DepED Cabadbaran

Learning Activity Sheets

for
Senior High School
Subject: Reading and Writing Skills

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 Quarter 3- MODULE 1
Reading & Thinking Strategies across Text Types

Most Essential Learning Competency:

Compare and contrast patterns of written texts across disciplines.

a) Paragraph Development - EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3
b) Narration - EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.1
c) Description - EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.2
d) Definition - EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.3
e) Classification - EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.4
f) Comparison & Contrast - EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.5
g) Cause & Effect - EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.6
h) Problem-Solution - EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.7
i) Persuasion - EN11/12RWS-IIIbf-3.8

Specific Objectives:

1. compare and contrast patterns of written texts across disciplines:

a) Narration
b) Description & Definition
c) Classification
d) Comparison & Contrast
e) Cause and Effect
f) Problem-Solution
g) Persuasion

ARMELA S, JAPOR
Writer/Developer
CCNHS-SHS

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Name: __________________________________ Grade & Section: ___________________
School: ___________________________________________________________________
Teacher: __________________________________________________________________

LESSON 1- Identifying Parts of a Paragraph

Effective Means for Writing a Paragraph

At the end of the lesson, the students are expected to:

1. Identify the parts of the paragraph.

2. Apply the correct usage of topic sentence in an activity.

3. Write a paragraph using the given topic sentence.

What I Need to Know

A strong paragraph contains three distinct components:

1. Topic sentence. The topic sentence is the main idea of the paragraph.
2. Body. The body is composed of the supporting sentences that develop
the main point.
3. Conclusion. The conclusion is the final sentence that summarizes the
main point.
An effective paragraph contains three main parts: a topic sentence, the
body, and the concluding sentence. A topic sentence is often the first
sentence of a paragraph.
The body of the paragraph usually follows, containing supporting
details. Supporting sentences help explain, prove, or enhance the topic
sentence. The concluding sentence is the last sentence in the paragraph. It
reminds the reader of the main point by restating it in different words.
Read the following paragraph. 
After reading the new TV guide this week I had just one thought—why are
we still being bombarded with reality shows? This season, the plague of

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reality television continues to darken our airwaves. Along with the return of
viewer favorites, we are to be cursed with yet another mindless
creation. Prisoner follows the daily lives of eight suburban housewives who
have chosen to be put in jail for the purposes of this fake psychological
experiment. A preview for the first episode shows the usual tears and
tantrums associated with reality television. I dread to think what producers
will come up with next season, but if any of them are reading this blog—stop
it! We’ve had enough reality television to last us a lifetime!
The first sentence of this paragraph is the topic sentence. It tells the reader
that the paragraph will be about reality television shows, and it expresses
the writer’s distaste for these shows through the use of the
word bombarded.
Each of the following sentences in the paragraph supports the topic
sentence by providing further information about a specific reality television
show. The final sentence is the concluding sentence. It reiterates the main
point that viewers are bored with reality television shows by using different
words from the topic sentence.
Paragraphs that begin with the topic sentence move from the general to the
specific. They open with a general statement about a subject (reality shows)
and then discuss specific examples (the reality show Prisoner). Most
academic essays contain the topic sentence at the beginning of the first
paragraph.
Now take a look at the following paragraph.
Last year, a cat traveled 130 miles to reach its family, who had moved to
another state and had left their pet behind. Even though it had never been
to their new home, the cat was able to track down its former owners. A dog
in my neighborhood can predict when its master is about to have a seizure.
It makes sure that he does not hurt himself during an epileptic
fit. Compared to many animals, our own senses are almost dull.
The last sentence of this paragraph is the topic sentence. It draws on
specific examples (a cat that tracked down its owners and a dog that can
predict seizures) and then makes a general statement that draws a
conclusion from these examples (animals’ senses are better than humans’).
In this case, the supporting sentences are placed before the topic sentence
and the concluding sentence is the same as the topic sentence.
This technique is frequently used in persuasive writing. The writer produces
detailed examples as evidence to back up his or her point, preparing the
reader to accept the concluding topic sentence as the truth.
Sometimes, the topic sentence appears in the middle of a paragraph. Read
the following example. 

