CHUYÊN ĐỀ HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH

The content of my writing also helps both teachers and students understand clearly stages of writing a paragraph. It can be considered as useful materials or references that orient them in writing tasks in GCSE nowadays. In addition, the exercises help teachers save time and efforts in teaching writing and in planning lessons. Moreover, students become more confident after doing these exercises.

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CHUYÊN ĐỀ HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH

Tác giả:

Đối tượng bồi dưỡng: Lớp 12

Dự kiến số tiết bồi dưỡng: 10

Kiến thức: Dùng cho ôn thi Tốt Nghiệp THPT Quốc Gia

GCSE: General Certificate of Secondary Education (Kỳ thi Tốt Nghiệp

Trung Học Phổ Thông )

Ss / ss : students

II Stage 2: Planning

1 Step 1: Making sublists

2 Step 2: Writing The Topic sentence

3 Step 3: Outlining

III Stage 3: Writing and revising drafts

1 Step 1: Writing the first rough draft

2 Step 2: Revising content and organisation

3 Proofreading the second draft

4 Step 4: Write the final copy

Part B: Paragraph structure

I The topic sentence

1 The topic sentence

2 Position of the topic sentences

3 Exercises

II Supporting sentences

1 Supporting sentences

2 Exercises

III The concluding sentence

1 The concluding sentence

2 End-of-paragraph signal in the concluding

212424

1 Unity

2 Example

II Coherence

a Repetition of key nouns

b Use of consistent nouns

c Transition signals

d Logical order

III Exercises on Unity and coherence

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INTRODUCTION

In teaching English, writing is considered a productive skill because it

is the process the writer creates a product In communication, it is also theimportant skill; through writing a person can convey a variety of messages

to a close or distant, known or unknown reader In daily life, it is very useful

in learning; for example, when an applicant needs to write a letter for a job,

or email in business In high school, writing is considered vital skill toevaluate students’ efficiency Writing becomes common in exams, especiallyGCSE However, writing skill is not tested only with multiple choicequestions such as sentence transformation but also through writing aparagraph, or a composition, a letter or so on As a teacher of English at ahigh school and from the real process of teaching and learning nowadays, Irealized problems and difficulties of students in this skill They oftencomplain writing in English is very difficult; they do not how to write, how

to express their ideas and their writings are full of mistakes or errors ofgrammar, use of vocabulary or unity or coherence, punctuation and so on.They say that they hate writing, and it is too complicated especially studentsstudying group A (Math, Chemistry, Physics) and even students in group D (Math, English and Literature) are also upset because they cannot get highmarks in every mock tests at high school

In school year 2014-2015, the education affair combines GCSE anduniversity entrance exam together The graph of students’ band scores isvery disappointing and in Vinh Phuc, it is no exception In English test inGCSE in Vinh Phuc last year, I observed that many students let their paperwithout writing anything and even went out of the room early When I askedthem why they did not write the task, they said that they did not have no idea

to write Many teachers marking their test also told me that they workedvery quickly because many students wrote nothing From my point of view,

weak writing skill can be one of reasons that affect students’ results inEnglish test

Understanding this problem, I taught student how to write and designed asystem of exercises which as suitable to my students Most of students at myschool study group A, and only one group C and D, A1 Exercises focus onhow to write a paragraph , which are typical in GCSE First, exercises helpstudents recognize the structure of a paragraph, the topic sentence,supporting sentences and the concluding sentence Then, exercises on parts

of a writing them and how to write them effectively These exercises arepresented in each section and designed from easy level to difficult one;which are appropriate to each group of students

Personally, my writing may gain some goals:

- It focuses on concepts or definitions of writing a typical paragraph, which

is necessary for students’ evaluation of competence nowadays

- It proves the power of practice With a system of exercises, students have chance to get acquainted with types of writing a paragraph and composition

as well as writing frequently, which will help them overcome writing tasks easily

- The content of my writing also helps both teachers and students understandclearly stages of writing a paragraph It can be considered as useful materials

or references that orient them in writing tasks in GCSE nowadays

- In addition, the exercises help teachers save time and efforts in teaching writing and in planning lessons Moreover, students become more confident after doing these exercises

Part A: THE PROCESS OF WRITING

- Writing is process, not a product

- There are four main stages that I teach my students: prewriting, planning,writing, and revising drafts & writing the final copy to hand in

I Stage 1: Prewriting

After choosing and narrowing a topic, the next prewriting step is to generateideas by a process called brainstorming This helps ss:

+ Get you started writing more quickly and save their time in the later stage

of writing process 2 techniques of brainstorming are:

- Write down the general topic at the top of their paper

- Make a list of every idea that comes into their mind about that topic.When listing, ss should keep the idea flowing and should not worry aboutwriting down information off the topic because they can cross it later Theycan also use words, phrases, sentences, and not worry about spelling,grammar

II Stage II: Planning

1 Step1: Making sublists

- In this step, ss can take a sublists and cross out any items that don’t belong

or that aren’t useable

e.g: Communication problems

A poor verbal skills

- lack vocabulary

- poor pronunciation

B Americans difficult to understand

- use incomplete sentences

- use unclear expressions

- talk too fast

- use slang and idioms

2 Step2: Writing the Topic sentence

The topic sentence expresses the central focus of paragraph

- Ss should write the main points and subpoints in the order in which they

plan to write about them.

