KOCAELI UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF FOREIGN LANGUAGES

BASIC ENGLISH DEPARTMENT

2024-2025

WRITING PACK 1

Module 2

A2+ /B1
 CONTENT TABLE

PARAGRAPH

Brainstorming ………………………………………………………………… 3,4

Parts of a Paragraph

 Topic Sentence ……………………………………………………………… 5-12

 Supporting Sentences ………………………………………………………………… 13,14
 Concluding Sentence ………………………………………………………………… 15,16,17

UNITY AND COHERENCE ………………………………………………………………… 18,19

PARAGRAPH TYPES

 Opinion Paragraph ………………………………………………………………… 20-25

ERROR CORRECTION
 Error Correction Symbols …………………………………………………………………. 26-28
 Error Correction Practice

APPENDICES

Paragraph Checklist ………………………………………………………………… 29

REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………… 30

2
 PARAGRAPH

Brainstorming

Before you start writing, brainstorming can help you to find some
ideas, and to rearrange them in your paragraph. Brainstorming is the first
step, and it enables you to write your paragraph more easily. While
brainstorming the ideas, you can make use of words or phrases.

You can arrange your brainstorming as you want. That is, you can
write whatever comes to your mind about the topic, such as;

*my teacher *much info

*new things EDUCATION *a good career
*qualified teachers *useful
*new system *a must

You can use phrases, or words in your brainstorming as you can see above.

*I can make *everybody likes-especially my mother

*the best thing in cafes-tea house TEA *it can have some negative sides-insomnia

*kinds of tea-I prefer green tea-healthy

The second one is an example of brainstorming which is like free writing. You can cut the sentences
as you want, or you can add new information next to the word, or phrase.

Notes:
As you can see in the examples, brainstorming has no limitation because this storm of your
ideas is just a beginning part of your paragraph. You cannot limit your ideas. However, there should
be somewhat a relation between the topic and your ideas.

*pencil-red HEALTH *doctors

*beautiful cities
*pills- I hate *long queues in hospitals

*sick for weeks-my mother took care *important for everybody

The two items in the brainstorming above have no connection with the topic, so you should
be careful while organizing your ideas.

3
EXERCISES - PART 1

A. Look at the words and choose which one is the brainstorm of the themes below.

smoking gossip learning pollution family

 cancer  online  unity  expensive

 chemicals  happiness  secrets  factories produce smoke
 dangerous  love  habit  knowledgeable individual
 wonder  bad teeth  value  magazine
 about privacy  language  unhealthy  rubbish everywhere
 new information  motivation  plastic bags  polluted atmosphere

B. Look at the themes below and cross out the irrelevant ideas.

screen-sharing health summer holiday fashion transportatio

online class
participants n
camera check-up ski fabric software
tram vitamin pool colour passenger
breakout-room backpack tanned shoe station

C. Look at the themes below and do brainstorming.

winter beauty universi cars homework

ty

4
 PARTS OF A PARAGRAPH

I. TOPIC SENTENCE

A topic sentence is the key point of an entire paragraph. It means that topic sentence
organizes all the parts of a paragraph, and it always appears at the beginning of this paragraph.

“My first day at Harvard University was the most interesting life experience for me.”

This is the topic sentence of a paragraph. If you look at this sentence, you can predict that whole
paragraph will be about ‘writer’s first day at Harvard University’. Moreover, when the supporting
sentences are all about ‘the most interesting life experience’, it will be a good sample of an
academic paragraph.

Topic and Controlling Idea

A topic sentence has two parts; a topic and a controlling idea. A topic is the subject of the
sentence, in other words, it is the main point. A controlling idea is the limiting part of the sentence. If
you look at the sentence above, you can see that the main point, the topic, is ‘my first day at
Harvard University’. The limiting part, the controlling idea, is ‘the most interesting life experience for
me ‘.

Technology affects us in two important ways.

topic controlling idea

Jenny is one of the most beautiful girls I have ever known.

topic controlling idea

A topic sentence has two main parts: topic and the controlling idea.

Topic Sentence = topic + controlling idea

Caffeine has several harmful effects on health.

Topic Controlling Idea

In this example the topic is "caffeine". A specific comment is then made about the topic: "it has several
harmful effects on health". From this topic sentence, the reader immediately knows that the supporting
sentences will explain or prove how harmful caffeine can be.

5
e.g. Students who are studying abroad may face many difficulties.
Topic Controlling Idea

e.g. There are two main advantages of working at home.

