2

CONNECTING TO THE THEME

The Paragraph

The Internet is the most important tool in global marketing today.

Which of these are reasons why? C
ONNECTING TO THE THEME
1 Word-of-mouth advertising, or hearing about products from
What
people you know, does not impact ascan youpeople
many do to make a good first impression? Which of the tips
as the
Internet does. below do you think may help?
1 You should be neat and well-dressed.
2 Social networking sites are popular.
2 You users
3 More than 75 percent of social media shouldhave
make eye contact with the other person.
bought
3 You should
something because of an ad or comment theytalk
sawa online.
lot about yourself.
4 Internet
4 Some businesses do not have an You should be comfortable, but you shouldn’t look too casual.
presence.
5 You should ask about the other person when the time is right.
1 and 3 are two reasons why the Internet plays an important role in global marketing.
1, 2, 4, and, 5 will help you make a good first impression.

A. Skill Presentation
A paragraph usually starts with a topic sentence. The topic sentence states the main idea of the
paragraph. There are also supporting sentences. They give more information, such as details,
examples, or facts, to support the main idea. A paragraph also has a concluding sentence. This can
summarize the ideas in the paragraph or restate the main idea.
A good paragraph has ideas that relate to each other. All sentences should relate to the main idea in
the topic sentence. Supporting sentences that relate to the main idea are relevant. If a sentence is not
related, it is irrelevant. Avoid irrelevant sentences when you write.
Read the beginning of this paragraph. Think about the features of a good paragraph as you read.
TSPeople use a variety of interactive websites. SSFor example, people use social networking

sites to share information. SSPeople also use them to keep in touch with friends. SSMost
people who work for social networking sites enjoy their jobs. SSIn addition, Internet phone
and messaging services are also popular. CSThere are many kinds of interactive websites in
use today, for many different reasons.
The third supporting sentence is not related to the main idea. It is irrelevant, and it should not be
included in this paragraph.
Supporting sentences should also be organized logically and should be connected. Use transition
words and phrases to do this. Transition words such as first, second, and then and transition phrases
like for example, another example, and in addition can help readers follow your ideas more easily. Look
at the paragraph above again. The transition phrases for example and in addition help organize the
supporting sentences logically.

6
B. Over to You
1 Read the paragraph and circle the correct answers for each item.
1
At MuchMarket, we use interactive websites to help sell products. 2For example, we
use customer reviews to get new customers. 3In addition, we use social networking sites to
communicate with customers. 4We pay our employees a lot and give them paid vacations. 5We
love to use the newest technology to attract new customers.

1 Which sentence does not relate to the main idea?

Sentence 2 | Sentence 3 | Sentence 4
2 Which transition phrases connect supporting sentences?
At MuchMarket, | we use | For example, | In addition, | help sell products, | with customers

2 Read the topic sentence. Decide if the sentences support or provide a conclusion for the
topic sentence. Write Y for Yes or N for No.
Topic Sentence: These days, businesses are trying to spend less money on advertising.
1 For example, some companies are not giving employees pay raises, and they are not
offering extra vacation time.
2 Other companies are using free online tools to advertise their products.
3 Some websites offer high-quality products that are still affordable.
4 Companies are finding many ways to lower their advertising costs today.
5 Spending money on advertising can increase profits.
6 Companies that can save money on advertising can use the cash elsewhere.
7 More and more effort is being made by businesses to cut the amount of money they
spend on advertising.
8 Social networking sites can be a great way to generate interest in a product without
spending any money at all.

CHECK!
1 A good | bad paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a
concluding sentence.
2 A good paragraph includes only relevant | irrelevant supporting sentences,
not relevant | irrelevant supporting sentences.
3 A good paragraph also has sentences that are organized transitionally |
logically and uses logic | transition words and phrases correctly.