- This will help students to stay on the topic and to write a well-organised

2 have poor pronunciation

B Americans are difficult to understand

1 use incomplete sentences

2 use unclear expressions

3 talk too fast

4 Use slang and idioms

(Alice Oshima Ann Hogue, Longman, 2006)

III Stage 3: Writing and revising drafts

1 Step1: writing the First Rough Draft

In this step ss will:

- write down the topic sentence and underline it; this reminds them of the

focus of their paragraph

- leave margins A margin will help add details, information, examples or

check spelling

- write the paragraph, following ss’ outline as closely as possible

- can add ideas that aren’t in the outline if you are certain they are relevant to

the topic

- add or cross out unnecessary details

Exercise : Write the rough draft for the following topic sentence.

My drama classes have given me confidence

Jogging is my favourite sport for several reasons

Stamp collecting is an educational hobby

2 Step 2: Revising content and organization

In this step, ss will:

- revise content, organization, unity, coherence, and logic but they shouldn’t

correct grammar, sentence structure, spelling, punctuation because it is

proofreading, which can be done later

- read over your paragraph carefully- focus on the general aspects

- check to see how you achieve your stated purpose

- check logic and coherence

- check topic sentence and main focus (supporting ideas)

- check unity

- check transition signals

- concluding sentences

Step 3: Proofreading the second draft

In this step, ss will:

- check over each sentence for correctness and completeness: no fragments,choppy or run-on sentences

- check over each sentence for a subject and a verb, subject-verb agreement,tenses …

- check the mechanics: punctuation, spelling, capitalization, spelling

- change vocabulary words as necessary

Step 4: Write the final copy

- In this step, ss will write the final copy

Part B: PARAGRAPH SRUCTURE

- A paragraph structure includes 3 parts:

The topic sentence

The supporting sentence

The concluding sentence

I The topic sentence

1 The topic sentence

- Every good paragraph has a topic sentence It is a complete sentence

- Usually but not always is the first sentence in the paragraph

- Is the most important, briefly indicates what the paragraph is going todiscuss It limits the topic to one or two areas that can be discussedcompletely in a single paragraph The writer can see what information toinclude and the reader can see what the paragraph is going to be about

- There are 3 important points to remember about a topic sentence

1 A topic sentence is the most general statement in the paragraph because itgives main ideas, not give any specific details

2 A topic sentence is complete sentence; it contains a subject, a verb and/ or

A surprise party is a kind of party (too general)

There were 14 guests at my surprise birthday party (too specific)

Effective: My classmates gave me an unforgettable surprise party for my

18th birthday

My friend is an honest person

TOPIC CONTROLLING IDEA

My friend is the funniest person I know

TOPIC CONTROLLING IDEA

2 Positions of the topic sentence

The topic sentence may be the first or last sentence in a paragraph It ishelpful to your reader if the paragraph is very long

E.g:

Hurricanes

Hurricanes, which are also called cyclones, exert tremendous power

These violent storms are often a hundred miles in diameter, and their windscan reach velocities of seventy-five miles per hours or more Furthermore,the strong winds and heavy rainfall that accompany them can completelydestroy a small town in a couple of hours The energy that is released by ahurricane in one day exceeds the total energy consumed by humankindthroughout the world in one year

Medical Miracles to Come

By the year 2009, a vaccine against the common cold will have beendeveloped By the same year, the first human will have been successfullycloned By the year 2014, parents will be able to create designer children.Genetic therapy will be able to manipulate genes for abilities, intelligence,and hair, eye, and skin color, By 2020, most diseases will be able to bediagnosed and treated at home, and by 2030, cancer and heart disease willhave been wiped out These are just a few examples of medical miracles thatare expected in the next few decades

3 Exercises

Exercise 1: Read and mark the best topic sentence with a T

My car always smells like exhaust fumes I have had two flat tires this year Sometimes it will even start in the morning

… a My car smells, has flat tires, and will not start

… b So it is time to get a new car

… c I have a lot of trouble with my car

Key: C

Exercise 2: Identify the Parts of a Topic Sentence

Circle the topic and underline the controlling idea in each of the following sentences

1 Living in a college dormitory can be a stressful experience for newlyarrived students

2 The spread of AIDS can be slowed by educating the public

3 In my opinion, many television commercials for cosmetics lie to women

4 Owning an automobile is a necessity for me

5 It is an expensive luxury to own an automobile in a large city

Key:

1 Living in a college doritory can be a stressful experience for newlyarrived students Topic Controlling ideas

2 The spread of AIDS can be slowed by educating the public

Topic controlling ideas

3 In my opinion, many television commercials for cosmetics lie to women Topic : television commercials

Controlling idea: lie to women

4 Owning an automobile is a necessity for me

Topic controlling idea

5 It is an expensive luxury to own an automobile in a large city

Controlling idea topic

Exercise 3: Circle the topic and underline the controlling idea

1 Hiking is the best way to explore nature closely

2 My uncle had a frightening experience as a young man

3 Text messaging has become popular among teenagers

4 Effective time management requires four easy steps

5 Every student should take a computer course

Key:

