WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?
A paragraph is a group of sentences that develop one main idea. The first sentence of a paragraph is indented, that is, it begins a
little bit more to the right of the margin than the rest of the sentences in the group. The main idea of the paragraph is often referred
to as the topic.
Read the following paragraphs and then identify the topic of each.
1.
Smoking cigarettes can be an expensive habit. Considering that the average price per pack of cigarettes in this state is
at least $8.00, people who smoke two packs of cigarettes a day spend $16.00 per day on their habit. At the end of one
year, these smokers have spent $5,840.00 But the price of cigarettes is not the only expense cigarette smokers incur. Since
cigarette smoke has an offensive odor that permeates clothing, stuffed furniture, and carpeting, smokers often find that
these items must be cleaned more frequently than those of nonsmokers. Additionally, smoking affects one’s health and
productivity, so health and life insurance cost more for smokers than for nonsmokers. There is also some evidence that
smokers generally earn less at work than nonsmokers, possibly because they are perceived as being less productive and
successful. Although it is difficult to estimate these additional costs, one can see that these hidden expenses do contribute
to making smoking an expensive habit.
This paragraph is about: ____________________________
2.
Many of the countless fad diets regularly published in magazines and books are crash diets. A crash diet usually does
result in an initial rapid weight loss. However, the weight loss is caused by a loss of body water and lean muscle mass
rather than body fat. Sudden weight loss of this type is followed by a plateau period; that is, a period in which weight does
not decrease. Disillusionment is apt to occur during this period and may cause the dieter to on an eating binge. This can
result in regaining the weight that was lost and sometimes more. This weight gain in turn causes the dieter to try another
weight loss diet, creating a yo-yo effect.
This paragraph is about: ____________________________
3.
Another reason why I like the beach is its solitary atmosphere. At the beach, I have no witness but the beach, and I can
speak and think with pleasure. No one can interrupt me, and the beach will always be there to listen to everything I want to
say. In addition, it is a quiet place to go to meditate. Meditation requires solitude. Many times when I am confused about
something, I go to the beach by myself and find that this is the best place to resolve me conflicts, solve problems, and
think.
This paragraph is about: _____________________________
4.
Smoking cigarettes is hazardous to your health. Many years ago, a United States government study was released that
linked the intake of tar and nicotine found in cigarettes with the development of cancer in laboratory animals. The evidence
was so overwhelming that the United States government required cigarette manufacturers to put a warning on the outside
of each package of cigarettes that says, “Warning: The Surgeon General has determined that cigarette smoking is
hazardous to your health.” Aside from the most serious and dreaded disease, cancer, cigarette smoking also can aggravate
or promote other health problems. For example, smoking can increase discomfort for people with asthma and emphysema.
It can give one a smoker’s cough and contribute to bronchitis. Finally, recent studies have shown that cigarette smokers are
more susceptible to common colds and flu. Whether you get an insignificant cold or the major killer, cancer, smoking
cigarettes is hazardous.
This paragraph is about: ________________________________
The topic of a paragraph is usually introduced in a sentence called the topic sentence. However, the topic sentence can do more
than introduce the subject of the paragraph. A good topic sentence also serves to state an idea or an attitude about the topic. This
idea or attitude about the topic is called the controlling idea; it controls what the sentences in the paragraph will discuss. All
sentences should relate to and develop the controlling idea. To illustrate, look at the following topic sentence to identify the topic and
controlling idea:
Smoking cigarettes can be an expensive habit.
In this sentence, the topic is the habit of smoking cigarettes; the controlling idea is that smoking can be expensive.
Study the topic sentences. Underline the topic and bold the controlling idea in each one. Note: They may be expressed in more than
one word. The first one has been done for you.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Another way to reduce the rate of inflation is to balance the federal budget.
A final advantage Serena Williams has on the court is her constant aggressiveness.
A properly planned science course should include a unit on political implications of experimentation.
Einstein’s unsuccessful attempt to get nuclear weapons banned was disappointing to him.
