Strategies for writing a paragraph under time pressure on national secondary education examination

 Example: topic controlling idea Studying abroad has two main benefits.. The supporting sentences that explain the benefits of studying abroad are:  People get a better job when they

TABLE OF CONTENTS

PART I: INTRODUCTION 2

PART II CONTENTS 2

1 Parts of a paragraph 3

2 Kinds of paragraphs 5

3 Process of writing a paragraph 12

4 Two elements of a good paragraph 16

5 Sample writings 17

PART III : CONCLUSION 19

PART IV REFERENCES 21

PART I INTRODUCTION

Writing a paragraph is an new and inevitable part of almost every standarlized examination, especially in the important examinations such as the GCSE ( General Certificate Secondary Education Examination) Moreover English

is the compulsory subject in the test of National Secondary Examination which will be organized for nationwhile students by the Ministry of Traning and Education since 2015 Writing a paragraph is an obligatory section in the written assignment of the GCSE which makes up 15 percents of the test( 1.5 points) However, It is considered as the most difficult section because this assignment requests that students have a wide range of vocabularies, master English grammar and know how to write a good paragraph Moreover, in competitive exams and under time pressure(about 20 minutes), the task becomes more difficult So students often become embarrassed even out of weariness and they let the task run its course As a result, their mark is low Being a teacher, I thought a lot of this actual situation I applied some strategies that help my students in my school to do the task well Thanks to these strategies, my students achieve the surprising success They got good marks in writing paragraph after practising some writings

by new methods The most important examination for all students comes nearer and

nearer, I would like to present : “Strategies for writing a paragraph under time

pressure on National Secondary Education Examination ” Hopefully, these

experiences could help students to take the writing task easily If a student can write a good paragraph, they will be able to write anything from stories to essays to research reports And, this theme would be shared with any colleagues who had the same problem or anyone who is interested in this theme

PART II CONTENTS

Knowing how to write a good paragraph is incredibly important when you are given a written assignment for coursework or when you are taking an examination It’s a basic aspect of writing, and it is something that everyone should know how

to do There is a specific structure that you have to follow when you’re writing a paragraph This structure helps make it easier for the reader to understand what is going on

1 Parts of a paragraph

In many languages, the fundamental unit of composition is the paragraph In order

to write a good paragraph, you have to thoroughly understand the basic structure of the paragraph A paragraph is a series of sentences that are organized and related

to a single topic There are three parts to a paragraph These three parts are the

topic sentence, supporting sentences, and the concludinging sentence We will also

1.1 Topic sentence

The topic sentence states what the paragraph will be about It gives the topic of

the paragraph, and it also restricts the topic to one or two main ideas which can be

explained fully in the space of one paragraph The controlling idea is the specific

area that the topic is limited to:

 What is the topic sentence?

The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph.

 What does it do?

It introduces the main idea of the paragraph.

 How do I write one?

Summarize the main idea of your paragraph Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will be about.

 Example:

topic controlling idea

Studying abroad has two main benefits Firstly, people who study abroad can get a better job when they return to their home country This is because their qualifications and experience mean that they tend to get jobs that are higher paid, and they can also gain promotion quickly Another advantage of studying abroad

is the independence students can gain For example, students have to cope with the challenges of living alone and meeting new people from different cultures As a consequence, they will become more confident in their life and in their relationships with others All in all, it is clear that studying abroad is a beneficial experience

1.2 Supporting sentences

Supporting sentences give information that explains and expands the topic of the

paragraph They answer questions—who? what? where? when? why? and how?—

and give details Good writers think of these questions when they write supporting sentences for the topic sentence

 What are supporting sentences?

They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of a paragraph.

 What do they do?

They give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph.

 How do I write them?