1 Hiking is the best way to explore nature closely

2 My uncle had a frightening experience as a young man

3 Text messaging has become popular among teenagers

4 Effective time management requires four easy steps

Topic Controlling idea

5 Every student should take a computer course

Controlling idea topic

Exercise 4:

In the following pairs, circle the number of the best topic sentence Then explain your choice to a partner Say why the sentence you didn’t choose

is weak Use one or more of these reasons:

- It’s too bad

- It’s too narrow

- There is no main idea or opinion

- There is more than one main idea

- It’s too bad

- It’s too narrow

- There is no main idea or opinion

- There is more than one main idea

a 1 Many people in England and the United States have cats

2 Cats are good company for their owners

b 1 Studying English in high school helps you get a better job

2 We study English in high school

c 1 The food and people in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea are very interestingand different, and so are the buildings

2 Traditional Japanese food is different from Korean food

d 1 My grandfather has helped me in many ways

2 My grandfather is 86 years old

e 1 I really like sports

2 Baseball has taught me many things about life

f 1 There are many environmental problems around the world

2 It’s important to save the rainforests in South America

g 1 Snow skiing on the highest mountainsides requires great skills

2 Snow skiing is fun

h 1.Exercises is healthful

2 Jogging is healthful for several reasons

i 1.Camping is a great outdoor activity

2 Camping requires a variety of special equipment

j 1 The legal age for drinking alcoholic drinks should be twenty-one forseveral reasons

2 Drinking is dangerous to your health

k.1 Hong Kong is an exciting city

2 Hong Kong is a shopper’s dream world

l 1.The violence on television can affect children’s emotional well being 2.Watching television is a waste of time

m 1 Smoking is a bad habit

2 it is difficult to quit smoking for three reasons

Key:

a 1 Many people in England and the United States have cats (too general)

2 Cats are good company for their owners (better)

b 1 Studying English in high school helps you get a better job (better)

2 We study English in high school (too general)

c 1 The food and people in Japan, Taiwan, and Korea are very interestingand different, and so are the buildings ( There is more than one main idea )

2 Traditional Japanese food is different from Korean food (better)

d 1 My grandfather has helped me in many ways (better)

2 My grandfather is 86 years old ( It’s too narrow & It’s too bad)

e 1 I really like sports It’s too bad & too general

2 Baseball has taught me many things about life (better)

f 1 There are many environmental problems around the world It’s too bad

& too general

2 It’s important to save the rainforests in South America - too general

g 1 Snow skiing on the highest mountainsides requires great skills toogeneral

2 Snow skiing is fun (better)

h 1.Exercises is healthful Too general

2 Jogging is healthful for several reasons Better

i 1.Camping is a great outdoor activity – too general

2 Camping requires a variety of special equipment – better

j 1 The legal age for drinking alcoholic drinks should be twenty-one forseveral reasons (better)

2 Drinking is dangerous to your health (general)

k.1 Hong Kong is an exciting city (general)

2 Hong Kong is a shopper’s dream world (better)

l 1.The violence on television can affect children’s emotional well being.(better)

2.Watching television is a waste of time (general)

m 1 Smoking is a bad habit (general)

2 it is difficult to quit smoking for three reasons (better)

Exercise 5: Writing topic sentence

Use each word or phrase below to write a topic sentence with a controllingidea Then share your sentences with a partner

- Supporting sentences add information about the topic and the controlling

idea They can include definitions, explanations, and examples

Definition

E.g: Dependency on computers means that young people cannot perform the

normal tasks and functions of daily life without them

Supporting explanation

E.g: In the old days, people memorized important information, but today’s

youth rely on their computers, cell phones, and PDA’s to do assignments,record numbers, and save important information As a result, they can findthemselves unprepared in an emergency such as an electrical blackout Oncetheir batteries die, these people will not be able to communicate

Supporting example

E.g: For example, I do all my schoolwork on my computer When my

computer crashed last week, I lost my only draft of an essay that was due thenext day As a result, I got a bad grade

2 Exercises

Exercise 1: Identifying topic sentences and supporting sentences

For each set of sentences, write TS next to the topic sentence Write SS next

to the supporting sentences

1 … a Mosquitoes are attracted to heat

…….b Mosquitoes will fly several miles to find food

…….c Only the female mosquito bites

…….d Mosquitoes are interesting insects

2 …a One of my hobbies is listening to international music

……b I have a large collection of world music recordings

……c My friends and I like to introduce each other to new internationalartists we discover

……d I enjoy going to concerts by musicians from different countries

3 a I like the way people decorate their homes and stores

b I enjoy going shopping in cold weather

c I enjoy the parties and celebrations of the winter holiday

d I really like the winter holidays

4

a My new apartment has big closets

b My new apartment is perfect for my roommate and me

c My new apartment is close to school and work

d My new apartment is not too expensive for students

Exercise 2: Brain storming supporting sentences:

First, read each topic sentence Then write a question about the topic.Finally, add two more supporting points to each list