METU / SFL Fall 2021

DBE
WHO 3
INTERMEDIATE GROUP
(Instructor’s Copy)
Paragraph Structure
Objectives: Students will have
1. gained awareness of and practiced forming a correct topic sentence with a focus on the topic and
the controlling idea,
2. gained awareness of and practiced forming appropriate major and minor supporting sentences,
3. gained awareness of appropriate concluding/summarizing sentences,
4. gained awareness of and practiced analyzing a paragraph,
5. practiced the elements introduced in this handout by answering the given question.

WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?
A paragraph is a group of sentences about a single topic. A typical paragraph begins with a topic
sentence, which introduces the topic and the controlling idea. The supporting sentences that follow
support the idea in the topic sentence with explanations, reasons and other details. The concluding
sentence brings the paragraph to an end.
I. TOPIC SENTENCE
A paragraph is usually about one main idea and the topic sentence tells us this main idea. It is usually,
but not always, the first sentence of a paragraph. It is the most important sentence because it controls
all the other sentences. The readers can predict what will be discussed in the paragraph based on the
topic sentence.
A good topic sentence should not be too general or too specific. If it is too general, the writer will not be
able to support the topic in one paragraph. If it is too specific, the writer won’t have enough to write
about in the rest of the paragraph. Look at the following topic sentences.

1) Being unemployed is a problem.

This statement is too general to be developed adequately into one paragraph. There is too much to say
about the topic.
2) Being unemployed causes depression.
This statement is too specific to be developed into a paragraph. There isn’t enough to say about the
topic.
3) Being unemployed poses two main difficulties for a person.
This statement is neither too general nor too specific. It would be easy to support this sentence in one
paragraph.

An effective topic sentence does two things:

a) It introduces the topic of the paragraph.
b) It contains a controlling idea that tells the writer’s opinion, attitude, or idea about the topic.

Examples:

Being overweight has two main negative effects on the body.

Topic controlling idea
There are two main negative effects of being overweight on the body.
controlling idea topic

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TASK 1. For each topic sentence below, draw a circle around the topic and underline the controlling idea.
e.g. Living in a big city has two advantages.
1. There are two main causes of traffic accidents.
2. Sesame Street is one of the most popular children’s television programs in the world.
3. Our lives have changed dramatically with the invention of the computer.
4. There are two effective ways to deal with stress.
TASK 2. Choose the best topic sentence for the given paragraphs.
1. ___________________________________________. First of all, studying abroad promotes personal
growth and self-confidence. When students live with their parents, most of them do not cook, wash
the dishes, or take care of their laundry. However, when they are abroad, and far from their families,
students have to do their own chores and learn to take care of themselves. For example, they have to
cook their own food, shop and pay their bills. All of these things contribute to a student’s personal
growth and confidence. Secondly, students get the opportunity to learn a foreign language when
everyone around them speaks that language. It has been proven that spending time in a foreign
country is the fastest and most effective way of learning the language of that country. For instance, a
foreign student in Britain will learn to speak English fluently because he will be surrounded by English
all the time. To conclude, studying abroad can be one of the most exciting and enriching
opportunities for those students who want to develop themselves in different ways.

a) Being a student abroad helps develop self-confidence

b) Studying abroad offers students two main advantages
c) Living abroad helps people in many ways
d) The best way to learn a foreign language is to study abroad

2. _____________________________________________. First of all, life in Toronto is not expensive.

