REVIEW

What is a paragraph?Necessary to write a letter

A paragraph is a group of sentences that supports, explores, defends, examines, analyzes, describes, develops, etc. only ONE idea.

 

TASK

Write a paragraph expressing your opinion about the

influence of TV upon families.

PAIR WORK:

Although some parents don’t allow their children to watch

television, I believe that television can be good for families. First

of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for families with

young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too expensive to

take the whole family to the movie theater, the family can sit in

their living room with bowls of homemade popcorn and watch a

movie on television. In the same way, television can be a good

teacher. For example, small children can learn many things, such

as the alphabet and numbers on children’s programs. In addition,

nature programs teach them about earth and how to care for it.

Parents can also use television dramas as a way to start

conversations with their children about important subjects.

Finally, television lets children see a bigger picture of the world

than their own small neighborhood. Some families cannot travel

all over the globe, so the news shows them views of other people

and places. Television also brings other cultures into homes

through special cultural programs. In a nut shell, watching TV

can be beneficial for families under the right circumstances.

Discussion: Look at the paragraph now and identify its different parts.

Although some parents don’t allow their children to

watch television, I believe that television can be good for

families. First of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for

families with young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too

expensive to take the whole family to the movie theater, the

family can sit in their living room with bowls of homemade

popcorn and watch a movie on television. In the same way,

television can be a good teacher. For example, small children

can learn many things, such as the alphabet and numbers on

children’s programs. In addition, nature programs teach them

about earth and how to care for it. Parents can also use

television dramas as a way to start conversations with their

children about important subjects. Finally, television lets

children see a bigger picture of the world than their own small

neighborhood. Some families cannot travel all over the globe,

so the news shows them views of other people and places.

Television brings other cultures into homes through special

cultural programs. In a nut shell, watching TV can be beneficial

for families under the right circumstances.

TOPIC SENTENCE

Although some parents don’t allow their children to watch television, I believe that television can be good for families. First of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for families with young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too expensive to take the whole family to the movie theater, the family can sit in their living room with bowls of homemade popcorn and watch a movie on television. In the same way, television can be a good teacher. For example, small children can learn many things, such as the alphabet and numbers on children’s programs. In addition, nature programs teach them about earth and how to care for it. Parents can also use television dramas as a way to start conversations with their children about important subjects. Finally, television lets children see a bigger picture of the world than their own small neighborhood. Some families cannot travel all over the globe, so the news shows them views of other people and places. Television also brings other cultures into homes through special cultural programs. in a nut shell, watching TV can be a good thing for families under the right circumstances.

Topic:Introduces the general theme.

What subject are you going to write about?

Controlling idea:

Limits the topic.

What do you want to say about the topic?

Controlling idea:

Generates a question Wh…?

Although some parents don’t allow their children to watch

television, I believe that television can be good for families. First of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for families with young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too expensive to take the whole family to the movie theater, the family can sit in their living room with bowls of homemade

popcorn and watch a movie on television. In the same way, television can be a good teacher. For example, small children can learn many things, such as the alphabet and numbers on children’s programs. In addition, nature programs teach them about earth and how to care for it. Parents can also use television dramas as a way to start conversations with their children about

important subjects. Finally, television lets children see a bigger picture of the world than their own small neighborhood. Some families cannot travel all over the globe, so the news shows them views of other people and places. Television also brings other cultures into homes through special cultural programs. in a nut shell, watching TV can be beneficial for families under the right circumstances.

SUPPORTING SENTENCESAnswer the question

generated by the controlling idea.

Further developme

nt.

Although some parents don’t allow their children to watch television, I believe that television can be good for families. First of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for families with young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too expensive to take the whole family to the movie theater, the family can sit in their living room with bowls of homemade popcorn and watch a movie on television. In the same way, television can be a good teacher. For example, small children can learn many things, such as the alphabet and numbers on children’s programs. In addition, nature programs teach them about earth and how to care for it. Parents can also use television dramas as a way to start conversations with their children about important subjects. Finally, television lets children see a bigger picture of the world than their own small neighborhood. Some families cannot travel all over the globe, so the news shows them views of other people and places. Television also

brings other cultures into homes through special cultural programs. In a nut shell, watching TV can be beneficial for families under the right circumstances.

