The document discusses the first two steps in writing a paragraph: 1) beginning with a topic sentence that states the main point or idea to be discussed, and 2) supporting the topic sentence with specific examples, details, reasons, and evidence so the reader understands the point. It also covers common errors in writing topic sentences such as announcements that don't express an opinion, statements that are too broad or narrow in scope, and the components of an effective topic sentence, which includes a limited topic and the writer's attitude toward that topic.

1. © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
English Skills, 11e
English Skills with Readings, 9e
Chapter Three
The First and Second Steps in Writing

2. English Skills, 11e
English Skills with Readings, 9e
© 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
Step One
Begin with a point
•The first sentence of your paragraph is your
topic sentence.
•The topic sentence informs the reader of the
point you want to make.

3. English Skills, 11e
English Skills with Readings, 9e
© 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
Step Two
Support the point with specific evidence
•Reasons followed by examples and details
•The reader should be able to see and
understand the point for his or her self.

4. English Skills, 11e
English Skills with Readings, 9e
© 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
Importance of Specific Details
• Details excite the reader’s interest.
• Details support and explain a writer’s point.

5. English Skills, 11e
English Skills with Readings, 9e
© 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
Important of Adequate Details
• Provide enough specific details to fully
support the point of a paragraph
• An underdeveloped paragraph is a paragraph
that does not have enough specific details or
examples.

6. English Skills, 11e
English Skills with Readings, 9e
© 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
Common Errors in Topic Sentences
• Announcements rather than statements
– Announcements are statements that give a
subject, but do not express a point, idea, or
opinion about the subject.
I want to talk about the crime wave in our country.

7. English Skills, 11e
English Skills with Readings, 9e
© 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
Common Errors in Topic Sentences (cont.)
• Statements that are too broad
• Statements that are too narrow
Crime is a major concern of everyone in our country.
My parents had only one child.

8. English Skills, 11e
English Skills with Readings, 9e
© 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved.
Two Parts of a Topic Sentence
A topic sentence includes:
•a limited topic
•an attitude toward the limited topic
A honeymoon is perhaps the worst way to begin a
marriage.