There are many cheap restaurants in the city, and students can find a variety of food at reasonable
prices in these places. Also, the rents in Toronto are not high. There are various housing alternatives
with low rents, so students don’t have to pay a lot for accommodation. Secondly, education in
Toronto is of high quality. There are world-famous universities as well as good language schools. All
of them offer students excellent education with experienced staff. In short, students should consider
studying in Toronto because of the low cost of living and high standard of education there.
a) Toronto is the most ideal city in Canada for two main reasons
b) Toronto has the best universities in the world
c) Toronto is an ideal city for students to study in for two main reasons
d) Toronto is the best city to live in for two main reasons

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TASK 3. Write a suitable topic sentence for each of the paragraphs below.
1. Françoise Lunea is the most suitable candidate for our position of Chief Sales Representative for
two reasons. First of all, she has the academic qualifications. She graduated from the Business
Administration Department of the University of Provence. She also has a Master’s Degree in Finance
and has published many papers related to her field of study. Secondly, she has seven years of sales
and marketing experience. Thanks to this experience, she knows many people in the sector.
Moreover, she is familiar with the potential problems that can arise in the workplace. Therefore, she
can come up with quick solutions. (To sum up, having the relevant education and the necessary
experience are the reasons why Françoise Lunea is the best candidate for the position of Chief Sales
Representative.)

2. There are two main ways to stay healthy. Having a good diet is one thing a person can do to stay
healthy. Consuming too much fat, sugar or processed food is known to cause several health
problems. It also negatively affects the person’s energy. Therefore, people who want to maintain a
healthy lifestyle should stay away from such food, and try to consume fresh fruit, vegetables and
healthy homemade food instead. Another way to stay healthy is to exercise. Regular exercise helps
prevent a wide range of health problems, including stroke, diabetes, depression and a number of
types of cancer. It also helps prevent excess weight gain and promotes better sleep. (To sum up, one
can stay healthy if s/he has a balanced diet and exercises regularly.)

II. SUPPORTING SENTENCES

After you have stated your point in the topic sentence, you need to support it. The supporting
sentences develop or support the controlling idea in the topic sentence. In terms of organization,
there are two types of supporting sentences:
a) Major supporting sentences: These sentences are the main details (like subdivisions of the topic
sentence) that tell us about the topic sentence, and that need further detail and explanation in
the form of minor supports.
b) Minor supporting sentences: These sentences are explanations, reasons, results, facts, statistics
and examples about the major supporting sentences.
Examples:
1. Topic Sentence: The new language school has brought several economic benefits to our community.
Major supporting sentence: (1st benefit) Many local teachers are employed in the language school.
Minor supporting sentence: The average income of the families in our community has increased.
(Result)

2. Topic Sentence: The new technique for language learning is valued for two important characteristics.
Major supporting sentence: The first important characteristic of this new technique is speed.
Minor supporting sentence: This new technique enables learners to communicate in the new
language in a very short time. (Explanation) For example, with this new
technique, a student learning Spanish can pick up the basics of this
language in as little as six weeks. (Example)

*You may clarify your explanations using THAT IS or IN OTHER WORDS.

Examples:
Tom is bilingual. That is/In other words, he speaks two languages.
The disaster affected only people with low incomes; that is/in other words, it affected only the poor.
* When you give an example, you may use FOR EXAMPLE / FOR INSTANCE / TO ILLUSTRATE.
Examples:
Students can use the media to improve their listening skills. For example / For instance / To illustrate, they
can watch TV programs in English.
Accommodation costs are low; for example / for instance / to illustrate, the rent of an average apartment with
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three bedrooms is only 300 TL.

TASK 4. Choose the best major supporting sentence for the paragraph below.
1. Species become endangered for a wide variety of reasons. ____________________________ For
example, many tropical forests, the habitats of thousands of species, are being destroyed at an
irreversible rate, threatening many species with extinction. Overexploitation, that is, the utilization
of a species at an excessive rate, is another reason for the endangerment of species. Among many
examples of severe overexploitation, the case of the great whales stands out as one of the most
dramatic. By the middle of the 20th century, unrestricted whaling had brought many species of
whales to incredibly low population sizes. Still another factor threatening species is pollution.
Pollution resulting from industrial activities in particular has threatened many species, including the
African Wild Dog and the American Peregrine Falcon, with extinction.
a) Habitats in which many different species live are always undergoing changes to which species
must adapt.
b) First, each animal and plant species has a native environment called the habitat, where it grows
naturally.
c The destruction of habitats, or native environments, by human activities is the most important
reason.
a) Some species fail to react quickly to rapid changes in their habitats while others quickly adapt to
them.

