1Paragraph Development

A paragraph usually states one main idea. The sentence that contains the main idea is
called the topic sentence. The topic sentence could be found at the first sentence of the
paragraph. It is then followed by examples and details that add information and support the main
idea of the paragraph. Last of all the paragraph ends with a concluding sentence that highlights
the most important details presented in the paragraph

Topic sentence: Nuclear Power is not safe

Example 1: Radioactive substances released can be hazardous to health

Example2: Nuclear Power plants are not prepared for natural disaster

Concluding sentence: Nuclear power should be reevaluated considering the dangers it

could cause.

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Now that you have an idea about the parts of the paragraph let’s have some practice.

Find Parts of a Paragraph

1) There are many reasons why people move. Some people move because of a new job.
Others move because they want to live in a city with better weather. Still others move because
they want to live somewhere cheaper. These are some reasons why people move to new cities.

Questions:
a. What is the topic sentence?______________________
b. How many supporting sentences are there? _______
c. What is the concluding sentence? ________________

2) Cats are great pets. They are very friendly. They are also very clean. Cats do not eat
much, so they are not expensive. Cats are good animals to have in your home.
Questions:
a. What is the topic sentence?____________________
b. How many supporting sentences are there?______
c. What is the concluding sentence? ________________

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Northstar:Reading and Writing Intermediate p.14
Choose the best topic sentence for this paragraph.

________________________________. People in America send cards for many holidays.

They send cards on birthdays. They also send thank-you cards; get well cards, and graduation
cards. It is very easy to buy cards at any store but sending cards over the internet is also popular.

a. Sending cards is very popular in America.

b. Birthday cards are the most popular kind of card.
c. It is important to send thank-you cards.

What was your score? If you got more than 5 you can continue with the lesson otherwise
read the topic again or ask questions to your teacher about the lesson.

Grammar Focus
Simple Present vs. Present Continuous

I eat vegetables everyday. I am eating vegetables. What are the differences between
those two sentences? The first one was in a tense called simple present and the latter is in a
present continuous form. These two tenses are used differently from each other. In this part of
the module you will be dealing with the uses of those tenses.

Present Simple
The sun is hot, my name is Albert, I study hard; these sentences are in the simple present
form. How do we use it and when do we use this tense?

Below is the grammatical rule in using the present tense.

Subject+ auxiliary verb + main verb (base form)

Heads up

There are three important exceptions:

1. For positive sentences, we do not normally use the auxiliary.

2. For the 3rd person singular (he, she, it), we add s to the main verb or es to the auxiliary.
3. For the verb to be, we do not use an auxiliary, even for questions and negatives.
Look at these examples with the main verb like:

subject auxiliary verb main verb

+ I, you, we, they like mangoes.

He, she, it likes mangoes.

- I, you, we, they do not like mangoes.

He, she, it does not like mangoes.

? Do I, you, we, they like mangoes?

Does he, she, it like mangoes?

Look at these examples with the main verb be. Note that there is no auxiliary:

subject main verb

+ I am Korean.

You, we, they are Korean.

He, she, it is Korean.

- I am not Korean.

You, we, they are not Korean.

He, she, it is not Korean.

? Am I Korean?

Are you, we, they Korean?

Is he, she, it Korean?

2How do we use the Simple Present Tense?

We use the simple present tense when:

 the action is general

 the action happens all the time, or regularly, in the past, present and future
 the action is not only happening now but also in other times
 the statement is always true or a fact

Albert cooks in a restaurant.

past present future

It is Albert’s job to cook in a restaurant. He does it every day. Past, present and future.

Look at these examples:

- I am a Korean.
- The sun is hot.
- I study English.
- He doesn’t speak Spanish.
- We play table tennis every Saturday.
- We don’t get things from other people.
- Do you like painting?

Note that with the verb to be, we can also use the simple present tense for situations that
are not general. We can use the simple present tense to talk about now. Look at these
examples of the verb "to be" in the simple present tense - some of them are general, some of
them are now:
I am not fat.
Am I correct? Why are you so handsome?
Jake is not home. Lara is tall.
You are happy.
past present future
past present future

The situation is general. Past, present and future.

The situation is now.

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http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verb-tenses_present.htm
Check up

Put the correct verb tense in the blanks

1. I (be) __________ a student.

2. She usually (play) __________ badminton.
3. Anthony (not) (be) __________ late.
4. They (go) __________ to church every Sunday.
5. My friend and I (walk) __________ after school.

What is your score? If you got 3 or more, you could move to the next lesson otherwise read
the topic again or ask questions to your teacher about the lesson.

Present Continuous

The previous topic is about the present simple. Now, we will discuss the next
tense called, present continuous. How do we use this? When do we use this? These are
the questions that will be answered in this part of the module.

Below is the grammatical rule in using the present continuous.

Subject+ be + main verb+ ing

Heads up
We could this form not only in the present continuous but also to express the
future tense.

I am studying in the school right now.

I am studying in the school tomorrow. (Future)

We use this form to express future actions that are sure or have already been
arranged but always make sure that the future time is included so as not to confuse others.

I am eating in a restaurant.

I am eating in a restaurant tonight. (Future)

 subject Be verb main verb+ ing

+ (I), you, we, they (am) are study = studying English.

He, she, it is study = studying English.

- (I), you, we, they (am) are not study = studying Spanish.

He, she, it is not study = studying Spanish.

? (am) are (I), you, we, they study = studying English?

Is he, she, it study = studying English?

a) For action happening exactly now

I am eating my lunch.

past present future

The action is happening now.

b) Present continuous tense for the future

I am going to Korea next year.

past present future

!!!

A sure plan or schedule exists The action is in the future.

now.
Check up

Put the correct verb tenses in the blanks

1. Please be quiet. I (study) ___________ for my test.

2. Can you call back later? Jack (eat) ___________ dinner.
3. Albert (watch)___________ movie now.
4. The students in the classroom (answer)___________ a test.
5. We (ride)___________ the train as of the moment.

What is your score? If you got 3 or more, you could move to the next lesson otherwise read
the topic again or ask questions to your teacher about the lesson.

Let’s Write

In this module you have learned how to start developing your paragraph. Then it is time
to put it into practice. Using all the things that you learned in this module write a paragraph about
the following topics:

Introduction about yourself

A famous character
Your favorite movie actor
Your own___________________(ask the teacher about this first)

Make sure that you that your paragraph contains a topic sentence, supporting details,
and a conclusion. You also need to use the present simple and continuous tense to complete the
paragraph.