You should give supporting reasons, facts, details, examples, statistics,

quotations

 Example:

Studying abroad has two main benefits Firstly, people who study abroad can get a better job when they return to their home country This is because their qualifications and experience mean that they tend to get jobs that are higher paid, and they can also gain promotion quickly Another advantage of studying abroad

is the independence students can gain For example, students have to cope with the challenges of living alone and meeting new people from different cultures As

a consequence, they will become more confident in their life and in their relationships with others All in all, it is clear that studying abroad is a beneficial experience

The supporting sentences that explain the benefits of studying abroad are:

 People get a better job when they return home (1st supporting idea)

- Better qualifications & experience mean better pay and promotion (reason)

- Now has a high standard of living (result)

 Students gain independence (2nd supporting idea)

- Students have to cope with the challenges of living alone and meeting new

people from different cultures.(example)

- Students will become more confident in their life and relationships (result)

1.3 Concluding sentence

A concluding sentence (closing sentence) can be used to signal the end of the

paragraph It tells the reader the important points to remember It is often a paraphrase of the topic sentence

 What is the closing sentence?

The closing sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph.

 What does it do?

It restates the main idea of your paragraph.

 How do I write one?

Restate the main idea of the paragraph using different words.

 Example:

Studying abroad has two main benefits Firstly, people who study abroad can get a better job when they return to their home country This is because their qualifications and experience mean that they tend to get jobs that are higher paid, and they can also gain promotion quickly Another advantage of studying abroad

is the independence students can gain For example, students have to cope with the challenges of living alone and meeting new people from different cultures As

a consequence, they will become more confident in their life and in their relationships with others All in all, it is clear that studying abroad is a beneficial experience

2 Kinds of Paragraphs

It is vitally necessary that you should know what kind of paragarph you are going

to write, this is depened on the asignment topic.I would like to introduce some useful words or expressions belonging to different kinds of paragraph that you may use for your paragraph writing

2.1 Definition Paragraph

When writing a definition paragraph, you take a thing or an idea and explain what

it is

Example: Write a paragraph giving the definition of a pest.

The following words can help you to write a good definition paragraph:

 "is defined as"

Example: A pest is defined as any animal or plant that damages crops, forests, or

property

 "is a kind of"

Example: A pest is a kind of animal or plant that damages crops, forests, or

property

2.2 Classification Paragraph

When writing a classification paragraph, you group things or ideas into specific categories

Example: Write a paragraph discussing two types of energy resources.

The following words can help you to write a good classification paragraph:

 is a kind of: Ex: Coal is a kind of non-renewable resource.

 can be divided into: Ex: Energy resources can be divided into two types.

 is a type of: Ex: Coal is a type of non-renewable resource.

 falls under: Ex: Coal falls under the category of non-renewable resources.

 belongs to: Ex: Coal belongs to the category of non-renewable resources.

 is a part of: Ex: Coal is a part of the category of non-renewable resources.

 fits into: Ex: Coal fits into the category of non-renewable resources.

 is grouped with: Ex: Coal is grouped with non-renewable resources.

 is related to: Ex: Coal is related to other non-renewable resources.

 is associated with: Ex: Coal is associated with other non-renewable

resources

2.3 Description Paragraph

In a description paragraph, you are writing about what a person, place, or thing is like Sometimes, you may describe where a place is located

Examples

Write a paragraph describing what a polar bear looks like.

Describe where Canada's industry is located.

The following words can help you to write a good description paragraph:

Properties Measurement Analogy Location

near north/east/south/west

 Properties

- size: Ex: Polar bears are big in size.

- colour: Ex: Polar bears are usually white in colour.

- shape: Ex: Polar bears have a special shape.

- purpose : Ex: The purpose of the polar bear's fur is to keep it warm.

 Measurement

- length : Ex: The length of a polar bear's claws is 20 cm.

- width: Ex: The width of a polar bear's head is about 50 cm.

- mass / weight : Ex: Polar bears weigh up to 650 kg.

- speed : Ex: Polar bears can swim at a speed of 40 km per hour.

- is like: Ex: A polar bear is like other bears in shape.

- resembles: Ex: A polar bear resembles other bears in shape.

 Location

- in: Ex: Most of Canada's manufacturing is located in Ontario and Quebec.

- above: Ex: The ceiling is above us.

- below: Ex: Most of Ontario is below Hudson Bay.

- beside: Ex: Quebec is located beside Ontario.