Controlling Idea Topic

The controlling idea may be found:

• at the beginning of the topic sentence

There are two main advantages of working at home.

Controlling Idea Topic

• at the beginning and at the end of the topic sentence, separated by the topic

The two main advantages of working at home are its flexible hours and its comfort.
Controlling Idea Topic Controlling Idea

• at the end of the topic sentence

Working at home is advantageous because of its flexible hours and its comfort.
Topic Controlling Idea

D. Underline the topic and the controlling idea of each topic sentence below.

1. There are some causes of climate change.

2. Climate change causes food supply problems in three ways.

3. Walking is good for your heart.

4. One of the good ways to learn spoken English is watching TV series.

5. Technology spoils the traditional way of life.

6. Nuclear power is our greatest hope for solving the energy crisis.

7. Nuclear power is the greatest threat to life on the planet.

8. There are some disadvantages of AI.

9. Social media is a good way to earn money.

10. Loneliness is the cause of many health problems.

6
 Guidelines for a Topic Sentence

There are some clear points that you should be careful while writing a topic sentence.

 A topic sentence shouldn’t have two controlling ideas. Two controlling ideas in a sentence
mean two supporting ideas, and you can’t write a unified paragraph with these two
controlling ideas.

Not a topic sentence: My sister has got nice and ugly characteristics.
It has two opposing ideas.

Good topic sentence: My sister has got nice and perfect characteristics.
The sentence above has also two ideas, but they complement each other, it does not have two
different views.

Another example,

Not a topic sentence: Going to university has some advantages and disadvantages.
It has two controlling ideas.

Good topic sentence: Going to university has more advantages than disadvantages.
It has one idea.

 A topic sentence shouldn’t be a fact. A fact is true and real information.

Fact: 23rd April is a national holiday in Turkey.

It is a general fact.
Topic sentence: Last 23rd April had two significant effects on my life.
It is a comment.

Another example,
Fact: Environmental pollution is today’s problem.
This is a fact.

Topic sentence: Environmental pollution is today’s greatest problem.

It is a comment.

 You should state the topic clearly in your topic sentence. That is, you must avoid using
personal pronouns or demonstrative pronouns.

Not a topic sentence: He was the ugliest creature in the movie.

The sentence begins with “he” personal pronoun, but you should explain it in a clearer way,
such as;

Good topic sentence: Freddy was the ugliest creature in the movie.

Another example,
Not a topic sentence: That was wonderful for me.
In this sentence, “that” demonstrative pronoun does not explain anything, so you should
mention it clearly, such as;

Good topic sentence: My last holiday was wonderful for me.

7
 A topic sentence is just one sentence, not a combination of two sentences.

Not a topic sentence: My roommate is very valuable for me and he has lots of characteristics.
This example has two sentences, so you should write just one sentence, such as;

Good topic sentence: My roommate must have lots of nice characteristics.

Here, it is a clear topic sentence.

Another example,
Not a topic sentence: I have a sister and she has many abilities.
It has two sentences.

Good topic sentence: I have a sister who has many abilities.

It is just one sentence.

 A topic sentence should be a sentence, not a fragment, in other words, not a phrase or
group of words.

Not a topic sentence: The good sides of living alone.

It is a fragment.

Good topic sentence: There are many good sides of living alone.
This is a sentence, not a fragment.
Another example,
Not a topic sentence: The beauty of the winter.
This is also not a sentence, it is a fragment.

Good topic sentence: The beauty of the winter reminds of me many things.
It is a sentence.

 A topic sentence should not be too general. It should limit the topic and it should have a
clear controlling idea.

Not a topic sentence: Everybody loves ice cream.

The sentence above is not a topic sentence because it is too general.

Good topic sentence: Ice cream is a very popular dessert among children.
This is a good topic sentence because the topic is limited.

Another example,
Not a topic sentence: People like McDonald’s very much.
This is not a good topic sentence because it is too general.

Good topic sentence: Children like McDonald’s very much for many reasons.
Here, we can know that the writer will mention the reason of McDonald’s love of people, so it is
a clear topic sentence.

 A topic sentence cannot be a simple announcement of a subject.

Not a topic sentence: I will write about the positive effects of getting up early.

Good topic sentence: There are three major effects of getting up early.

8
  A topic sentence should not be in question form.

Not a topic sentence: Do you know backgammon?

This is not a topic sentence because it is a question.

Good topic sentence: Backgammon is the most enjoyable game for me.

