Language
Learning Center
Writing Workshop for Multilingual
Speakers and Writers
Matthew David Collins Pizzorno
Adjunct Faculty
Palomar College and ALCI: CSU San Marcos
Your Academic
Writing GPS:
Topic Sentences
and Thesis
Statements
Upon finishing this workshop, you will be able to:
• Understand the basic organization of an
Academic Paragraph and Essay.
• Understand how a Topic Sentence gives
directions to your Paragraph.
• Understand how a Thesis statement gives
direction to your Essay.
• How does this picture relate to an
Academic Paragraph??????
What is the form of an academic
paragraph?
 Topic
Sentence
 Supporting
Sentences
 Concluding
Sentence
Topic sentence
Main Idea
Controlling idea
Registering for classes at California State University can be a frustrating Experience
Let’s Practice These
concepts…
Best writing Website of all
time….
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/
Essay Organization
I.
Introduction Paragraph:
(This is where your
thesis statement should
go.)
II. Body Paragraph 1
III. Body Paragraph 2
IV. Body Paragraph 3
V. Concluding Paragraph
Thesis Statement
Handout…
Contact Me:
Mpizzorn@csusm.com
Ideas
for future
workshops?????????????
Sign
in Sheet
Questionnaire