One of the biggest problems with athletic scholarships is that more attention is paid to sports than education
Some words that appear to be equivalent in English and Spanish are deceptive.
Another reason air pollution is hazardous is that it damages Earth’s ozone layer.
Although bright, Nicolas is a very shy child.
9. Another problem for students is finding a part-time job.
10. Savings bonds are also a safe investment.
A topic sentence serves to introduce the topic and controlling idea. For this reason, the topic sentence is usually placed at or near the
beginning of the paragraph. However, depending on the kind of paragraph, the topic sentence may be placed near the middle or
even at the end of the paragraph. Sometimes, neither the topic nor the controlling idea is explicitly stated in one sentence. In this
kind of paragraph, the topic and controlling idea are implied, that is, they are suggested in the development of the paragraph.
When learning to write well, it is usually a good idea to state the topic sentences clearly—not only to be certain that the idea is clear,
but also to help control the development of the paragraph.
Once you have a clear and focused topic sentence and controlling idea, the next step is to provide supporting sentences and
details. Supporting sentences serve to clarify, illustrate, explain, and prove the point you make in your topic sentence. Most often
we use factual details to support a point. These details may include personal observations or statistics, examples, and quotes from
resource materials such as websites, books, and magazines. Finally, most paragraphs will end with a conclusion sentence. The
conclusion sentence ties everything back together. Conclusion sentences re-state the topic and controlling idea in different words and
sometimes provide transitions into the next paragraph.
Take a look at the first paragraph about smoking again.
Smoking cigarettes can be an expensive habit. The average price per pack of cigarettes in this state is at least $8.00.
People who smoke two packs of cigarettes a day spend $16.00 per day on their habit. At the end of one year, these smokers have
spent $5,840.00 But the price of cigarettes is not the only expense cigarette smokers incur. Since cigarette smoke has an offensive
odor that permeates clothing, stuffed furniture, and carpeting, smokers often find that these items must be cleaned more frequently
than those of nonsmokers. Additionally, smoking affects one’s health and productivity, so health and life insurance cost more for
smokers than for nonsmokers. There is also some evidence that smokers generally earn less at work than nonsmokers, possibly
because they are perceived as being less productive and successful. Although it is difficult to estimate these additional costs, one can
see that these hidden expenses do contribute to making smoking an expensive habit.
Topic Sentence: Smoking cigarettes can be an expensive habit.
1.
2.
3.
Supporting Sentence: The average price per pack of cigarettes in this state is at least $8.00.
a. Detail: People who smoke two packs of cigarettes a day spend $16.00 per day on their habit
b. At the end of the year, these smokers spent $5,840.
Supporting Sentence: Since cigarette smoke has an offensive odor that permeates clothing, stuffed furniture, and
carpeting, smokers often find that these items must be cleaned more frequently than those of nonsmokers.
Supporting Sentence: Smoking affect’s one’s health and productivity.
a. Health and life insurance cost more for smokers than nonsmokers
b. There is also some evidence that smokers generally earn less at work than nonsmokers, possibly because they
are perceived as being less productive and successful.
Conclusion Sentence: Although it is difficult to estimate these additional costs, one can see that these hidden expenses do contribute
to making smoking an expensive habit.
Look at the following paragraph and label all the parts (You will not fill in every blank).
Smoking cigarettes is hazardous to your health. Many years ago, a United States government study was released that linked the
intake of tar and nicotine found in cigarettes with the development of cancer in laboratory animals. The evidence was so
overwhelming that the United States government required cigarette manufacturers to put a warning on the outside of each package
of cigarettes that says, “Warning: The Surgeon General has determined that cigarette smoking is hazardous to your health.” Aside
from the most serious and dreaded disease, cancer, cigarette smoking also can aggravate or promote other health problems. For
example, smoking can increase discomfort for people with asthma and emphysema. It can give one a smoker’s cough and contribute
to bronchitis. Finally, recent studies have shown that cigarette smokers are more susceptible to common colds and flu. Whether you
get an insignificant cold or the major killer, cancer, smoking cigarettes is hazardous.
Topic Sentence:
1.
2.
3.