Another example,
Not a topic sentence: Can you play violin?
It is a question, so it is not a topic sentence.

Good topic sentence: Playing violin is easy if you follow three steps.
This is not a question and it is a clear topic sentence.

E. Look at the topic sentences and decide if they are topic sentences or not. If the sentence is not a
topic sentence, state the reason.

Topic
Not a topic sentence because…
Sentence

This sentence doesn’t have a clear

controlling idea and it is too general.
1. I don’t like vegetables. No

2. The weather is hot in summers.

3. Jane has good and bad sides.

4. There are three different places to go

in Rome.

5. Technology is dangerous and useful

for people.

6. Living in London has a lot of

difficulties.

7. She is more intelligent than the others.

8. Marriage is one of the most

important part of people’s lives.
9. University education is important
and other activities
are important, too
10. The North Brothers café is the
best one for two clear reasons.

9
HOMEWORK : Look at the topics in table below and write a suitable topic sentence for each topic given.

TOPIC: TOPIC SENTENCE:

1.LIVING ABROAD

2.HAVING YOUR OWN

BUSINESS

3.DRONES

4.TV SERIES

5.SOCIAL MEDIA

6.VEGETARIANISM

7.COFFEE

8.BECOMING AN INFLUENCER

9.STREET ANIMALS

10.HUMAN RIGHTS

F. Choose the alternative which might be the best topic sentence.

1. __________________. Blue is a colour that means sadness or coldness to many people. Most people
think of yellow as a bright, cheerful colour. People often say they “see red” when they are angry.

a) People say strange things about colours.

b) To some people the colour red means anger.
c) To many people colours have certain meanings.
d) People’s reaction to colours varies from one moment to another.

2. __________________. The yak is an animal about the size of a small cow. The people of Tibet use it to
carry large and small loads. They drink its milk, eat its meat for food and use its fur to make
clothes.

10
 a) The Tibetan people depend upon the yak in several ways.
b) The yak lives in Tibet.
c) The yak is an important means of transportation in Tibet.
d) The yak is adapted to the climate of Tibet.

3. __________________. A small car is inexpensive to operate because it goes 20 to 30 miles on a

gallon of gasoline. The original purchase price of a small car is considerably less than that of the
bigger models. And of course small cars are easier to park.

a) Small cars are quite economical.

b) A small car has several disadvantages.
c) Small cars have some advantages over big ones.
d) There are several reasons why a person shouldn’t buy a big car.

PRACTICE

G. Write an appropriate topic sentence for the paragraphs below.

1. . First of all, a teacher must be

experienced. S/he must have a good education and life experience so that s/he can be a good guide
for the students. Patience can be another property for a teacher. The more patient s/he is, the less
problems s/he has with his students. Thirdly, a teacher must be interested in his or her students. For
example, when they are bored or sad, s/he can create many activities so that they can enjoy this
time. In short, experience, patience and interest in students’ feelings are important qualities for a
teacher.

2. . In the morning, I went to school

alone. The school was very crowded, but I knew nobody there, so I felt lonely. In the afternoon, new
books were delivered and some information about school was given by the teachers. The books were
very heavy, so I couldn’t carry them, and the information was very strange for me, I understood
nothing. Then, I came back to my dormitory. To sum up, I had a different day on my first day at this
university.

3. . To begin with, his hair is dark and

straight. His eyebrows are thin and thick. His eyes are brown and they are sparkling. His nose is like a
nut. He has got a small mouth. Moreover, the teeth in this little mouth are very clean. Although he
has narrow shoulders, they are muscular. He is neither tall nor short. His hands are small, and there
is a tattoo on his left hand. Shortly, my dear brother is one of the most attractive men I have ever
known.

4. . It has got a very beautiful beach and

its sea is very clear. Furthermore, it has got nice nature. You can breathe the fresh air and feel the
peace in this nature. If you want to travel, you can find many places here. There are interesting and
wonderful cafes, restaurants, shopping malls, too. The history can also attract visitors. There are
many historical places to visit. In short, perfect beach, sea, nature, many beautiful and historical
places make Palermo a fantastic city to visit.

5. . The first one is Turkish folk music. It

is amazing and important for me and for other Turkish people. It includes Turkish custom, culture
and history. In addition, its melody is so nice. The second one is alternative music. It is very different
and attractive. Moreover, it affects people’s, especially teenagers’, emotions. The last and I think the
most important one is metal music. It is unbelievable and fascinating for me. It contains a lot of

11
things which other types don’t have. The lyric, sound or theme of the songs are so different that I
can’t compare it with others. Shortly, these three kinds of music affect me very much.