2.4 Compare and Contrast Paragraph

In a compare and contrast paragraph, you write about the similarities and differences between two or more people, places, things, or ideas

Example: Write a paragraph comparing the weather in Ha noi and Da Lat

The following words can help you to write a good compare and contrast paragraph:

unlike

 Similarities

- is similar to: Ex: Spring weather in HaNoi is similar to spring weather in DaLat.

- both: Ex: Both Ha Noi and Da Lat have rain in the spring.

- also: Ex: Da Lat also has a rainy spring season.

 Differences

- on the other hand: Ex: On the other hand, winter is much colder in Ha Noi

- however: Ex: However, winter is much colder in Ha Noi

- in contrast to: Ex: In contrast to Da Lat , Ha Noi has a cold winter.

- while: Ex: While Da Lat has a mild winter, Ha Noi has a cold winter.

2.5 Sequence Paragraph

In a sequencing paragraph, you are writing to describe a series of events or a process in some sort of order Usually, this order is based on time

Example: Write a paragraph outlining how a person becomes the prime minister.

The following words can help you to write a good sequence paragraph

finally

at last

subsequently

- first, second, third, etc:

Ex: First, you need to become a leader of a political party Second, you need to win a seat in the House of Commons Third, your party must have a majority of

seats

- in the beginning:

Ex: In the beginning, you need to become a leader of a political party.

- before

Ex: Before becoming the prime minister, you need to become the leader of a

political party

- recently: Ex: She was recently elected prime minister.

- afterwards

Ex: She won the party leadership last year Afterwards, she won the election.

2.6 Choice Paragraph

In a paragraph where you have to make a choice, you need to choose which object, idea, or action that you prefer Often, you will need to give your opinion on a choice of actions or events

Example: Write a paragraph stating whether you would prefer to play hockey or lacrosse.

The following words can help you to write a good choice paragraph:

I think that

I consider

I believe

it seems to me

I prefer

 Point of View

- in my opinio: Ex: In my opinion, hockey is more fun than lacrosse.

- belief Ex: My belief is that hockey is more fun than lacrosse.

- idea: Ex: My idea is that hockey is more fun than lacrosse.

- understanding: Ex: My understanding is that hockey is more fun than lacrosse.

- I think that: Ex: I think that I would prefer to play hockey and not lacrosse.

- I consider: Ex: I consider hockey to be more exciting than lacrosse.

- I believe: Ex: I believe hockey is more exciting than lacrosse.

- it seems to me: Ex: It seems to me that hockey is more exciting than lacrosse.

- I prefer: Ex: I prefer hockey over lacrosse.

 Personal Opinions

- like/dislike: Ex: I like the sport of hockey because it is fast and exciting.

- hope: Ex: I hope that I can play hockey in the future.

- feel: Ex: I feel that hockey is my favorite sport.

2.7 Explanation Paragraph

In an explanation paragraph, you need to explain how or why something happens Very often in social studies class, you will be asked to explore causes and effects of certain events

Example: Write a paragraph explaining why so many Europeans moved to Canada during the nineteenth century.

The following words can help you to write a good explanation paragraph:

it follows that

if then

-because:

Ex: People moved to Canada from Europe during the nineteenth century because

they had poor living conditions in Europe

- since:

Ex: Since living conditions in Europe were terrible, many people moved to Canada.

- as a result of:

Ex: People moved to Canada from Europe as a result of poor living conditions in

Europe

- is due to / was due to:

Ex: The large influx of people to Canada was due to economic pressures in

Europe

 Effect

- therefore:

Ex: Living conditions in Europe were terrible Therefore, many people moved to

Canada for a better life

- thus:

Ex: Living conditions in Europe were terrible Thus, many people moved to

Canada for a better life

- consequently:

Ex: Living conditions were terrible in Europe Consequently, many people

moved to Canada

- hence:

Ex: Living conditions were terrible in Europe Hence, many people moved to

Canada

- it follows that:

Ex: Living conditions were terrible in Europe It follows that many people moved

to Canada

- if then:

Ex: If living conditions were better in Europe, then fewer people would have

moved to Canada

2.8 Evaluation Paragraph

In an evaluation paragraph, you make judgments about people, ideas, and possible actions You need to make your evaluation based on certain criteria that you develop In the paragraph, you will state your evaluation or recommendation and then support it by referring to your criteria