For example, ramps, Braille signs make public places easier to use. Second, learning support and helpful equipment allow students with special needs to succeed at school. Finally, respect and support from others help people feel confident and included in everyday activities. In conclusion, when society provides support and understanding, people with special needs can participate more fully in community life.**
* — topic sentence
** — concluding sentence
Atsauce:
Amal Mansour "How to Write a Paragraph" on youtube.com