Homework

H. Write a topic sentence to the subjects below.

1. Computer Games: ________________________________________________

______________________________________________________.
2. Hometown: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________.
3. Movie: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________.
4. Love: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________.
5. Travelling: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________.
6. Friends: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________.
7. English: ________________________________________________
______________________________________________________.
8. Photography: ______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________.
9. Music: _________________
______________________________________________________.

10.Football: ______________________________________________________
_________________

12
II. SUPPORTING SENTENCES

Mostly the topic sentence is at the beginning of the paragraph. The supporting sentences
come after it. They explain the controlling idea. Therefore, the writer must be careful while writing
these sentences since the information must be specific, clear and concrete.
Good and effective supporting sentences support the main idea of the paragraph by giving
details, examples, anecdotes, reasons, facts, statistics, quotations and illustrations.

Here is an example;

Topic: Smoking
Topic Sentence: There are several serious hazards of smoking.
Supporting Points: 1. Major support: Lung cancer
1. Minor support: a high number of diagnosis
2. Major support: Other lung diseases (emphysema, bronchitis)
2. Minor support: their negative impact on quality of life
3. Major support: Risk of heart disease
3. Minor support: an example from the USA
4. Major support: Passive smoking
4. Minor support: effect on others

Hazards of Smoking

There are several serious hazards of smoking. Firstly, there is a direct link
between smoking and lung cancer. A lot of people are diagnosed with lung cancer as a
result of smoking every year. Secondly, smoking is linked to other lung diseases like
emphysema and bronchitis. They have a negative impact on the quality of life. Even
breathing is a big problem for those who have such diseases. Thirdly, smokers have a
greater risk of heart disease later in life. This is evidenced in recent court cases in the
USA where smokers have been awarded damages from tobacco companies. Finally,
there is substantial research that even passive smoking can have long term effects on
health. In short, smoking is a dangerous habit and should be avoided.

13
EXERCISES – PART 2

A. Match the major supporting points below with the correct minor supporting point(s).

1. things to consider when choosing a job: 2. ways to keep away from stress:
salary ______ try to keep yourself busy
position ______ exercise on a regular basis
location ______ healthy diet
a/c working conditions ______ get enough sleep

a. regular working hours a. eight hours sleep a day

b. at a particular place b. take up a hobby
c. a day off c. gardening and painting
d. receiving the payment on time d. no alcohol, no smoking
e. strong position e. walking, yoga and running
f. high payment f. well-balanced meals
g. not far away from the city centre

B. Write three major and six minor supporting points according to the topics given
below.

I. Your reasons to choose your department

1. 1a. ______________________________
1b. ______________________________
2. 2a. ______________________________
2b. ______________________________
3. 3a. ______________________________
3b. ______________________________

II. Advantages of having a mobile phone

1. 1a. ______________________________
1b. ______________________________
2. 2a. ______________________________
2b. ______________________________
3. 3a. ______________________________
3b. ______________________________

C. Write supporting sentences for the topic sentence given below. Use the major and
minor supporting points from Exercise B.

There are three main advantages of having a mobile phone.

Firstly, ........................................ ...........................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
................................................................................................................................................................
..............................................................

14
15
III. THE CONCLUDING SENTENCE
The conclusion of a paragraph signals the end of the paragraph; summarizes the main points of the
paragraph and relates them to the topic sentence or restates the idea in the topic sentence or gives a final
comment on the topic and leaves the reader with the most important ideas to think about.

Sample Paragraph 1 (Restatement)

My Country
My country is one of the best countries in the world for several reasons. Firstly, it gives an
excellent health service to its citizens. These services are not only perfect but also cheap. Secondly, it
provides people free and good education. Everybody can take lessons from professional teachers
without paying any money. Thirdly, the judicial system works very well. The judges give fair decisions at
court. Finally, the people are very friendly. They help each other and do their best to entertain the
tourists. To sum up, my country is a wonderful place to live.

The concluding sentence of the first is restatement. As you see, to make these types of concluding
sentences you should write the topic sentences in other words.

Sample paragraph 2 (Summary)

Frozen Food
I think frozen foods are very useful for people. Firstly, it is very easy to cook them. Even a person
who hasn’t cooked before can prepare these foods. Secondly, they save time. When you are very hungry
and don’t have enough time, you can cook them in a few minutes. Furthermore, these kinds of foods are
very delicious. They taste just like the fresh foods. Because of all these reasons, more and more people
prefer frozen foods today.