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For many years, I suffered from severe anxiety every time I took an exam.
Hours before the exam, my heart would begin pounding, my legs would
shake, and sometimes I would become physically unable to move. Last year,
I was referred to a specialist and finally found a way to control my anxiety—
breathing exercises. It seems so simple, but by doing just a few breathing
exercises a couple of hours before an exam, I gradually got my anxiety under
control. The exercises help slow my heart rate and make me feel less
anxious. Better yet, they require no pills, no equipment, and very little time.
It’s amazing how just breathing correctly has helped me learn to manage my
anxiety symptoms.
In this paragraph, the underlined sentence is the topic sentence. It
expresses the main idea—that breathing exercises can help control anxiety.
The preceding sentences enable the writer to build up to his main point
(breathing exercises can help control anxiety) by using a personal anecdote
(how he used to suffer from anxiety). The supporting sentences then expand
on how breathing exercises help the writer by providing additional
information. The last sentence is the concluding sentence and restates how
breathing can help manage anxiety.
Placing a topic sentence in the middle of a paragraph is often used in
creative writing. If you notice that you have used a topic sentence in the
middle of a paragraph in an academic essay, read through the paragraph
carefully to make sure that it contains only one major topic. 
Implied Topic Sentences
Some well-organized paragraphs do not contain a topic sentence at all.
Instead of being directly stated, the main idea is implied in the content of
the paragraph. Read the following example:
Heaving herself up the stairs, Luella had to pause for breath several times.
She let out a wheeze as she sat down heavily in the wooden rocking chair.
Tao approached her cautiously, as if she might crumble at the slightest
touch. He studied her face, like parchment; stretched across the bones so
finely he could almost see right through the skin to the decaying muscle
underneath. Luella smiled a toothless grin.
Tip
Avoid using implied topic sentences in an informational document. Readers
often lose patience if they are unable to quickly grasp what the writer is
trying to say. The clearest and most efficient way to communicate in an
informational document is to position the topic sentence at the beginning of
the paragraph.
Supporting Sentences

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If you think of a paragraph as a hamburger, the supporting sentences are
the meat inside the bun. They make up the body of the paragraph by
explaining, proving, or enhancing the controlling idea in the topic sentence.
Most paragraphs contain three to six supporting sentences depending on
the audience and purpose for writing. A supporting sentence usually offers
one of the following:
 Reason
Sentence: The refusal of the baby boom generation to retire is contributing
to the current lack of available jobs.
 Fact
Sentence: Many families now rely on older relatives to support them
financially.
 Statistic
Sentence: Nearly 10 percent of adults are currently unemployed in the
United States.
 Quotation
Sentence: “We will not allow this situation to continue,” stated Senator
Johns.
 Example
Sentence: Last year, Bill was asked to retire at the age of fifty-five.
The type of supporting sentence you choose will depend on what you are
writing and why you are writing. For example, if you are attempting to
persuade your audience to take a particular position you should rely on
facts, statistics, and concrete examples, rather than personal opinions. Read
the following example:
There are numerous advantages to owning a hybrid car. (Topic sentence)
First, they get 20 percent to 35 percent more miles to the gallon than a fuel-
efficient gas-powered vehicle. (Supporting sentence 1: statistic)
Second, they produce very few emissions during low speed city
driving. (Supporting sentence 2: fact)
Because they do not require gas, hybrid cars reduce dependency on fossil
fuels, which helps lower prices at the pump. (Supporting sentence 3:
reason)
Alex bought a hybrid car two years ago and has been extremely impressed
with its performance. (Supporting sentence 4: example)

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“It’s the cheapest car I’ve ever had,” she said. “The running costs are far
lower than previous gas powered vehicles I’ve owned.” (Supporting
sentence 5: quotation)
Given the low running costs and environmental benefits of owning a hybrid
car, it is likely that many more people will follow Alex’s example in the near
future. (Concluding sentence)
To find information for your supporting sentences, you might consider using
one of the following sources:
 Reference book
 Encyclopedia
 Website
 Biography/autobiography
 Map
 Dictionary
 Newspaper/magazine
 Interview
 Previous experience
 Personal research
Tip
When searching for information on the Internet, remember that some
websites are more reliable than others. websites ending in .gov or .edu are
generally more reliable than websites ending in .com or .org. Wikis and blogs
are not reliable sources of information because they are subject to
inaccuracies.
Concluding Sentences
An effective concluding sentence draws together all the ideas you have
raised in your paragraph. It reminds readers of the main point—the topic
sentence—without restating it in exactly the same words. Using the
hamburger example, the top bun (the topic sentence) and the bottom bun
(the concluding sentence) are very similar. They frame the “meat” or body of
the paragraph. Compare the topic sentence and concluding sentence from
the previous example:
Topic sentence: There are numerous advantages to owning a hybrid car.

