Nobel Prize-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez greets people from a train window in his hometown of. iacataca, Colombia. eee, = a...) eee aEEE _____=a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_a_agygygee== ELEMENTS OF GREAT WRITING What Is a Paragraph? A paragraph is a group of sentences about one topic or idea It has four main parts: + an indented (moved in) first line + a topic sentence that gives the main idea + a body of sentences all about the main idea + aconcluding sentence activity 1 | Analyzing paragraphs Read the paragraphs and answer the questions that follow. WORDS TO KNOW Paragraphs 2.1 to 2.2 amazing: (ad)) causing great surprise or wonder comfortable: (ad) relaxed and restful bother: (v)to annoy someone relax: (to stop work and enjoy oneself PARAGRAPH 2.1 The Best Place to Relax ‘My back porch is my favorite place to relax. First it has a lot of comfortable chairs with, soft pillows. feel so good when I sit in them. My back porch is also very quiet. can sit and ‘think there. I can even read a great book and nobody bothers me. Finally in the evening, Tean sit on my porch and watch the sunset. Watching the beautiful colors always calms ‘me. I can relax in many places, but my back porch is the best. ena " I eu RLY 1. The topic sentence is the frst sentence. Write it here. 2, What is the main idea of this paragraph? a. The writer likes watching the sunset. b. The writer likes to read a book in a quiet place . The writer likes to relax on her back porch. 30 UNIT 2+ Paragraph Basics‘8. Write the four things the writer does to relax on her porch. ‘a. _She sits in comfortable chairs. b. © a 4, How many sentences are in this paragraph? 5. The concluding sentence is the last sentence, Write it here. Erne The Shanghai Tower ‘The Shanghai Tower in China is an amazing building. It is the tallest building in Shanghai's business district’, and the second-tallest building in the world. The tower has 128 floors, and there are more levels below the building. It has 107 elevators, and they can move 40 mph. There are beautiful gardens on many floors, and the Shanghai ‘Tower has one of the world’s highest observation decks". In addition, the tower is good for the environment. Special machines use the wind to make extra electricity for the building, and the building uses rainwater to keep it cool inside. The Shanghai Tower is amazing inside and out. “distit an are of ty ora countey 2ebeervaton dec: the top ofa building where people can look a everthing below ‘The Shanghai Tower rises above the Shanghai1. What is the topic sentence? Write it here. 2. What is the main idea of this paragraph? a. The Shanghai Tower is good for the environment. b. The Shanghai Tower is tall. c. The Shanghai Tower is wonderfil. ‘8. Write six amazing things about the Shanghai Tower. a b. e f 4, How many sentences are in this paragraph? 5. What is the concluding sentence? Write it here. Mechanics: The Title of a Paragraph A title gives the reader information about what is in a paragraph. A good title: + tells the main topic, but does not tell about everything in the paragraph + is usually short—sometimes only one word + docs not have a period at the end + does not begin with My Paragraph + follows special capitalization rules ‘The capitalization rules for titles are: + always capitalize the first letter of the first word + only capitalize the first letter of the important words in the rest of the title + do not capitalize a preposition or an article unless it is the first word How to Take a Good Picture with a Cell Phone ‘An Amazing Vacation 32 UNIT2 + Paragraph Basicsactivity 2 | Editing titles With a partner discuss what is wrong with each title. Then edit each one to make it a good title. 1. AN INFLUENTIAL INVENTOR 2. A Handbook For International Students In Canada 8. Three Types of Transportation. 4, My Paragraph on a New Technology 5. How to Become an Engineer at NASA in a Very Short Amount of Time 6. The ten Best Movies of All Time 7. This Was the Best Day of My Life. 8, My first car 9, an Unusual Animal 10, the first female astronaut activity 3 | Writing a paragraph Answer the questions. Use complete sentences. 1. Who is a popular person in your country? 2. Whereis this person from? 8. What does this person do? 4, Why is this person popular? 5. Do you like this person? Why or why not? ‘Now write your sentences in paragraph form on a separate piece of paper. Remember to indent the first line and give your paragraph a title.Parts of a Paragraph: The Topic Sentence ‘A good paragraph has a topic sentence. The topic sentence: + tells the main idea of the whole paragraph. + is often the first sentence + should not be too specific or too general Ifa paragraph does not have a topic sentence, the reader may be confused because the organization of ideas will not be clear. activity 4 | Identifying topic sentences Paragraphs 2.3, 2.4, and 2.5 are each missing a topic sentence. Read each paragraph. Then choose the best topic sentence. WORDS TO KNOW Paragraphs 2.3 to 2.6, ‘accident: (r) a harmful or unpleasant event that explore: (to travel around to learn more; to happens by surprise investigate ‘compete: \) to participate in @ contest ‘extremely: (adv) vory damage: (to hurt or injure fan: (0) a person who likes something very much (n) a harmful situation traffic: (0) the movement of cars, trucks, and s0 ‘energy: () activity 'g (Ea 4 { The Problems with Snow J Snow is beautiful when it falls. However, the snow is not beautiful for ‘i very long. When it starts to melt’, the clean streets become wet and difficult to walk on. The sidewalks are slippery’. Snow also causes traffic problems. Some roads are closed. Other roads are difficult to drive on safely. Drivers have more accidents on snowy roads. There are more a 4 roblems with snow than reasons to like i. hike. Ea ‘ose to change fom sb to Bould Heavy snow *lppery: easing people or thing to fll or slide stops trate in Japan. a In December, it usually snows. . Snow does not cause many problems. ¢. Snow is beautiful but it causes many problems. 