As you see in the second sample paragraph, as a concluding sentence you can make a summary of
the major supporting sentences in a single statement.

E. Write a concluding sentence for the paragraph given below.

Good health requires a balanced diet, plenty of exercise, and a positive attitude. First, to keep the
body strong it is important to have a balanced and nutritious diet. For example, it is important to eat many
kinds of fruit and vegetables. Second, getting a lot of exercise is very important for keeping a strong body
and burning off fat. For instance, swimming is an excellent way to exercise and have fun at the same time.
Third, having a positive attitude is the best way to keep a healthy mind and body. For example, an optimist
is usually healthier than a pessimist. ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

16
PRACTICE: Write a topic sentence and a concluding sentence for the paragraphs below.

1.______________________________________________________________________First, you must

decide to buy a new or a used car. New cars can be expensive, but they are reliable. Used cars are cheaper,
but they often need repairs. You must also decide on what type of car to buy. You can research different
types of cars on the Internet to help you choose. The final decision is where to buy your car. Some places
charge you more money than others. ________________________________________________________

2. __________________________________________________________________________________.
First, pasta tastes great. Sometimes I can eat it plain. However, I also like it with butter or cheese. Another
reason why 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 300 calories, but it has only 3
grams of fat.
__________________________________________________________________________________.
3.
__________________________________________________________________________________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 on it. I do not need to carry my heavy textbooks anymore. Finally, I use the tablet
to complete all my writing assignments. When I finish them, I just e-mail my work to my teacher.
__________________________________________________________________________________.

HOMEWORK: Which can be the concluding sentence of the paragraph?

1. California is the most wonderful place to visit because of its weather and its beautiful nature.
Visitors to California can find the weather they like; cool temperatures in the summer and warm weather in
the winter. They can also find the nature they like. They can see high mountains and green lands. Visitors
can enjoy a huge forest and a beautiful coast at the same time.

a. So, California's weather and beautiful nature make it a fantastic place to visit.
b. So, you can do different activities in the winter in California.
c. So, the high mountains and forests affect the weather of California a lot.
d. So, the warm weather and beautiful coasts in California help you have the best summer holiday.

17
2. New York City is a great place because there is a lot to do there. It is the cultural centre of the
USA, so it attracts many foreign and local tourists. In fact, there are many museums and buildings to visit in
New York. One of them is Metropolitan Museum, and people can find the works of many famous artists
there. In New York visitors can spend a wonderful time at the restaurants and bars. They offer different food
from all over the world. .

a. In short, New York is a cultural and historical city.

b. In short, New York is famous for its museums and parks.
c. In short, New York is a great city with a variety of activities.
d. In short, New York is a great place if you like trying different kinds of food.

3. In my opinion, travelling by plane cannot be compared with any other type of transportation. To
start with, there is no faster way to travel. You can go from one country to another in a few hours. Also, you
always feel well looked after on a plane. You are served drinks and meals and offered newspapers and
blankets, which will make the journey more comfortable. Thirdly, it is the safest way of travel. Statistics
show that air accidents are very rare when compared to other ways of transportation.

a. To sum up, air travel will always remain popular because of its speed, comfort and safety.
b. In conclusion, air travel is not a good choice for people because of its many disadvantages.
c. All things considered, different types of transportation have both good and bad points.
d. In conclusion, a lot of people will continue to prefer air travel because of its speed.

18
 UNITY AND COHERENCE
UNITY
Unity is very important in good paragraph writing. All sentences in the paragraph should be
about ONLY ONE main topic and they should be closely related. Any sentence that doesn’t support
the topic sentence is irrelevant.

EXERCISES – PART 3
A. Cross out the irrelevant sentence in each group.

1. Topic: It is interesting to visit foreign countries.

a. You can meet new people.
b. You can eat different kinds of food.
c. It is expensive.
d. You can see the way other people live.

2. Topic: People prefer small cars for a number of reasons.

a. They are cheaper to buy.
b. They use less gas than bigger cars.
c. They are easier to park.
d. Some small cars do not have enough legroom.

3. Topic: Different people spend their free time in different ways.

a. The price of movies has increased recently.
b. Some people like to read.
c. Many people enjoy sports.
d. Some people prefer to listen to music.