Support:
a. Details:
b. Details:
Support
a. Details:
b. Details:
Support:
a.
Details:
b.
Details:
Conclusion sentence:
Read the following essay. In the high-lighted selections, please label the following:
1. T= Topic sentence
2. S= Supporting sentences
3. C= Conclusion sentence
The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet
The American Heritage Dictionary defines tragedy as "a dramatic or literary work depicting a
protagonist engaged in a morally significant struggle ending in ruin or profound disappointment."
Tragedy engages our hearts and minds and helps us to understand our world. Tragedies make you
think about the things that you have and cherish them. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare is
one of his many respected tragedies. The qualities of fate, impulsiveness, and death told through an
entertaining love story make Romeo and Juliet a superb tragedy.
Fate plays an important role in making Romeo and Juliet a good tragedy. It was destiny that the
Capulet servant was not able to read the list of people who he was supposed to invite to a party and
had to ask a Montague for help. Romeo and Juliet fell in love by chance; they could not help that their
families were feuding. Friar John was quarantined, leaving him no control over the circumstances that
made him incapable of delivering Friar Laurence's letter, which told Romeo that Juliet was waiting for
him in a grave. Cruel twists of fate helped to determine the conclusion of Romeo and Juliet.
Romeo's tragic flaw of impulsiveness is a key part of the story. If he had not been so hasty in
falling out of love with Rosaline and into love with Juliet, the story would not have happened at all.
When he decided to marry Juliet after knowing her for less than a day, Romeo acted foolishly. He
killed Tybalt when he didn't think through and control his feelings. At the conclusion of the story,
Romeo took his own life because he thought that his beloved was dead. Most of the disasters that
took place in the story would not have happened if it weren't for Romeo's reckless decisions.
Death is another crucial element of a well-written tragedy. Tybalt got into a brawl with Mercutio
and killed him, which infuriated Romeo to the point that he revenged his friend's fatality by murdering
Tybalt. After Romeo discovered that his precious Juliet had been killed, he rushed to her tomb and
slew Paris when he found him there. Romeo went into Juliet's grave and drank a deadly poison when
he saw his love and believed her to be dead. Once Juliet awoke and found her beloved deceased,
she proceeded to commit suicide. Lastly, even Lady Montague falls dead from grief upon hearing of
the passing of her son. A requirement for a good tragedy is for it to end with the demise of the
protagonist, and Romeo and Juliet follows that rule well.
What really makes Romeo and Juliet a good tragedy is how quickly and easily it is to be drawn
into the main characters. It seems that all odds are against Romeo and Juliet. The reader of this
tragedy is rooting for them to overcome all of the trials that they face together. When Romeo and
Juliet start to see that they won't be able to suppress all of their problems, the reader feels genuinely
sorry for them. This one factor has the greatest impact on making Romeo and Juliet a good tragedy.
Even the names Romeo and Juliet are one and the same with great love because the story has been
captivating to its audience even though it ends tragically.
Thinking Further
1. The paragraphs above are missing detail sentences. See if you can match the detail sentences below to their
correct supporting sentence. Write the supporting sentence that matches with the detail sentence on the line
provided.
a. In the prologue we learn that they are “star-crossed” lovers, implying that it was fate that made them fall in
love.
________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
b. Romeos words upon seeing Juliet for the first time, “Did my heart love till now? forswear it, sight! For I ne'er
saw true beauty till this night,” are a perfect example of how quickly Romeo tends to fall in and out of love.
________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
c. “O happy dagger!” Juliet exclaims, just before she kills herself, eager to accept death rather than a life
without Romeo.
________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
2. The essay above mentions Romeo as having the tragic flaw of impulsiveness. A tragic flaw is a character trait,
which may not necessarily be bad, that eventually brings a character’s downfall or death. Can you list other
characters with tragic flaws?
3. Think about the following characters, what might be their tragic flaws? (more than 1 possible answer)
a. Jack from Titanic:
b. Mufasa from the Lion King:
c. Anakin Skywalker from Star Wars:
d. Maximus from Gladiator: