HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH
Parts of a Paragraph
1. Topic Sentence
2. Supporting Details
3. Closing Sentence
How to Write a
Paragraph
1. Prewriting Paragraphs
2. Writing Paragraphs
3. Editing Paragraphs
4. Publishing Paragraphs
Kinds of Paragraphs
1. Definition 5. Sequence
2. Classification 6. Choice
3. Description 7. Explanation
4. Compare and Contrast 8. Evaluation
PART 1: Parts of a Paragraph
1. Topic Sentence
What is the topic sentence?
The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph.
What does it do?
It introduces the main idea of the paragraph.
How do I write one?
Summarize the main idea of your paragraph. Indicate to the reader what
your paragraph will be about.
Example:
There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in
the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All
Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price.
Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by
well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at

has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained
teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally,
Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have
many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is
a desirable place to live .
PART 2: How to Write a Paragraph
1. Prewriting Paragraphs
What is the prewriting stage?
The prewriting stage is when you think carefully and organize your
ideas for your paragraph before you begin writing.
Six Prewriting Steps:
1. Think carefully about what you are going to write. Ask yourself:
o What question am I going to answer in this paragraph or essay?
o How can I best answer this question? What is the most important
part of my answer?
o How can I make an introductory sentence (or thesis statement)
from the most important part of my answer?
o What facts or ideas can I use to support my introductory
sentence?
o How can I make this paragraph or essay interesting?
o Do I need more facts on this topic?
o Where can I find more facts on this topic?
2. Open your notebook. Write out your answers to the above questions.
You do not need to spend a lot of time doing this; just write enough to
help you remember why and how you are going to write your paragraph
or essay.
3. Collect facts related to your paragraph or essay topic. Look for
and write down facts that will help you to answer your question.
Timesaving hint: make sure the facts you are writing are related to the
exact question you are going to answer in your paragraph or essay.

Grammar and Spelling
1. Check your spelling.
2. Check your grammar.
3. Read your essay again.
4. Make sure each sentence has a subject.
5. See if your subjects and verbs agree with each other.
6. Check the verb tenses of each sentence.
7. Make sure that each sentence makes sense.
Style and Organization
1. Make sure your paragraph has a topic sentence.
2. Make sure your supporting sentences focus on the main idea.
3. Make sure you have a closing sentence.
4. Check that all your sentences focus on the main idea.
5. See if your paragraph is interesting.
4. Publishing Paragraphs
What is the publishing stage?
The publishing stage is when you produce a final copy of your
paragraph to hand in.
Three Publishing Steps:
1. Make a paper copy of your paragraph.
2. Show your work to your teacher, tutor, or parents.
3. Ask them for hints on how to improve your writing.
PART 3: Kinds of Paragraphs
1. Definition Paragraph
When writing a definition paragraph, you take a thing or an idea and
explain what it is.
Example: Write a paragraph giving the definition of a pest.
The following words can help you to write a good definition
paragraph:
1. "is defined as"

or thing is like. Sometimes, you may describe where a place is located.
Examples
Write a paragraph describing what a polar bear looks
like.
Describe where Canada's industry is located.
The following words can help you to write a good description
paragraph:
Properties Measurement Analogy Location
size length is like in
colour width resembles above
shape mass/weight below
purpose speed beside
near
north/east/south/west
Properties
Size
Example: Polar bears are big in size.
Colour
Example: Polar bears are usually white in colour.
Shape
Example: Polar bears have a special shape.
Purpose
Example: The purpose of the polar bear's fur is to keep it warm.
Measurement
Length
Example: The length of a polar bear's claws is 20 cm.
Width
Example: The width of a polar bear's head is about 50 cm.
mass / weight
Example: Polar bears weigh up to 650 kg.

both however
also but
too in contrast
as well differs from
while
unlike
Similarities
is similar to
Example: Spring weather in Vancouver is similar to spring weather in
Halifax.
Both
Example: Both Vancouver and Halifax have rain in the spring.
Also
Example: Halifax also has a rainy spring season.
Too
Example: Halifax has a rainy spring season, too.
As well
Example: As well, Halifax has rainy spring season.
Differences
On the other hand
Example: On the other hand, winter is much colder in Halifax.
However
Example: However, winter is much colder in Halifax.
But
Example: Vancouver has a mild winter, but Halifax has a cold one.
In contrast to
Example: In contrast to Vancouver, Halifax has a cold winter.
Differs from
Example: Halifax differs from Vancouver by having a cold winter.
While