B. Read the paragraphs below and cross out the irrelevant sentence in each group.

1. (I) I love the location of my new house for many reasons. (II) First, it is a very safe neighborhood, and
there is almost no crime and most people don't even lock their doors. (III) Second, there are many
stores, schools, restaurants, a library, a health and fitness center and a movie theatre nearby. (IV)
Third, I really dislike the people in the neighborhood because they are unfriendly and have different
life styles. (V) Some people say location is very important when you are looking for an apartment and I
agree.

2. (I) Margot is an old woman about 95 years old. (II) She has so many friends and too much money to
spend. (III) Some people have no money problems. (IV) She lives in a big house near Cardiff and she

19
likes travelling abroad, shopping, visiting and also helping the poor. (V) She will leave all her money to
the people who are in need.
3. (I) Stress can be put into one of two categories: mental or physical. (II) Mental stress is characterized
by such things as worries over money or a loved one's health, loss of a loved one or losing a job. (III)
Physical stress reasons include lack of sleep, poor diet or the effects of an illness. (IV) If you are
experiencing both of these types, you really need help. (V) Therefore, third category is believed to be
the most dangerous one.

COHERENCE
In order to have coherence in writing, the movement from one sentence to another must be
logical and smooth. There must be no sudden jumps.

To achieve coherence;
 make a simple outline
 arrange your major supports in a logical order
 use linking words or signals
 use reference words (pronouns, determiners or synonyms)

EXERCISES

B. Number the following sentences (1-5) in order to form unified and coherent paragraph.

a. ( ) For example, you do not need many clothes.

b. ( ) All things considered, places that are always hot can be chosen for a living thanks to all the positive
sides.
c. ( ) In addition, you do not have to shovel snow or pay heating bills.
d. ( ) Living in a place where the weather is always warm has its advantages.
e. ( ) You can wear lightweight, inexpensive, and easy-to-clean cotton clothing all year.

20
PARAGRAPH TYPES
I. OPINION PARAGRAPH
In an opinion paragraph, we express our ideas or beliefs about a topic with reasons and supports.
Signals Transition Signals

I think The first (second, third) reason is…

In my opinion, Another reason is…
In my point of view, First / Firstly,
Personally I believe that… Second / Secondly,
To me, Third / Thirdly, …
Moreover / Furthermore / In addition,
Finally / Lastly,
The final / last reason is…

Study the first example paragraph below.

Lotteries
I completely agree that lotteries should be banned. Firstly, in my opinion, lotteries are a
waste of money. Every time we buy a lottery ticket, we have less money to buy things we need such
as food or medicine. In addition, I think playing the lottery is very addictive. When we buy a lottery
ticket, but do not win, we may want to buy more and more tickets. Finally, in my point of view,
lotteries are not really a good chance to make money. We cannot use our skills and abilities to win
the lottery. The only thing we can depend on is luck. To sum up, I believe that banning lotteries is a
good idea for these reasons.

Study the second example with its topic sentence, concluding sentence and the signal words.

Get Me Out of Here

Although many people say there are great opportunities in a big city, the life here is not
good for me. First, people do not have enough free time because they are too busy with work and
appointments. Parents and their children do not come home to eat lunch together. Some
employees go to work before the sun comes up and return home after dark. Because of their
schedules, families only spend time together at the weekend. Second, driving is necessary. Everyone
must use a car to go to school or work or the store. I have to drive my children to school, and after
school we go to soccer practice or to other activities. Because there is usually a lot of traffic, I have a
lot of anxiety. Third, the cost of living is very expensive. Like many families, my family lives in an
apartment because we cannot buy a house here. Also, people must spend a lot of money for
entertainment. A visit to the aquarium costs twenty dollars for each ticket. In conclusion, life in big
cities does not appeal to me for these reasons.

21
 EXERCISES – PART 4

A. Read the paragraph below and answer the questions.

1. How many reasons does the writer give for why computer games with violent content are harmful
for the youth? Which sentence(s) tells you that?
2. Circle the words and phrases that signal each new reason.
3. Write the supporting ideas.

I believe that violent computer games are harmful to the youth. Firstly, most young people who play
computer games with violent content, normalize incidents of violence. In time, they become insensitive to
violence in the real world. The next reason is that violent games teach young players to use violence to
solve their problems. For instance, some young gamers resort to physical violence to gain control over their
peers, even their families. Lastly, these computer games make young people isolated. They spend most of
their time in their rooms and as a result they have very few friends and they do not prefer getting socialized.
In brief, I feel that computer games, especially the ones with violence content, are toxic for young people.

