Writing Simple Paragraphs

1. Paragraphs are a very important part of English composition to master. They generally consist of 3 parts:

• the main idea, sometimes called the topic sentence;
• the main body of the paragraph where you develop your idea;
• the conclusion.

2. Organize your paragraph carefully.

• One way to start is by making a list of ideas you want to include in your paragraph.
• Write a sentence that says what your paragraph is about. You may want to change your topic sentence after you finish writing your paragraph, if you find you've written about a different topic.
• Link sentences by using pronouns referring to words in previous sentences.
• Link sentences by repeating key words or words that are synonyms of key words from previous sentences.
• Organize your paragraph by using words such as first, second, in conclusion, etc.
• Link sentences by using transitional words such as, however, but, therefore, furthermore, then, to sum up, etc.

Example paragraph:

Whenever I smell strong tobacco smoke when I'm in an enclosed space such as a room, train, or aircraft, I begin to get angry. There are several reasons. First, medical researchers have shown that secondhand smoke, that is, the smoke from other people's cigarettes, causes cancer and other health problems. If the smoke were car exhaust or burning trash, we would put out the fire and open the windows to get rid of the smoke. Second, it stinks. The smoke drifts away from the smoker and fills the room. Even if I am not sitting close to the smoker, my hair and clothes pick up the smell. Third, I'm slightly allergic to smoke; therefore, my nose stuffs up when I smell tobacco smoke. Am I saying that all smoking should be banned? Of course not. Smokers have a right to smoke. However, the right of people to breathe pure air must always be put before the right of smokers to pollute that air.

Write a paragraph on one of these topics:

• What is your first (or second) impression of life at Tokoha University? or What could be done to improve student life at Tokoha?
• What is the most important issue facing the Prime Minister?
• What is the most important change in the world you have seen in your life so far?
• Choose your own topic.