2 The Paragraph 7
 C. Practice
1 Read the paragraph. Underline three sentences that are irrelevant.
1
Video-sharing websites can help businesses. 2First, many companies can save money by
advertising on these sites. 3A local business, for example, can make a video and post it for
free. 4Famous actors sometimes earn a lot of money. 5Next, businesses can often find new
customers by sharing videos online. 6For example, an American company may be able to
reach a more global market. 7Many Americans think other cultures are truly interesting.
8
Finally, friends can use video-sharing sites to share videos of special events, such as
graduation. 9There are many ways that businesses can use video-sharing websites to sell
their products.

2 Read the paragraph and circle the correct transition words to help connect the ideas.
The restaurant Mimi had a great year. The owner decided to use free online tools to
reach more customers. First, | Then, | After that, he created an account on a popular social
networking site. Then, | First, | In conclusion, he posted information about the restaurant,
including its location, the menu, and a list of daily specials. After that, | In conclusion, |
Finally, he took pictures of happy customers and posted them on the site. Finally, | To start,
| Second, he asked frequent customers to write reviews on the site. Soon the site was very
busy, and the restaurant was full.

3 Read the paragraph and answer the questions.

Virtual Word-of-Mouth Marketing
1
Innovative businesses are now using virtual, or online, word-
of-mouth advertising. 2Have you ever bought something because
a friend said, “I love it!”? 3Most people have. 4In fact, a 2009 study
found that 90 percent of people trust word-of-mouth advertising
more than any other kind. 5Review websites allow customers to
write their opinions about businesses. 6Other people then read
the reviews before making decisions about what to buy. 7Some
businesses also use social networking sites to post frequent
updates. 8People read these updates and tell their friends about
them. 9For example, Kogi, a mobile food truck in Los Angeles,
gives information about its location several times a day. 10Over
50,000 fans follow these updates. 11They buy food when a Kogi
truck is nearby. 12In addition, they often tell their friends. 13Clever
businesses are finding new ways to use websites to promote their
products more effectively.

1 Which sentence is the topic sentence?

2 Which sentence gives a fact about how many people trust word-of-mouth advertising?
3 Which sentences describe how people use review websites?
4 Which sentences describe how businesses use social networking sites?
5 Which transition words are used to connect ideas?
6 Which sentence summarizes the main idea?

8 Skills for Effective Writing 3

D. Skill Quiz
Check (✓) the correct answer for each item.

1 The sentence expresses the main idea 7 Choose the irrelevant sentence in this
of a paragraph. paragraph:
a. topic Some businesses post frequent updates
b. supporting on websites. People read these updates and
c. concluding tell friends. The best businesses treat their
customers well. Clever businesses use these
2 sentences give more information about sites to sell products.
the topic sentence. a. The best businesses treat their
a. Independent customers well.
b. Supporting b. Clever businesses use these sites to
c. Factual sell products.
c. People read these updates and tell
3 A good paragraph has friends.
a. only sentences related to the main
8 Choose a relevant supporting sentence
idea.
for this topic sentence: There are many
b. one or more irrelevant sentences.
examples of word-of-mouth advertising
c. only one relevant sentence.
online.
4 Use transition words to a. You can see posters for new
products in many cities.
a. make an idea relevant.
b. You can find businesses advertising
b. format your paragraph correctly.
on video-sharing websites.
c. help organize supporting sentences.
c. You can make many friends on
social networking sites.
5 Choose the most appropriate transition
phrase for this paragraph:
9 Choose a relevant concluding sentence to
Review websites help companies sell
match this topic sentence: Word-of-mouth
products. , online reviews are helpful for
advertising can be anything from talking to
getting new customers. Social networking
a friend to watching videos online.
sites are also useful.
a. Teens spend more time sending
a. In addition
messages than talking on the phone.
b. For example
b. In everyday life, there are many
c. After that
types of word-of-mouth advertising.
c. Word-of-mouth advertising is a
6 Choose a relevant supporting sentence
good way to make new friends.
for this topic sentence: Many people read
customer reviews when they shop online.
10 Choose the transition words to help
a. Customers use credit or debit cards organize the sentences in this paragraph:
to pay for things online. It is easy to sign up on a video-sharing
b. Online advertisements may be website. , you click on “Sign up.” ,
inappropriate for different cultures. you create a user name.
c. In fact, more than 60 percent of
a. First, Then
shoppers read others’ comments
b. After that, Finally
before deciding which product to
c. For example, In addition
buy.
2 The Paragraph 9
3