B. Read the following paragraph and fill in the blanks with suitable signal words.

The Beautiful Faces of Rio de Janeiro

1
_______________, Rio de Janeiro is the best place on earth because it has something for every
personality. 2_____________, there are the people. Rio is famous because many beautiful people live
there, especially in the beach neighbourhoods, such as Ipanema. The city is very fun during the
Carnival when Brazilians dress up in costumes and dance in the streets and nightclubs. 3___________,
Rio is also beautiful because of its location. The city is on the Atlantic Ocean. There are a lot of
beaches, and they are full of activity every day. The scenery is spectacular as well. You can see great
geological formations, such as the granite mountain called Sugar Loaf, and on another peak named
Corcovado. You can see an enormous statue that looks over the city. 4____________, Brazil has many
varieties of music because of many cultures and traditions. Finally, there is also a place for people who
enjoy tranquillity. The botanical gardens are filled with exotic varieties of plants and animals.
5
___________, Rio de Janeiro is a place with many different faces.

C. Read the paragraph again. Circle the correct alternative:

1) After because we use sentence / fragment.
2) After because of we use sentence / fragment.

22
PRACTICE: Read the following paragraph and complete the outline given. Work with your partner.
Self-driving Cars
In my opinion the number of self-driving cars should increase. The first reason is that they can reduce the
number of traffic accidents. Careless and sleepless human drivers cause accidents but self-driving cars have
cameras, sensors and AI systems to minimize accident rates. The second reason is; they are comfortable.
For example, you can relax or do other things on the way. You don’t have to watch the road all the time.
Lastly, self-driving cars help the traffic flow. They can communicate each other and this way they use the
roads more effectively than human drivers. To sum up, I believe that there must be more self-driving cars
for our safety, comfort and better traffic flow.
Topic Sentence:

1.Supporting Sentence ( Major)

1a. Supporting sentence: (Minor)

2.Supporting sentence: (Major)

2a.Supporting Sentence: (Minor)

3.Supporting Sentence: (Major)

3a.Supporting Sentence: (Minor)

Concluding Sentence:

KEEP PHYSICAL EDUCATION

I do not think that schools should reduce the time for physical education. The first reason is that; it is unfair
to make students sit in class all week. They need a chance to take a break and move around. The second
reason is that; exercise brings oxygen to our brains. This can help students focus better on their lessons and
learn more. The last reason is; physical education classes improve students’ communication and
cooperation skills. When they work out together in team they have more chance to interact with their peers

23
and share a team spirit in the school environment. In conclusion, I truly believe that reducing the time for
physical education in schools is not a good idea.

*Make your outline here:

Topic Sentence:

Supporting Sentence ( Major)

Supporting sentence: (Minor)

Supporting sentence: (Major)

Supporting Sentence: (Minor)

Supporting Sentence: (Major)

Supporting Sentence: (Minor)

Concluding Sentence:

HOMEWORK
To me, digital film platforms became very popular for some reasons. First of all, these platforms provide a
wide range of entertainment for people. You can find different and unique contents to watch film series,
movies, documentaries …etc. Secondly, digital platforms are easy to use. In other words, if you have a
membership to one of those, you will quickly reach its content. Lastly, when you watch a film via a digital
platform, you do not need to watch unnecessary adverts. Some ads can be so long that you can lose your
concentration on the film plot. In summary, if you want to find a variety of films easily and without watching
those ads you should have a membership to a digital film platform.
*Make your outline here:
Topic Sentence:

1.Supporting Sentence ( Major)

1a.Supporting sentence: (Minor)

24
2.Supporting sentence: (Major)

2a. Supporting Sentence: (Minor)

3.Supporting Sentence: (Major)

3a.Supporting Sentence: (Minor)

Concluding Sentence:

D. Write an opinion paragraph by following the steps in the hamburger image.

* Should public transport be free for people 65+?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

25
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

E. Write an opinion paragraph by following the steps in the hamburger image.

* Should students wear school uniform?

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

26
 ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

OPTIONAL CLASSWORK : Read the following paragraphs and find the mistakes. Then correct them by
using error codes from the chart below.

ERROR EXPLANATION:
CODES:
GR GRAMMAR

WW WRONG WORD

WWO WRONG WORD ORDER

SP SPELLING

S/PL SINGULAR/PLURAL

Ʌ MISSING WORD

X UNNECESSARY WORD

P Punctuation

TIK TOK
In my point of view Tik Tok have some negative effects on childrens. First, some videos on Tik Tok usually
shows bad behaviour or inappropriate content. moreover, this content might their psychology harm.
Second , spending too much time on Tik Tok can take away time from studying and doing homework. That
way, this will effect they school performance and they will get poor grades. Also, too much screen time can
harm their eyes and overall healt. Parents should very careful about that. Finally, children might feel under
pressure to get many likes and followers. It probably will affect their self esteem and make them feel

27
unhappy. In conclusion, it is very important for parents to monitor their children’s Tik Tok use and set limits
to protect their.