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Concluding sentence: Given the low running costs and environmental
benefits of owning a hybrid car, it is likely that many more people will follow
Alex’s example in the near future.
Notice the use of the synonyms advantages and benefits. The concluding
sentence reiterates the idea that owning a hybrid is advantageous without
using the exact same words. It also summarizes two examples of the
advantages covered in the supporting sentences: low running costs and
environmental benefits.
You should avoid introducing any new ideas into your concluding sentence.
A conclusion is intended to provide the reader with a sense of completion.
Introducing a subject that is not covered in the paragraph will confuse the
reader and weaken your writing.
A concluding sentence may do any of the following:
 Restate the main idea.
Example: Childhood obesity is a growing problem in the United States.
 Summarize the key points in the paragraph.
Example: A lack of healthy choices, poor parenting, and an addiction to
video games are among the many factors contributing to childhood obesity.
 Draw a conclusion based on the information in the paragraph.
Example: These statistics indicate that unless we take action, childhood
obesity rates will continue to rise.
 Make a prediction, suggestion, or recommendation about the
information in the paragraph.
Example: Based on this research, more than 60 percent of children in the
United States will be morbidly obese by the year 2030 unless we take
evasive action.
 Offer an additional observation about the controlling idea.
Example: Childhood obesity is an entirely preventable tragedy.

Learning Activities

Activity 1 “Look for TSC”

Direction: Identify the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and

concluding sentence in the following paragraph. Write your answer in the
piece of paper.

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The desert provides a harsh environment in which few mammals are able to
adapt. Of these hardy creatures, the kangaroo rat is possibly the most
fascinating. Able to live in some of the most arid parts of the southwest, the
kangaroo rat neither sweats nor pants to keep cool. Its specialized kidneys
enable it to survive on a miniscule amount of water. Unlike other desert
creatures, the kangaroo rat does not store water in its body but instead is
able to convert the dry seeds it eats into moisture. Its ability to adapt to
such a hostile environment makes the kangaroo rat a truly amazing
creature.

Activity 2: Matching Supporting and Topic Sentences

Directions: Read the two topic sentences below. Then read the list of
supporting sentences. Match each supporting sentence with the
corresponding topic sentence by writing the correct topic sentence number
on the line beside the supporting sentences. Notice that each sentence is
labeled in parentheses with the kind of supporting sentence that it is. a and
b is done for you.

Topic sentences
TS 1: Low-fat diets are an excellent way to stay healthy and trim.
TS 2: High-protein diets are favored by athletes and competitors.

Supporting sentences
a. 2 ___These foods help build muscles and increase energy. (fact)
b. 1___They are preferred by the general public because they help with
weight reduction. (reason)
c. ______ Low-fat diets are recommended by most physicians. (fact).
d. ______ Many athletes eat high-protein foods, such as meat, beans, and
nuts. (example)
e. ______ Low-fat foods include fruits, vegetables, and pasta. (example)
f. ______ Because they are easy to find in stores, low-fat foods are
convenient. (reason)
g. _____ Athletes generally eat high-protein diets to give them more energy.
(reason)

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h. _____ Crispy steamed vegetables and grilled fish and chicken are all tasty
parts of a low-fat, heart-friendly diet. (description)

Activity 3: Analyzing Paragraphs

Directions: Read and analyze the paragraph and:

1. Underline the topic sentence and write TS above it.

2. Circle any sentence that is not a good supporting sentence based on
the controlling idea in the topic sentence.
3. Write a concluding sentence on the lines provided.

The Grand Palace in Bangkok

The Grand Palace is one of the most popular tourist destinations in
Thailand. The construction of the palace began in 1782, and the royal family
lived there until 1925. The palace area consists of over two million square
feet, and the wall that surrounds the Grand Palace is more than 6,000 feet
long. This huge area includes countless buildings, gardens, and special
rooms. The public cannot visit all of these areas, however, because some
areas are still used for official events. The palace includes some examples of
European influence on the design, such as the Greek columns and the
French windows. It is certainly easy to understand why so many tourists
visit the Grand Palace each year.

Assessment

Directions:
Direction: Read the statements below and choose the letter with the correct
answer.

1. Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.

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Topic Sentence: My dog is afraid of everything.
a. She hides under blankets when you turn the microwave on.
b. She sleeps all day long.
c. She runs away when you vacuum. 
d. She jumps every time the doorbell rings.
2. Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.