CONNECTING TO THE THEME

Topic Sentences

What C
canONNECTING TOa good
you do to make THEME
THEfirst impression? Which of the tips
below do you think may help?
1 YouSuccessful
should be students
neat anddo many things to excel, or do well, in
well-dressed.
school. Find four true statements. Successful students . . .
2 You should make eye contact with the other person.
1 attend class regularly.
3 You should talk a lot about yourself.
2 get notes from other students instead of going to class.
4 You should be comfortable, but you shouldn’t look too casual.
3 talk to other students a lot in class.
5 You should ask about the other person when the time is right.
4 arrive at class on time.
1, 2, 4, and, 5 will help you make a good first impression.

5 pay attention and participate in class.

6 talk to the teacher when they don’t understand something.
Statements 1, 4, 5, and 6 are true.

A. Skill Presentation
The topic sentence tells the main idea of a paragraph. Other sentences in the paragraph relate to
this main idea. It is usually the first sentence in the paragraph, but not always. A topic sentence has
two parts, the topic and the controlling idea. The topic tells the reader who or what the paragraph is
about. It is usually a noun. The controlling idea tells what kind of information you will give about the
topic in your paragraph. Look at this topic sentence.
TOPIC CONTROLLING IDEA
Successful students do many things to excel in school.
The topic is successful students. This tells the reader the paragraph will be about successful students.
The controlling idea is do many things to excel in school. This focuses the topic and tells the reader that
the paragraph will give information about things successful students do to excel in school. Now look
at another topic sentence.
TOPIC CONTROLLING IDEA
Successful students often make great leaders.
The topic of this sentence is also successful students, but the controlling idea is often make great
leaders. This focuses the topic and tells the reader that the paragraph will give information about
successful students being great leaders.

10
B. Over to You
1 Read the topic sentences. Decide what are the topics and what are the controlling ideas.
Circle the topics. Underline the controlling ideas.
1 Students who are successful leaders inspire other people.
2 Scholarships give many students a chance to attend college.
3 Political leaders often inspire people to change society.
4 Success at college can lead to many different opportunities to make a difference.

2 Read the paragraphs and choose the correct topic sentence for each one. There are two
extra sentences.
1 They set an example for other students. Other students tend to listen to their ideas.
Many successful students inspire others to do well. Students who are struggling may even
depend on successful students for help. Students who are successful often have important
positions, like class president. They usually make good leaders.
2 Who is Leymah Gbowee? Gbowee has been fighting for peace for more than a
decade. She has completed many programs that teach skills for peace building. She started
an organization called Women Peace and Security Network Africa. She has won awards for
her peace-building skills. She contributes her knowledge and helps guide the peace process.
Gbowee promotes peace through her leadership.

a Many successful businessmen did well in school.

b Leymah Gbowee was born in Liberia in Africa.
c Successful students are often good leaders.
d Leymah Gbowee is a leader who promotes peace.

CHECK!
1 The in a paragraph tells the main idea of the paragraph. It is
usually early in the paragraph.
2 Always include a in the topic sentence. It tells the reader who
or what the paragraph is about. It is usually a noun.
3 Include a idea in the topic sentence, as well. It focuses the
topic and tells what kind of information you will give about the topic in your
paragraph.

