Presentation on how to write good paragraphs for an intermediate level according to the CEFR.

1. Writing paragraphs, it is
easier than you think!
David Estrella I.
CELEX Academic Writing Center

2. What is a paragraph?
Definition
• A group of related sentences that develop one
main idea.
• It has three components
• Unity
• Development
• Coherence

3. What is a paragraph?
A paragraph has three main parts
1. Topic sentence
2. Supporting sentences
3. Concluding sentence

4. Don’t forget # 1
In English every sentence has the following
format:
Subject + Verb + Object
Marcos plays baseball in the park.

5. The writing process…
Before you begin to write, you should ___.
a. finish homework for your other clases.
b. get some ideas.
c. ask your friends for help.

6. The writing process…
Your teacher wants you to read a classmate’s paper
because ___.
a. You can learn a lot from your classmate’s work.
b. Your teacher is too busy to read all the papers.
c. You are better writer tan your classmate.

7. The writing process…
Your teacher wants you to write your paragraph again
because ___.
a. Your teacher can’t think of any other homework.
b. The first time your paragraph sucked.
c. Your paragraph can be better if you make
some changes.

8. Don’t forget # 2
In English every time you write a verb you need
a subject before it.
I bought a new computer. Is nice.

9. Don’t forget # 2
In English every time you write a verb you need
a subject before it.
I bought a new computer. It is nice.

10. The topic sentence
Usually the first sentence.
Controls the content.
Everything is about it.

11. The topic sentence
Controls or guides

12. The topic sentence
It is specific

13. The topic sentence
It is specific
Tea is delicious

14. The topic sentence
It is specific
Green tea has many benefits.

15. The topic sentence
It is not too specific

16. The topic sentence
It is not too specific
This dictionary has more
than 42,000

17. The topic sentence
Snowboarding is my favorite winter sport.
Topic: snowboarding
Main idea: winter sport

18. The topic sentence
Reading novels such as Harry Potter stories, can
help students improve their English.
Topic: Reading novels
Main idea: help students improve English

19. The topic sentence
Disneyland is a great place for a family vacation.
Topic: Disneyland
Main idea: a great place for a
family vacation

20. Be careful with verbs in present simple:
Eddie swims in the pool.
Libertad studies hard.
Don’t forget # 3
He
She + Verb (-s / -es)
It

21. Don’t forget # 3
What are the mistakes in the sentences?
1. Most people lives near the coast because the
interior is too dry.
2. I’m not sure if Mary really have a Little lamb.
3. The more Veronica know the better results she
will get in the test.

22. The Supporting sentences
• The body of the paragraph
• Illustrate controlling idea
• Give details
• Examples
• Facts
• Statistics

23. The Supporting sentences
Different kinds - explain
The family moved from the village to the capital
due to economic reasons.

24. The Supporting sentences
Different kinds - describe
Veronica lived in a lovely, two-story house.

25. The Supporting sentences
Different kinds – give facts
More tan 10% of the people surveyed said they felt
economy would improve.

26. The Supporting sentences
Different kinds – give examples
For instance, oranges and grapefruits grow in the
coast of Ecuador.

27. The Supporting sentences
Different kinds - define
My grandmother has a samovar, which is a large urn
used to keep food warm.

28. The Supporting sentences
I need to look for a new job.
a) Since we now have another child, my salary really isn't
enough for our family.
b) I like working with my brother.
c) The commute is very long, and I would like to spend
more time with my family.
d) This is a tough economy, and I am lucky that I still have
a job.

29. The Supporting sentences
Students need to learn good ways to study.
a) Sometimes doing homework in a group can be
helpful.
b) Making friends is important to happiness and
success.
c) Many high-paying jobs require a college degree.
d) Studying instead of sleeping doesn't help learning
or test scores.

30. Don’t forget # 4
Supporting sentence -> Topic sentence

31. Don’t forget # 4
On my last vacation I went to Salinas. This last
vacation we had a great time because we went
driving to other beaches and had a lot of fun. I
have a house in Salinas. We spent a lot of time
having really good lunches. One day we had lobster
termidor, it was excellent. We also spent time in
Chipipe, because this is a family beach.

32. Don’t forget # 4
On my last vacation I went to Salinas. This last
vacation we had a great time because we went
driving to other beaches and had a lot of fun. I
have a house in Salinas. We spent a lot of time
having really good lunches. One day we had lobster
termidor, it was excellent. We also spent time in
Chipipe, because this is a family beach.

33. The concluding sentence
What is a concluding sentence?
• Last sentence.
• Logical conclusion.

34. The concluding sentence
What do we do in the concluding sentence?
• Re-state

35. The concluding sentence
What do we do in the concluding sentence?
• Suggest

36. The concluding sentence
What do we do in the concluding sentence?
• Give opinion / prediction

37. The paragraph
A career in the Sky
If you are searching for an interesting career, think about becoming
a flight attendant. First of all, flight attendants receive a large amount
of training for their job. They learn about interpersonal skills,
customer service and safety. Second, every time flight attendants go to
work, their scenery changes. They could be in Korea one day and New
York the next. Sometimes they even get to stay in a city one day or two
before flying home. In addition, flight attendants get reduced prices on
airline tickets for vacation. Imagine spending no more than a few
dollars for a flight anywhere in the world! For a truly exciting career,
consider becoming a flight attendant because the benefits are worth it.

38. Homework
You decide to spend the day enjoying the sunny weather. And that’s
great, until you see him (or her)—but who? This person looks exactly
like you, but you know that you don’t have a twin. And what’s this,
he (or she) is coming to you—angrily. Who is this, and why are is this
person so mad?

39. Bibliography
• Bailey, S. (2006). Academic Writing: A handbook for
international students (2nd ed.). New York, NY:
Routledge.
• Edmands, B. (2012). Brainstorming. Retrieved April 14,
2016, from
http://writing.colostate.edu/guides/teaching/gentopi
c/pop4d.cfm
• Folse, K. S., Muchmore-Vokoun, A., & Vestri, E. (2010).
Great Paragraphs (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Heinle
Cengage Learning.
• Zemach, D. E., & Islam, C. (2005). Paragraph Writing:
From sentence to paragraph. Oxford: Macmillan.