Topic Sentence: Candy is not a healthy treat.

a. It tastes delicious.
b. Candy contains high amounts of sugar.
c. You can find many artificial additives in candy.
d. Eating too much candy can give you cavities. 
3. Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.

Topic Sentence: There are many reasons people find clowns scary.
a. Their face paint hides their true identity.
b. People often think of the creepy clowns they've seen in movies.
c. There have been some bad clowns in the news lately.
d. They make fun balloon animals.
4. Select the supporting detail that doesn't fit.

Topic Sentence: Mrs. Hart drinks coffee for a number of reasons.

a. She likes the taste of it.
b. Coffee isn't as good as tea.
c. It helps her stay awake.
d. When she doesn't drink it she gets really crabby.

5. Select the best topic sentence for the paragraph.

Johnny has to spend twice as long on his math homework. Sometime he
gets the numbers mixed up, and he can't remember the formulas. He has
to study and practice a lot to get good grades in math.
a. Johnny has a difficult time in school.
b. Math is Johnny's most difficult class.
c. Reading is Johnny's favorite subject.
d. Math is the worst subject ever.

Enrichment
Activity 4   Identifying Supporting Sentences

A. Directions: Read and analyze paragraph below and:

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 1. For each of the underlined, numbered sentences, write good
supporting sentence or unrelated sentence on the corresponding lines
below the paragraph. (One sentence in each paragraph is unrelated to
the topic.)
2. Write a reason for each choice.
Remember: All the supporting sentences must be related to the topic
sentence. The first paragraph has been done for you.

Paragraph 1

Strict Parents
Fortunately, my parents were very strict with me when I was a child. I think
that they were protective because I was an only child. However, at that time,
it felt like I was in prison. I had to come straight home after school and
immediately do my homework. 1 After I finished my homework, I was
allowed to watch only one hour of television. While my friends were playing
video games or watching cartoons, I was usually doing chores around the
house to help my mother. 2 This included doing some of the laundry and
ironing, mowing the lawn, and helping to prepare dinner. 3 My father was
an architect, and my mother was a housewife. Looking back, I am not sorry
that my parents were strict with me because I think it was the best way to
bring up a child.

1. Good supporting sentence

It is an example of why the writer felt he or she was in prison.
2. Good supporting sentence
It is a list of the chores the writer had to do around the house.
3. unrelated sentence
The writer’s parents’ occupations are not related to how the writer was
treated. There is no relationship between being an architect and being a
strict parent.

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Paragraph 2
Underwater Adventure Snorkeling can be one of the most amazing
adventures you can ever take part in. 1 Floating on the water and watching
the fish swim below you is a unique experience. It is normal to be nervous in
the beginning, but once you are in the water, the anxiety goes away as you
slowly notice the new world around you. Coral reefs are the best places to
snorkel because hundreds, sometimes thousands, of fish and other sea
creatures live among the coral. 2 Depending on where you snorkel, you can
see tiny squids, turtles, sea cucumbers, lobsters, and many other animals. 3
I saw a shark the last time I was snorkeling, and it really scared me. It is
truly a beautiful sight, one that you can hardly believe is happening. When
you are underwater, the world you know is blocked out, and the silence
makes the overall experience more magical. If you want to have one of the
most beautiful experiences that anyone can ever have, you should try
snorkeling for a day.

1. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Paragraph 3
Sweet Dreams

When people have a hard time falling asleep at night, there are three things
that they can do to relax before going to sleep. 1 One of the most pleasant
ways to relax is to imagine a beautiful and peaceful place. This requires a
creative mind, but it is very effective. Another common method is to practice
deep-breathing exercises. These rhythmic exercises are good for getting rid
of the tension that causes people to stay awake. 2 A third method is to listen
to relaxing music, especially soft music. 3 Soft music is also popular
because it helps students study well. Some people have developed unique

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ways to help them fall asleep, but these three methods are extremely
effective for the majority of people with sleep problems.

1. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Answers Key

Activity 1, 2, 3: Answers may vary

Assessment:
1. B
2. A
3. D
4. B
5. B

Enrichment: Answers may vary

References

https://www.proprofs.com/quiz-school/story.php?title=njq2ndg5gff2
https://open.lib.umn.edu/writingforsuccess/chapter/6-2-effective-means-
for-writing-a-paragraph/
http://slsuwritersblock.blogspot.com/2010/10/method-of-paragraph-
development-by.html

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