34° UNIT2 + Paragraph BasiceEte My Favorite City love to see all the interesting landmarks' there. I always visit the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building. It is also fun to explore different areas of the city. ‘My favorites are Chinatown and Manhattan. Most importantly, New York City is full of energy. People from all over the world walk on its streets, play in its parks, and eat its wonderful food. I never feel bored or alone when I am there. I truly* love New York City. andmark: a irtoric building or other point of interest 2a: ely sincerely a, My favorite city is New York City. b. New York City is a very busy city ¢. New York City is also full of energy. rer Ror Road Cycling Pa In road cycling, cyclists compete on public' roads. These roads are usually good, but rain can make them very slippery. Serious accidents are common during this weather. Cyclists also ride very close together. Ifa rider fall, many of the others around him also fall. These accidents can damage bikes and hnurt the riders. Finally, the cyelists are also in danger from their fans. Spectators’ stand along the roads as the bikes speed? past. Fans often run next to the riders or try to touch them, and this can cause terrible problems. Road cycling may look like a safe sport, but it can be extremely dangerous. ‘public mseant fax uve by tho people in the comammmaly, ‘spectator: someone who watches an vent ‘peed: to move quickly a, Road cycling can be a dangerous sport. . Road cycling fans can be a danger to bike riders. c. Road cycling is an extremely exciting sport.activity 5 | Writing topic sentences Read the paragraphs and write a topic sentence for each one. Remember to indent. Then read the paragraphs again. Make sure that each topic sentence gives the main idea for the whole paragraph. WORDS TO KNOW Paragraphs 2.6 to 2.8, heck: (i) to look for information patient: (ad) calm; not easily upset connect: (¥) to reach by phone or Internet plan: (to prepare for something explain: (\) to give information about; make clear taste: (\) to sense the flavor of food and liquids organized: (ad) in good order ure Pasta, Pasta, Pasta First, pasta tastes great. Sometimes I eat it plain’, However, I also like i¢ with butter or cheese. Another reason I like pasta is the variety. There are many types of pasta, but my favorites are spaghetti, macaroni, vermicelli, and lasagna. In addition, pasta is very easy to prepare. I can make pasta in less than 10 minutes. Finally, pasta is a very healthy food for me. A plate of pasta has about 300 calories’, but it has only three grams of fat. I love to cat pasta every day. ‘plain: siemple; with nothing added Calorie: a mente of energy produced by food Erie Why I Love My Tablet! First, it connects me to my school and class. I check my class website for daily assignments and videos. In addition, I put all the due dates? for tests and homework into the tablet's calendar so that I am always ready for class. All my textbooks are also onit.I do not need to carry many heavy textbooks anymore. Finally, use the tablet to complete all my writing assignments. When I finish them, I just email my work to my teacher. I never go to school without my tablet. ‘rable: a portable computer controlled by touch due date: the day something mart be completed 36 UNIT2 + Paragraph BasicsCee aC ary Erne Good Teachers First, good teachers are patient. They explain things again and again. In addition, they are organized. They plan for every class. Good teachers are also encouraging’. ‘They help students understand the subject. Finally, good teachers are fair. They do not give too much or too little work, and they grade students on how good their work is, These are some important qualities” of good teachers. ‘encouraging: giving strength or hope Air jar reasonable quality: something typical of someone's character ad pennouslity Parts of a Paragraph: Supporting Sentences Every paragraph must have sentences that support the topic sentence. These sentences make up the body of the paragraph and are called supporting sentences. They: + give more information about the topic, such as details, examples, or reasons + should not include ideas that are unrelated or unconnected to the topic Read the paragraph below. The two underlined sentences are unrelated to the topic. Making Chi Chill is an easy dish to prepare. To make chili, cut up one large onion. Then fry it ina little vegetable oil, Next, add fresh garlic and some chili peppers. When the onions are soft, add one pound of ground meat. Stir until the meat is cooked. Sprinkle one tablespoon of red chili powder on top. There are many types of chili powder. After that, add four cups of diced tomatoes, one cup of water, and one can of red beans. Cover the pot and cook over low heat for about one hour, Fried chicken also takes about an hour to prepare. This simple recipe creates a delicious dinner.activity 6 | Identifying unrelated sentences ‘Underline the topic sentence and cross out the two unrelated sentences in each paragraph. My Office “My office has everything I need to do my work. On the left side of the room, there is a large desk. My computer sits on top of the desk, and the printer sits under it. keep important documents in its drawers. On the right side of the room, there are two beautiful bookcases. They are full of books, magazines, and computer software. My father makes bookcases and other wood furniture. A telephone and a fax machine are on a small table next to my closet. Ihave trouble remembering my fax number. All my office supplies are in the closet. I enjoy my office very much. ‘An Energetic Neighbor ‘My 96-year-old neighbor, Mrs. Wills, lives alone and takes care of herself. My grandmother lived to be 87. Mrs. Wills goes to the grocery store by herself, and she does all her own cooking. She does not like to eat white rice. Mrs. Wills also cleans her own house. She puts her heavy garbage can by the street for trash collection every week. She exercises by walking on the beach. I hope to have that much energy when Tam 96 years old. ‘A Yupik elder woman harvests grass for baskets in Alaska, USA. Pretend