Introduction to
English Essay Writing
Dr. Peih-ying Lu
November 15, 2010
Outline
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I. Organization of a Paragraph
A. Topic Sentence
B. Supporting Sentences
C. Concluding Sentence
D. Model Paragraph
II. Organization of an Essay
I. Organization of a Paragraph

A paragraph has three parts: a topic sentence,
several supporting sentences, and a concluding
sentence.
A. Topic Sentence
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A topic sentence at the beginning of a
paragraph gives reader an idea of what they
will read.
A topic sentence is neither too general nor
too specific.
A. Topic Sentence
=a Topic+ a controlling Idea
The topic sentence tells what topic the paragraph is
going to discuss.

The topic sentence is the most important
sentence in a paragraph. It has two parts: a
topic and a controlling idea.
A. Topic Sentence
1.
2.
The topic names the subject of the
paragraph.
The controlling idea controls or limits the
topic to a very specific point or points.
B. Supporting sentences
The supporting sentence give details about the
topic.
 Supporting sentences explain the topic by
giving more information about it.
 Tip: you can use signal phrases, “for
example,” or “for instance” to begin a
supporting sentence.
C. Concluding Sentence
The concluding sentence summarizes the main
points or restates the topic sentence in different
words.
 Tip: Begin with a conclusion signal.
Conclusion signals: All in all, In brief, In
conclusion, Indeed, It is clear that…, These
examples show that…, You can see that…
D. Model Paragraph:
A Hawaiian Wedding
The mix of cultures in Hawaii makes weddings there
very special occasions. Certainly, Hawaiian clothing,
music, and other Hawaiian customs play a big role.
For example, the bride often wears a long white
holoku (wedding dress), and the groom wears a longsleeved white shirt and pants with a red sash around
his waist. Both the bride and the groom wears leis
(necklace made of flower) …Another Hawaiian
custom is…. Other customs included in the festivities
depend on the ethnic backgrounds of the couple. For
instance, …. All in all, a Hawaiian wedding is truly
a magical, multicultural event.
Questions on the Model
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Look at the title. What is the topic of the
paragraph?
Look at the first sentence. What does it say
about the topic?
Now look at the last sentence. What idea
from the first sentence is repeated here?
II. Organization of an Essay
Introductory Paragraph:
Thesis statement (like a topic sentence in a
paragraph, it names the topic of the essay.)
Body
supporting paragraph A (a subdivision of the topic)
supporting paragraph B (a subdivision of the topic)
supporting paragraph C (a subdivision of the topic)
Concluding Paragraph: Restatement or summary of the
main points; final comment.