3 Topic Sentences 11
 C. Practice
1 Read each topic sentence in the chart. Decide if the part in bold is the topic or the
controlling idea. Check (✓) the box in the correct column.
CONTROLLING
TOPIC
IDEA

1. Scholarships are a good way to help pay for school.

2. Scholarships are a good way to help pay for school.

3. Mahatma Gandhi promoted peace and nonviolence.

4. Mahatma Gandhi promoted peace and nonviolence.

5. Peaceful leaders often achieve success.

6. Peaceful leaders often achieve success.

7. The definition of “independent” varies across time and cultures.

8. The definition of “independent” varies across time and cultures.

9. The Carter Center contributes to world peace in various ways.

10. The Carter Center contributes to world peace in various ways.

2 Read each topic sentence and circle the correct answer for each item.
1 Some leaders promote peace in their countries.
The topic is some leaders | peace | their countries.
2 The definition of “respect” varies across time.
The controlling idea is that the definition of “respect” is different at different times | is
always the same | is in the dictionary.
3 Successful leaders are respected around the world.
The topic is successful leaders | respect | the world.
4 Peaceful movements can change the world.
The controlling idea is that peaceful movements can make the world different | are always
effective | may exist.
5 Many wealthy people contribute money to help improve bad situations.
The topic is many wealthy people | money | bad situations.
6 Bill Gates achieved great wealth as the head of Microsoft.
This paragraph will give information about how Bill Gates became wealthy | stayed busy |
retired from Microsoft.
7 The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has helped many people around the world.
The topic is the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation | Bill Gates | people around the world.
8 Some college programs promote independent thinking.
This paragraph will give information about how some college programs encourage people
to think independently | want everyone to think the same way | offer only a few majors.

12 Skills for Effective Writing 3

D. Skill Quiz
Check (✓) the correct answer for each item.

1 What does the topic sentence of a 7 Bill and Melinda Gates founded an
paragraph do? organization to help people around the
a. gives information about several world.
different topics What is the topic in this topic sentence?
b. tells the main idea of the a. people around the world
paragraph b. an organization
c. gives examples of the topic c. Bill and Melinda Gates

2 The topic sentence of a paragraph is 8 Mahatma Gandhi succeeded by inspiring

usually many people.
a. the first or second sentence. What is the controlling idea in this topic
b. in the middle of the paragraph. sentence?
c. the last sentence. a. why inspiring many people made
Gandhi successful
3 What does the topic of a topic sentence tell b. why people inspired Gandhi to be
the reader? successful
a. what the title of the paragraph is c. why different people define success
b. who or what the paragraph is in different ways
about
c. the specific information the 9 The Carter Center works to bring peace to
paragraph will give the world.
What is the controlling idea in this topic
4 What does the controlling idea of a topic sentence?
sentence tell the reader? a. how peace organizations are
a. what the title of the paragraph is usually effective
b. what the main subject of the b. how The Carter Center tries to
paragraph is make the world more peaceful
c. the information the paragraph will c. how The Carter Center guides
give about the topic world leaders

5 Study groups help students succeed in 10 Political leaders often inspire people around
college. the world.
What is the topic in this topic sentence? What is the controlling idea in this topic
sentence?
a. study groups
b. college students a. ways that people everywhere are
c. success in college inspired by political leaders
b. ways that inspirational people vote
6 Grants can help pay for a student’s for good leaders
education. c. ways that leaders inspire people to
What is the topic in this topic sentence? travel
a. a student
b. grants
c. education

3 Topic Sentences 13
4
Supporting Sentences

CONNECTING
CONNECTINGTOTOTHE THEME
THE THEME
What can you do to make a good first impression? Which of the tips
Manydoscientists
below you thinkargue that how children are nurtured, or cared for
may help?
as they grow up, can have a positive influence on their ability to
1 You should
learn. Whichbeof neat
theseand well-dressed.
reasons support this argument?
2 You should
1 Many makehave
studies eye proven
contactthat
withreading
the other person.children
to young
3 You should talk
increases theira ability
lot about yourself.
to learn.
4 You
2 A should be comfortable,
good education butto
is thought you shouldn’t
play a majorlook
role too casual.
in improving
scores on intelligence tests.
5 You should ask about the other person when the time is right.
3 Children at one school all had different scores on an
1, 2, 4, and, 5 will help you make a good first impression.