CHAT GPT
I truly believe that ChatGPT is an amazing learning tool for some reasons. to begin with, it provides people
quickly and true information. This can save time and effort. Next, ChatGPT can simply explain difficult topics
in a simple way, because it helps students to understanding them. That way, they will not get bored of
studying . Additionally it is available 24/7, So users can get help when they need. I think, it is unbiliavable to
reach information any time you need. Lastly. ChatGPT can also help students for language practice and they
improves their skills in many other languages. Overall, you should ChatGPT use to learn easily ang quickly
in a simple way.

ORGANIC FOOD
There are some reasons why people should consume organic food. Firstly, when they put many chemicals
into the foods produced in factories. Because, organic food is not like that; there are no pesticides or
chemicals in it. Another think is that organic farming is good for the enveronment. in other words, it can
protects the soil health, increase pollution and the water will be clear with organic farming. Finally organic
food contains more nutrients and anti-oxidants than non-organic alternatives. This means that, by choosing
organic, people will can eat safer things. To conclude, if you want take care of your health and support the
world, you must prefering eating organic food.

LEAVING YOUR COUNTRY

Leave your country can have both positive and negative affects. On the positive side, it offering new
opportunities? such as better job choices, education, and a change to experience different cultures. This can
help of the world personal growth and a better understanding. However, there are also challenges. Being
away from family and friends can make your feel lonely and homesick. Adapting to a new environment
might be funny, especially if there is a language barrier or different social customs. Overall, when somebody
wants to leave his/her country.he/she must think for the imotional and practical challenges careful.

CHOOSING AN IDEAL JOB

Choosing an ideal job needs careful your interests, skills, and values thinking about. First, consider what you
enjoy doing and what you are good at. For example, if you likes helping others, a job in healthcare or
educasion might be a good fit. Next, think about yours skills. If you are good at solve problems, a job in
engineering or technology could be ideal. Its also important to consider your values, such as work-life

28
balance or job stability. Research different carers to find out your interests, skills, and values. Finally, talk to
people in many fields and try internships or part-time jobs to get real experiense before making a decide.

29
 APPENDICES

PARAGRAPH CHECKLIST


My paragraph begins with a sentence that clearly states the topic.

My paragraph has one idea.

Every sentence in the body of the paragraph clearly supports the topic.

My closing sentence restates the topic sentence.

I have used linkers/ signals/ transitions.

My sentences are arranged in a logical order.

I have checked grammar.

30
 REFERENCES

1. Bayram, F., Bozkurt, N. & Okumuş, N., Yuca, E. K., et al. (2008) Milestones of Academic Writing.

2. Blass, L. & Gordon, D. ( ). Writers at work. Cambridge.

3. Cotton, D., Falvey, D., Kent, S. , Lebeau, I. & Rees, G. (2011). Language Leader

Coursebook, Pre-Intermediate. Pearson Longman.

4. Oruç, N. & Yürekli, A. (2007). Towards Essays. Çözüm Eğitim.

5. Oshima, A. & Hogue, A. (2007). Introduction to Academic Writing. Pearson Longman.

6. Rees, G. & Lebeau, I. (2011). Language Leader Coursebook, Elementary. Pearson Longman.

7. Savage, A. & Shafiei, M. (2007). Effective Academic Writing1: The paragraph. OUP.

8. Savage, A. & Mayer, P. (2005). Effective Academic Writing2: The short essay. OUP.

9. Velioğlu, A. & Kandiller, B. (1998). Writing Tasks 1. METU.

10. Zemach, E.D. & Stafford, L. (2008). Writers at Work. Cambridge UP.

11. Kocaeli University Writing Worksheets (2007-2008).

12. Yıldız Technical University Writing Pack (2011-2012).

13. www.writing.itü.edu.tr

14. https://www.dlsweb.rmit.edu.au/lsu/content/4_WritingSkills/writing_tuts/paragraphs_LL/
model.html

15. https://web2.uvcs.uvic.ca/courses/elc/writingi/unit1/u1_l3.htm

16. Great Writing (2021).National Geographic

31