TASK 5. Choose the best minor supporting sentence for the paragraph below.
1. The IMF does not provide healthy solutions for developing and underdeveloped countries. Firstly,
the decisions about which countries and under what conditions these countries may borrow money
are made by rich countries. (1) ________ Moreover, the IMF will only lend money to countries if
they agree on certain conditions. However, these conditions increase poverty. Another drawback is
that the livelihoods of people in poorer countries are destroyed by unfair competition from foreign
goods and services. (2) ________ For example, local food restaurants reduce their prices to be able
to compete in the food market. Lastly, the IMF does not give good financial advice. Countries which
have followed its advice have suffered by having to deal with unemployment, inflation and
devaluation. Furthermore, they are still trying to cope with the consequences. In summary, the IMF
tries to help countries develop economically but unfortunately, it only causes more financial
problems.
i) Rich countries, including the USA, France and Germany, have very strong economic growth.
ii) Poor countries have little say about loans and the conditions attached to them.
iii) Borrowing money means having more cash flow; therefore, these countries increase their wealth.
iv) As foreign investment enters a country, local investment tries to keep up with the competition.
v) However, people are not willing to compete with foreign investment.
Mark the best choice.
a) Blank 1: i; Blank 2: ii
b Blank 1: ii; Blank 2: iv
c) Blank 1: iii; Blank 2: iv
d) Blank 1: i; Blank 2: v

TASK 6. Now write a major supporting sentence and a minor supporting sentence for the following
topic sentences.
1. There are two main reasons why English is an international language.
Major supporting sentence: One reason is that it is the language of science.
Minor supporting sentence: Most of the publications on science are written in English for a more
global audience.
2. Students can improve their English language proficiency in two ways.

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 Major supporting sentence: Firstly, students can read books to improve their English.
Minor supporting sentence: Reading books helps to recycle language structures and learn new
words.
III. CONCLUDING/ SUMMARY SENTENCES

The last sentence of a paragraph signals the end of the paragraph and leaves the reader with important
points to remember. The paragraph can be finished with a concluding sentence, in which you reach a
conclusion or make predictions, give advice, offer suggestions, or a solution based on the preceding
ideas. The paragraph can also be finished with a summary sentence, in which you reword or rephrase
the topic sentence.
Below are some expressions that can be used to signal the end of a paragraph:
To introduce a concluding sentence: To introduce a summary sentence:
In conclusion, In brief,
To conclude, In short,
In summary,
To summarize,
To sum up,

*** Note that not all paragraphs have to have a concluding/summary sentence. This depends on the
writer’s preference.

TASK 7. Read the following paragraphs, and choose the best sentence to finish them. Discuss why.
(Please allow time for students to discuss why one is better than the others, and make sure they
understand that we do not start a totally new argument in the conclusion.)
1. Science-fiction books are very enjoyable to read for two main reasons. To begin with, science-fiction
books usually have fascinating stories that take place in the future or on other planets. For example,
Frank Herbert’s famous series Dune takes place on a desert planet where there is almost no water.
The giant worms on the planet are considered gods and live for thousands of years. The unusual story
in the book entertains the reader. Secondly, science-fiction books broaden the reader’s horizons.
They narrate unusual lifestyles in distant galaxies, and they also touch upon many political,
philosophical, economic, or environmental issues. Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed, for example,
enables the reader to have a critical look at anarchism as a political system. __________________.
a. In conclusion, science-fiction books should be a part of high school education
b. To conclude, people could read science-fiction books to have fun and to improve themselves at
the same time.
c. In brief, Dune is considered to be a much better series than Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Dispossessed
d. To sum up, science-fiction books are quite interesting and entertaining