After
Example: After winning a seat in the House of Commons, you must
make sure you have a majority of seats.
Finally
Example: Finally, after all these steps, you can call yourself the prime
minister.
at last
Example: At last, you can call yourself the prime minister.
Subsequently
Example: Subsequently, you must make sure you have a majority of
seats in the House of Commons.
Time
Recently
Example: She was recently elected prime minister.
Previously
Example: She is the new prime minister. Previously, she worked as a
lawyer in Toronto.
Afterwards
Example: She won the party leadership last year. Afterwards, she won
the election.
When
Example: When she won the party leadership, she was still working as
a lawyer.
after
Example: After winning a seat in the House of Commons, you must
make sure you have a majority of seats.
6. Choice Paragraph
In a paragraph where you have to make a choice, you need to choose
which object, idea, or action that you prefer. Often, you will need to
give your opinion on a choice of actions or events.

Example: It seems to me that hockey is more exciting than lacrosse.
I prefer
Example: I prefer hockey over lacrosse.
Personal Opinions
Like/dislike
Example: I like the sport of hockey because it is fast and exciting.
Hope
Example: I hope that I can play hockey in the future.
Feel
Example: I feel that hockey is my favorite sport.
7. Explanation Paragraph
In an explanation paragraph, you need to explain how or why something
happens. Very often in social studies class, you will be asked to explore
causes and effects of certain events.
Example: Write a paragraph explaining why so many Europeans
moved to Canada during the nineteenth century.
The following words can help you to write a good explanation
paragraph:
Cause Effect
because therefore
since thus
as a result of consequently
is due to hence
it follows that
if . . . then
Cause
Because
Example: People moved to Canada from Europe during the nineteenth
century because they had poor living conditions in Europe.
Since

certain criteria that you develop. In the paragraph, you will state your
evaluation or recommendation and then support it by referring to your
criteria.
Example: Write a paragraph evaluating whether pesticides should be
used on farms.
The following words can help you to write a good evaluation paragraph:
Criteria for Evaluation Recommendation
good / bad suggest
correct / incorrect recommend
moral / immoral advise
right / wrong argue
important / trivial
Criteria
Good / bad
Example: The use of pesticides such as DDT is bad for the
environment.
Correct / incorrect
Example: The belief that pesticides must be used is incorrect.
Moral / immoral
Example: The use of pesticides to control pests is immoral because it
harms the environment.
Right / wrong
Example: It is wrong to use pesticides because they harm the
environment.
Important / trivial
Example: The issue of pesticides is an important one because it
affects the environment.
Recommendation
Suggest
Example: I suggest that pesticides should not be used to control pests.

o facts
o statistics
o quotations
3. Concluding sentence
o Signals the end of the paragraph
o Summarizes the main points of the paragraph/ restates the topic
sentence without copying exactly
o Gives a final comment on the topic
Vậy trước khi viết một đoạn văn, HS hãy theo các bước sau:
o Liệt kê tất cả những ý có thể nghĩ ra được có liên quan đến chủ
đề đó.
o Đọc chủ đề cho sẵn, rồi chọn viết một câu chủ đề. Gạch chân
câu chủ đề này để nhắc các em về trọng tâm của đoạn văn.
o Viết ra các ý giải thích và làm rõ câu chủ đề.
o Với mỗi ý lớn, hãy viết ra các ví dụ, số liệu…dùng để minh họa.
o Nghĩ cách kết thúc đoạn văn và viết nó ra.
Sau khi đã làm dàn ý như trên, hãy bắt đầu viết và bám sát dàn ý đã
vạch ra.
Để đoạn văn có thể liên kết với nhau và thống nhất trong một mạch
chảy của bài viết, HS phải biết cách sử dụng các từ nối câu cho hợp lý.
Sau đây là bảng các từ/ cụm từ nối.
Useful expressions
Sequencing/ Listing First of all, First(ly), Initially, To begin
with; Second(ly); Third(ly); Next;
Then; After that (this); Following this
(that); Finally; The first reason is…/
The second is…; Last but not least…
Adding to what you have
said
Also, Furthermore, In addition,

