1、Grammar and usage,The elements of a paragraph,How to write a paragraph? Eg. Write a short paragraph to introduce your hometown (Changsha City for example) from the aspect of natural features.,Lets read a paragraph. My hometown is famous for several amazing natural features. First, it is noted for th

2、e Xiang River, which is wide, smooth and has a beautiful long island. Also, on the other side of the town is the Yuelu Mountain, which is a very popular nature park . The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree in the north of the city. This tree, standing about two hundred feet tall, dates back t

3、o the Ming Period. These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my hometown a famous place. Do you know the structure of the paragraph?,My hometown is famous for several amazing natural features. First, it is noted for the Xiang River, which is wide, smooth and has a beautiful long island. Also,

4、 on the other side of the town is the Yuelu Mountain, which is a very popular nature park . The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree in the north of the city. This tree, standing about two hundred feet tall, dates back to the Ming Period. These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my home

5、town a famous place.,Topic sentence,Concluding sentence,Supporting sentences,the elements of a paragraph Topic sentence Supporting sentences Concluding sentence,1.Topic sentence What is a topic sentence? Each paragraph should have a point. ,this is usually expressed in a topic sentence , which clear

6、ly states what information the paragraph will give. e.g. Young adults give many different reasons for moving to cities,The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of a paragraph . However, in the first paragraph of an essay, a story or an article , the topic sentence may follow a hook. To catch

7、 the attention of readers, we can use a hook, which is often an interesting fact, a question or a quotation.,Eg: The creatures came again last night. - Seven Views of Olduvai Gorge This creates a whole new list of questions. 1)Who or what are these creatures? 2)Why did they come? 3)What happened whe

8、n they came? 4)If they came again, what happened the first time they came?,A,_ At first, leaves on the trees turn yellow and red. One day, they have turned brown and fallen to the ground. Night falls a bit earlier each day. Then, one morning, everything is covered by a soft blanket of snow. When peo

9、ple go outside, their hands feel cold and numb. Winter has come!,Autumn passes too quickly. Autumn leaves are beautiful.,a,Page 25,_ If one wishes to become a scientist, such as a physicist, biologist or chemical engineer, he or she may study physics, botany, biochemistry and mathematics. However, i

10、f a student only pays attention to these subjects, he or she will develop analytical skills but not creative skills. Many jobs require creative skills, and arts students have more creative skills than those who focus on science. To me, this is evidence of the importance of teaching the arts in our s

11、chools.,Schools should teach maths and science. Arts education is a necessary part of school.,b,Can the following sentences be used as topic sentences? Why? 1.My hometown is famous because it is located on the Xiang River, which is very wide, and because it is at the foot of the Yuelu Mountain. 2.Th

12、ere are two reasons why some people like to buy cars with automatic transmission(自動駕駛)and two reasons why others like cars with manual transmission(手動駕駛). 3.Clouds are white.,1.My hometown is famous because it is located on the Xiang River, which is very wide, and because it is at the foot of the Yu

13、elu Mountain. The problem is that it contains too many details. Topic sentences are general, and details should appear later in the paragraph. Suggested topic sentence: My hometown is famous for several amazing natural features.,2.There are two reasons why some people like to buy cars with automatic

14、 transmission(自動駕駛)and two reasons why others like cars with manual transmission(手動駕駛). It is not appropriate as a topic sentence because it mentions two topics, not just one.( Paragraphs are usually about one main thing and so their topic sentences should also be about only one main thing.) Suggest

15、ed topic sentence: There are two reasons why some people like cars with manual transmission (automatic transmission).,3.Clouds are white. The problem is that it is too general. It is also very boring! Suggested topic sentence: The shapes of clouds are determined by various factors.,2.Supporting sent

16、ences The topic sentence should be followed by sentences which help explain or prove it. The supporting sentences should be listed in an order that makes sense. We can use transitions to link each sentences to the previous or following ones. Transitional words: 1)for example, for instance 2)besides,

17、 in addition, whats more, furthermore, moreover 3)first, second, finally, also 4)on the other hand, however, nevertheless, instead.,For decades, Florida has been attracting older people. In fact, according to the national population survey conducted recently, Florida is home to the largest populatio

18、n of people aged 65 and older. This group makes up 17 percent of the states population. The national average is only about 12.7 percent. So it is not surprising that Florida is known as the oldest place in the USA.,Lets read the following paragraph:,For decades, Florida has been attracting older peo

19、ple. In fact, according to the national population survey conducted recently, Florida is home to the largest population of people aged 65 and older. This group makes up 17 percent of the states population. The national average is only about 12.7 percent, so it is not surprising that Florida is known

20、 as the oldest place in the USA.,Supporting sentences,My hometown is famous for several amazing natural features. First, it is noted for the Xiang River, which is wide, smooth and has a beautiful long island. Also, on the other side of the town is the Yuelu Mountain, which is a very popular nature p

21、ark . The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree in the north of the city. This tree, standing about two hundred feet tall, dates back to the Ming Period. These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my hometown a famous place.,Supporting sentences,3.Concluding sentence What is concluding sen

22、tence? A concluding sentence is a sentence that 1)repeats the topic in a new way. 2) or expresses a final idea about the topic. 3) or helps introduce the topic of the next paragraph.,For decades, Florida has been attracting older people. In fact, according to the national population survey conducted recently,