CONCLUDING SENTENCELinking sentence

Summarizes or restates the main

idea as expressed in the topic sentence.

In an essay:It often links the current

paragraph to the following one.

It may anticipate the topic sentence of the next

paragraph.

Although some parents don’t allow their children to watch television, I

believe that television can be good for families. First of all, television is inexpensive entertainment for families with young children. On a rainy afternoon, if it is too expensive to take the whole family to the movie theater, the family can sit in their living room with bowls of homemade popcorn and watch a movie on

television. In the same way, television can be a good teacher. For example, small children can learn many things, such as the alphabet and numbers on children’s programs. In addition, nature programs teach them about earth and how to care for it. Parents can also use television dramas as a way to

start conversations with their children about important subjects. Finally, television lets children see a bigger picture of the world than their own small neighborhood. Some families cannot travel all over the globe, so the news shows them views of other people and places. Television also brings other cultures into

homes through special cultural programs. In a nut shell, watching TV can be beneficial for families under the right circumstances.

TRANSITION WORDSMake the flow of

ideas smooth

Make the flow of ideas smooth and

easy to read.

ACTIVITY 1

Read the topic sentences carefully.

Circle the topic and underline the controlling idea.

1.) ____________________________________________. North Americans send cards for many occasions. They send cards to family and friends on birthdays and holidays. They also send thank-you cards, get well cards, graduation cards, and congratulation cards. It is very common to buy cards in stores and send them through the mail, but turning on the computer and sending cards over the Internet is also popular.

a) Sending cards is very popular in North America.b) Birthday cards are the most popular kind of card.c) It is important to send thank-you cards.

ACTIVITY 2

Read the supporting sentences and choose the best topic sentence.

2.) __________________________________________ . I enjoy summer sports like water skiing and baseball. The weather is usually sunny and hot, so I can go to the beach almost every day. Gardening is my hobby and I spend many summer days working in my garden. Unfortunately, the days pass too quickly in summer.a) I like to garden in summer.b) Summer is my favorite season.c) Summer is to short.

3.) ________________________________________ . First of all, we need money to repair old roads and build new roads. We also need more money to pay teachers’ salaries and to pay for services such as trash collection. Finally, more tax money is needed to give financial help to the poor citizens of the city. It is clear that the city will have serious problems if taxes are not raised soon.a) We should raise city taxes.b) City taxes are too high.c) City taxes pay for new roads.

4.) _________________________________________ . For example, a person can have breakfast in New York, board an airplane, and have dinner in Paris. A businesswoman in London can instantly place an order with a factory in Hong Kong by sending a fax. Furthermore, a schoolboy in Tokyo can turn on a TV and watch a baseball game being played in Los Angeles. a) Airplanes have changed our lives.b) Advances in technology have made the world seem smaller.c) The fax machine was an important invention.

5.) ___________________________________________ . One thing you must consider is the quality of the university’s educational program. You also need to think about the school’s size and location. Finally, you must be sure to consider the university’s tuition to make sure you can afford to go to school there.a) It is expensive to attend a university in the United States.b) You should consider getting a good education.c) There are several factors to consider when you choose a university to attend.

Writing a paragraph

Write a paragraph about the city in Peru you like the most.

From all the cities in Peru, the one I like the most is Trujillo. This city offers its residents a wide range of services. You don’t need to walk for too long to find a hair salon or medical lab, any average citizen can find almost anything he needs pretty fast. Besides, it has many attractions to visit. Many interesting landmarks can be explored by both locals and visitors, like Chan-Chan or Huanchaco beach. In a nutshell, Trujillo is a city which can win the heart of anyone.

Session 2 goal

Students will be able to recall how to write an

opinion letter, identifying its parts.

Writing an ECCE opinion/suggestio

n letter

What are the most popular attractions in the city?

Do you think Trujillo attracts a lot of tourists?

What can we do to boost tourism?

Model 1

THE CITY TIMES

Plans to attract more tourists to our area.