2. A trip to Istanbul is an unforgettable experience for foreign tourists. To begin with, there are a lot of
places to visit in the city. They can visit the city’s historic sites, such as the Topkapı Museum, the Blue
Mosque, and Hagia Sofia. In addition, there are many museums in the city, like the Istanbul
Archaeology Museum, the Istanbul Modern Art Museum and the Rahmi Koç Museum, where visitors
can learn much about the city’s history and art scene. Secondly, the nightlife in this city is exciting for
foreigners. There are hundreds of bars, night clubs and concert venues for them to have fun in. In
this eclectic city, there is something for every taste. For instance, if you enjoy live music, you can go
to Babylon, or if you prefer electronic music, you can go to Indigo. __________________.
a. In short, Istanbul’s night life is more exciting than that of other Eastern countries
b. In conclusion, Istanbul is famous for its historic sites and food
c. To sum up, Istanbul leaves good memories in the minds of local tourists
d. In brief, Istanbul is a popular destination for foreign travelers

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 BEFORE YOU WRITE

Read the paragraph below, and complete the analysis.

Students should choose online education for two main reasons. First, it provides them with
flexibility. With online courses, they have the opportunity to attend classes whenever they want and
wherever they have Internet access. As a result, students can study at their own pace in a setting
that works for them. In addition, students no longer have to worry about missing classes because
they can arrange their class hours according to their own schedule. Second, studying online is cost-
effective. The tuition that students pay for online education is affordable. That is, they can pay for it
without difficulty. Moreover, they can save money by avoiding the expenses that are common at
traditional schools. Without the need to leave home to spend a semester or a year in a distant city,
young people can substantially save on expenses such as transportation, housing and food costs. In
short, because it is both flexible and cost-effective, online education should be preferred by many
students.

What is the topic sentence in the Students should choose online education for two main
paragraph? reasons.
What is the topic? Online education
What is the controlling idea? Two main reasons why some students should choose
online education
How many supporting ideas are there in Two reasons:
the paragraph? List them. 1. flexibility
2. cost-effectiveness
Are there any enumerators in the First
paragraph? If yes, write them in the box. Second
How does the writer end the paragraph? By summarizing the reasons.

PRE-WRITING TASK
Many young people take part in the Work and Travel program in the United States during their summer
holidays. Read the leaflet below, and note down the reasons why young people should join the Work
and Travel program.

What better way to spend your summer break than in

the US? You'll come back with memories and
friendships that will last a lifetime and work
experience that will make your CV stand out from the
rest.
Summer Work & Travel USA allows eligible students
to work in the US during their summer holidays for a
maximum of three months. You can also travel up to a
maximum of 30 days at the completion of the program.
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 “I’d always lived with my parents, and it was my
first time moving somewhere far away. It really
helped me to be a responsible person and
become who I am.” Tarık Şanlı, Turkey.
"It was a great experience not to be missed. I had
an awesome time, earned a lot of money while
practicing my language skills, met some great
people, and visited awesome places. It also looks
great on the résumé to have overseas work
experience." Marina Antoine, Italy.

Reasons why young people should take part in the Work and Travel program

 _____________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________
 _____________________________________________________

WRITING TASK
Why should young people join the Work and Travel program? Write two main reasons, and
explain them by providing examples or explanations in about 120-150 words.
In your answer, make sure that you combine your sentences using conjunctions and transitions that
show reason, result, addition, and examples.
STEP 1:
BRAINSTORM: Study the list, and choose two of the reasons. Then, brainstorm how you can support
them by giving examples or explanations.

Young people should take part in the Work and Travel program for two main reasons.
1st Major: In order to be a responsible person

1st Minor: Students live away from their parents, and they have to do everything on their own.

2nd Major: In order to broaden their horizons

2nd Minor: Students meet new people from different countries, eat different types of food,
learn about different cultures.

STEP 2: Write your paragraph and submit it to your instructor on ODTÜClass.

STEP 3: Instructor Feedback

You instructor will check your work and give you feedback. Make necessary corrections. Rewrite and
submit your final draft to your instructor ODTÜClass.