• The main idea
- the topic or thesis of the essay
• The guide/ thesis statement (the last sentence of the introductory
paragraph)
- a list of the points that will be discussed, thus showing the
organization of the composition
Ex: There are many things that symbolize the Vietnamese culture.
Among these is the conical leaf hat, a symbol of traditional Vietnamese
girls. The hat is very special because of its physical features and its use.
- Attention getter: There are many things that symbolize the Vietnamese
culture.
- Topic/ thesis: Among these is the conical leaf hat, a symbol of
traditional Vietnamese girls.
- The guide/ thesis statement: The hat is very special because of its
physical features and its use.
2. Body
Các đoạn tiếp theo sau đoạn mở đầu sẽ phát triển tương ứng các ý được
đề cập trong câu chủ đề của bài luận, và cách viết tuân thủ theo cách
viết đoạn văn đã được đề cập trên. Ví dụ, đối với phần mở bài trên, phần
thân bài sẽ có 2 đoạn: Paragraph 1: physical features & Paragraph 2: its
use
3. The concluding paragraph
Là đoạn cuối của bài luận. Thường có 3 cách để viết đoạn kết.
• A summary repeats the main points of the essay.
• A prediction discusses what will happen in the future.
• An evaluation compares the main points and states what is best.
Tóm lại:
Structure of the Paragraph and the Essay
• Main idea (topic sentence or thesis)
• Support for the main idea (a number of supporting details in a

• First of all,…
• On the other hand,…
• It is worth remembering that…
• Another advantage is…
• In addition to this…
• Another point is that…
• What is more,
• Some people believe that…
• To begin with…
2. Contrasting a previous statement or justifying an opinion
a. Common expressions
o On the other hand,…
o In spite of this,…
o It is worth pointing out, however,…
o In contrast,…
o There again,…
o Others feel that…
o Nevertheless/ However? Nonetheless
o That may be true, but…
o In my opinion, it is true to say…
o Personally, I believe/ I do not believe that…
o Having said that, it is important to remember that…
o At the same time, I feel that…
o Although some people feel…
o Perhaps the most important point, however, is…
o Another important consideration is that…
o One of the main arguments against … is…
Several objections to…may be raised.
o All things considered/ On balance, it is fair to say that…
o It is inevitable/ undeniable that…

1. What to write
Khi mô tả một bộ phim/ cuốn sách, HS nên đưa vào các phần sau:
o Title and author
o Type of book/ film
o Characters
o Events in the film/ book
o Your opinion of the film/ book
o Personal recommendation
2. How to write
a. Viết tiêu đề
Tiêu đề phim/ sách thường được gạch dưới hoặc in nghiêng. Từ quan
trọng thường được viết hoa, trong khi các từ chức năng như and, in, a…
thường được viết thường trừ phi chúng là từ đầu tiên của tiêu đề.
Ex: Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands
b. Dùng tính từ để làm cho bài mô tả phim/ sách hấp dẫn
o Type of book/ film: a detective story/ film; a romantic novel; a
love story film; an adventure story; a science fiction novel; a
historical novel; a humorous story; a thriller
o Adjectives to describe film/ book: funny; hilarious; horrifying =
frightening; interesting; gripping; exciting; fascinating;
entertaining; brilliant; realistic; sad; tragic; imaginative;
touching = moving; action-packed; well-written; well-directed;
well/beautifully-filmed; wonderfully-acted…
o Adjectives to describe author/ director: great; skilled; observant;
gifted = talented; perceptive; entertaining…
c. Cấu trúc
o Mô tả: It’s called…; It’s by…; It was (written/ directed/
produced/ published/ designed) by/ in…; It’s by the same
(writer/ director) as…; It’s his/ her first/ second (book/ film); It’s
about/ tells the story of…; It stars…; It’s set in…; It’s based