Following meetings with members of the Town Council, the Mayor has announced that he is planning to develop tourism on a wider scale. An aggressive advertising campaign is planned to be started in order to triple the number of current visitors. Local residents are divided on this issue. Many believe it to be an excellent idea as it will bring new life to the area. Others are concerned about the unpleasant consequences that may arise from an influx of foreign visitors. The editor would like to know more about readers’ views on this proposal.

Task A: LETTER

You have read this article in your local newspaper. Write a letter to the editor of the city times expressing your opinion on the issue. Do you agree with the Mayor’s proposal? What effects do you think this plan to develop tourism in your area will have? Start your letter: “Dear editor,”

Prompt:

Task:Asks the reader to write a

letter expressing an opinion or suggestion on the issue.

Newspaper article:Describes an issue

THE CITY TIMES

Plans to attract more tourists to our area.

Following meetings with members of the Town Council, the Mayor has announced that he is planning to develop tourism on a wider scale. An aggressive advertising campaign is planned to be started in order to triple the number of current visitors. Local residents are divided on this issue. Many believe it to be an excellent idea as it will bring new life to the area. Others are concerned about the unpleasant consequences that may arise from an influx of foreign visitors. The editor would like to know more about readers’ views on this proposal.

Task A: LETTER

You have read this article in your local newspaper. Write a letter to the editor of the city times expressing your opinion on the issue. Do you agree with the Mayor’s proposal? What effects do you think this plan to develop tourism in your area will have? Start your letter: “Dear editor,”

Questions to focus on

They need to be address in the letter.

Always indent your

paragraphs

No space between

paragraphs

Try not to divide a

word since division rules are complex.

Don’t forget to sign

SalutationDear Editor,

I recently read your article in the latest edition of The City Times about the Mayor’s proposal to boost tourism in our city. And, as a local resident and shop owner, I would like to express my point of view. I believe that the results of implementing this plan will be highly beneficial to our community. In the lines below, I will briefly outline some reasons to support my view. To start with, tourism is without doubt an excellent way to improve the local economy. This would happen because visitors spend money on accommodation, entertainment and souvenirs, all of which can be made available in our region. Therefore, local hotel and restaurant owners, as well as manufacturers and crafts people, would be considerably better off financially. However, the financial aspect will not be the only benefit. The horizons of our local people would also be widened through their contact with various cultures from other countries. This interaction with tourists from different countries would promote a better understanding of foreign customs, and would lead our citizens to have a sense of pride in their own traditions and heritage. Given the above, I am in favor of an increase in tourism in our region as I believe it will enhance the quality of life for all concerned both from a financial and cultural point of view.

Yours sincerely

Hellen Keller

Dear Editor,

I recently read your article in the latest edition of The City Times about the Mayor’s proposal to boost tourism in our city. I am writing this letter to express my point of view. As a local resident and shop owner, I firmly believe that the results of implementing this plan will be highly beneficial to our community. In the lines below, I will briefly outline some reasons to support my view.

INTRODUCTORY PARAGRAPH MODEL 1Where did you learn about the

issue?Summarize

the issue

Why should they pay

attention to your letter or opinion?

What is the purpose of the letter?

What is your opinion or

suggestion?

Linking sentence

To start with, tourism is without doubt an excellent way to improve the local economy. This would happen because visitors spend money on accommodation, entertainment and souvenirs; therefore, local hotels and restaurant owners, as well as manufacturers and crafts people, would be considerably better off financially. However, the financial aspect will not be the only benefit. The horizons of our local people would also be widened through their contact with various cultures from other countries. This interaction with tourists from different countries would promote a better understanding of foreign customs, and would lead our citizens to have a sense of pride in their own traditions and heritage. This situation would be more than positive for our citizens.

First reason, consequence or suggestion

stated in a topic

sentence

Second reason,

consequence or suggestion

stated in a topic

sentence

Development of topic

sentence

BODY MODEL 1

Linking sentence

Concluding sentence

CONCLUDING PARAGRAPH MODEL 1

Given the above, I am in favor of an increase in tourism in our region as I believe it will enhance the quality of life for all concerned; both from a financial and cultural point of view.

Yours sincerely,

Helen Keller

Closing

Conclusion: restate opinion and main points

Signature