Writing Paragraphs

Kinds of Sentences
Have you ever wondered why some students can't seem to
concentrate in class? Students require more recreational time
in order to better focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies
have shown that students who enjoy a recess of more than
45 minutes consistently score better on tests immediately
following the recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests
that physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on
academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly
required to allow students the best possible chances of
success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just one
of the necessary ingredients for improving student scores on
standardized tests.
Hook and Topic Sentence

Have you ever wondered why some students can’t

seem to concentrate in class?
Catches the reader’s attention to introduce topic

Students require more recreational time in

order to better focus on lessons in class.
Presents a clear position on the topic

Uses strong verbs

Supporting Sentences

In fact, studies have shown that students who enjoy a recess

of more than 45 minutes consistently score better on tests
immediately following the recess period. Clinical analysis
further suggests that physical exercise greatly improves the
ability to focus on academic materials.

Provides support and more details for the topic sentence.

Concluding Sentence

Longer periods of recess are clearly required to allow

students the best possible chances of success in their
studies.

Repeat the main idea of the paragraph, and either leave a

concluding thought or help transition to the next
paragraph.

Clearly, physical exercise is just one of the necessary

ingredients for improving student scores on standardized
tests.
Walking down the street, I noticed a new bookstore had
opened in my neighborhood. The front of the store looks
like an old English book shop with a large wooden door
that is surprisingly heavy. Just inside the main door,
there is a small box with used books. Oddly, these books
are on sale for $1/pound. Near the back there is a tall
bookshelf with great classics like Shakespeare’s Romeo
and Juliet. Near the cash machine, there is a rack with a
good supply of magazines like The Economist, Time and
Asia Weekly. I’ll be spending a lot of time in this book
shop, which is right around the corner from my house.
Credit card companies love to extend credit to college
students, especially those just out of high school. Ads for
credit cards line campus bulletin boards, flash across
commercial websites for students, and get stuffed into
shopping bags at college bookstores. Why do the
companies market their product so vigorously to a
population that lacks a substantial credit history and
often has no steady income? The answer is that
significant profits can be earned through high interest
rates and assorted penalties and fees. By granting
college students liberal lending arrangements, credit
card companies often hook them on a cycle of spending
that can ultimately lead to financial ruin.
Order the Sentences
Have you ever done well on a multiple choice quiz, only to realize you don’t really
understand the topic? Nowadays, teachers realize that students need to actively
practice their writing skills, though review of basic concepts is also required.
However, due to the pressure of large classrooms, many teachers try to cut
corners by giving multiple choice quizzes. Real learning requires practice, not
just style exercises that focus on checking their understanding. To sum up,
educators must try to ensure that students practice writing rather than just
taking multiple choice tests.
If you drive on any highway in the United States, you’ll find fast-food restaurants
at every exit and service area. If you walk through any supermarket, you’ll see
prepared foods that say “make it in minutes” and “ready to serve.” According to
an article by James Bone on the TimesOnline Web site, only one-third of
Americans cook meals from scratch, meaning with fresh ingredients. Bone also
writes that Americans spend only thirty minutes cooking dinner, compared with
2.5 hours in the 1960s. And in his book Fast Food Nation, Eric Schlosser claims
that one-quarter of Americans eat in a fast-food restaurant each day. Why are
Americans eating so much fast food? The answer is simple: speed is more
important than quality. While Americans May be attracted to food that is fast and
easy, they are missing the benefits of slowing down. In fact, Americans’ obsession
with fast food is hurting not only their health but also the quality of their lives.
For a decade the National Park Service has debated whether
to ban snowmobiles from Yellowstone National Park. In
2000, the Clinton administration decided to phase out all
recreational snowmobiles in the park, a decision that
angered snowmobilers and threatened the winter livelihood
of many citizens living in the Yellowstone area. In 2002, the
Bush administration overruled the Clinton decision, thereby
angering environmentalists, who claim that the snowmobiles
cause severe air and noise pollution and endanger
Yellowstone’s wildlife.
ESSAY PROMPT: In some countries, an increasing number of people are suffering from health problems as a result of eating too
much fast food. It therefore necessary for governments to impose a higher tax on this kind of food. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with this opinion?

_______________________________________. Some people believe the only

solution is to make fast food less affordable by taxing it highly. Despite the severity
of the problem, I think this is quite wrong. Increasing the tax on fast food would
unfairly penalize people and may not necessarily bring about the desired health
benefits.

Write your own topic sentence/hook...

ESSAY PROMPT: In some countries, an increasing number of people are suffering from health problems as a result of eating too
much fast food. It therefore necessary for governments to impose a higher tax on this kind of food. To what extent do you agree or
disagree with this opinion?

Nowadays, more and more people are affected by health issues such as diabetes
and heart disease which are linked to overconsumption of cheap, mass-produced
food. Some people believe the only solution is to make fast food less affordable by
taxing it highly. Despite the severity of the problem, I think this is quite wrong.
Increasing the tax on fast food would unfairly penalize people and may not
necessarily bring about the desired health benefits.

Write your own topic sentence/hook...

Are People Too Dependent on Mobile Phones?
Mobile phones have become a must have in our modern society. They have
become a central application to a variety of aspects and not just regular
conversations. After having been invented as a device that would connect people
while on the move, mobile phones have become much more in the last decade. It is
not possible to watch videos, listen to music, and much more. However,
____________________________________________________.

Write your own concluding sentence...

Are People Too Dependent on Mobile Phones?
Mobile phones have become a must have in our modern society. They have
become a central application to a variety of aspects and not just regular
conversations. After having been invented as a device that would connect people
while on the move, mobile phones have become much more in the last decade. It is
not possible to watch videos, listen to music, and much more. However, there is a
hint that these devices are starting to occupy much bigger roles in our life so much
to the point that mobile phone addiction has become a new section in our dictionary.

Write your own concluding sentence...