1.Paragraph Writing(i)Developing Topic SentencesTopic sentences introduce paragraphs; they inform readers about what the paragraphs would be about. They are normally found at the beginning of a paragraph, and are often the first sentence. However, they ca

1. Paragraph Writing


(i) Developing Topic Sentences

Topic sentences introduce paragraphs; they inform readers about what the paragraphs would be about. They are normally found at the beginning of a paragraph, and are often the first sentence. However, they can also be found in the middle of a paragraph, in the last sentence of a paragraph, or may not be stated at all (i.e. implied).


A topic sentence always contains the topic discussed by a particular paragraph, as well as the controlling idea (or main idea). A controlling idea states the writer's opinion or stance towards the topic.

Example:

topic controlling idea


Firstly, examinations are stressful.


In this example, the topic of the paragraph is examinations. The writer's opinion about examinations is that they are stressful. This is the controlling idea or main idea.


(ii) Developing Supporting Details

Supporting details provide information t...