intelligence test.
4 Studies show that healthy children got significantly higher
scores on intelligence tests.
5 Healthy food and exercise are good for children.
can positively impact ability to learn.
Reasons 1, 2, and 4 support the argument that nurture

A. Skill Presentation
A paragraph is a group of sentences about one topic. It starts with a topic sentence, which tells
the main idea of a paragraph. The sentences that support the topic sentence are called supporting
sentences. Supporting sentences are related to the topic sentence, and they are specific. They often
answer the questions who, what, when, where, why, and how by giving facts, examples, or other
details. Look at this example. This supporting sentence answers the question What is meant by nature?
TSOne study suggests that intelligence is determined by nature. SSNature means the
characteristics a person gets from their parents.
Now let’s add a second supporting sentence. This supporting sentence adds details that answer the
question What happened in the study?
SSSeveral twins, who share many characteristics, took an intelligence test and got similar scores.
It is important to make sure that all the supporting sentences in your paragraph are closely related to
the topic sentence. Irrelevant sentences are sentences that are not related to the topic sentence. They
can make your writing confusing and difficult to follow.

14
B. Over to You
1 Read the topic sentence. Decide if each supporting sentence in the chart is related or
unrelated. Check (✓) the box in the correct column.
Topic Sentence: The Minnesota Center for Twin and Family Research is currently doing an
interesting study about twins.
RELATED UNRELATED
(RELEVANT) (IRRELEVANT)

1. It examines how nature and nurture affect twins.

2. Researchers at the center hope to learn more about human
development from this study.
3. More than 5,000 people have participated in the study.

4. Some twins do not look alike.

2 Read the sentences from a paragraph about Gregor Mendel. Check (✓) the two
sentences that are unrelated to the topic sentence.
Topic Sentence: Gregor Mendel was an important researcher.
a. His research helped people learn about how nature affects living things.
b. Mendel did several studies during the nineteenth century.
c. He looked at similarities between related pea plants.
d. Friedrich Franz was Mendel’s teacher at the University of Olomouc.
e. Mendel’s experiments with pea plants were some of the first studies about genetics, or
the study of genes.
f. After doing these studies, Mendel said that some genes are stronger than others.
g. Lucien Cuénot was also a leader in the field of genetics.
h. Many of Mendel’s ideas are still used today.

CHECK!
1 Supporting sentences are to the topic sentence and are
.
2 They often answer the questions who, what, when, where, how, or why
about the by giving facts, examples, and other details.
3 It is important for all of the supporting sentences in a paragraph to relate to
the topic sentence. Avoid sentences that are not to the topic
sentence. Sentences like these are considered irrelevant.

4 Supporting Sentences 15
 C. Practice
1 Read each supporting sentence in the chart. Decide which topic sentence it is related
to. Check (✓) the box in the correct column.
Topic Sentence 1: Genetics is an important scientific field.
Topic Sentence 2: Dominant genes are more powerful than others.
TOPIC TOPIC
SENTENCE 1 SENTENCE 2

1. Genetics is the study of how characteristics are passed through

genes.
2. For example, the gene for brown eyes is stronger than the gene for
blue eyes.
3. Scientists who study genetics have learned a lot about human
behavior.
4. Genes help determine many physical characteristics.

5. Scientists who study genetics are called geneticists.

6. Genes that are less strong are called recessive genes.

7. It can help explain which traits people get from their parents.
8. One reason more people have dark hair than light hair is because
the gene for dark hair is stronger.
9. Geneticists want to understand why family members often have
similar diseases.

2 Read the two topic sentences in the chart. For each one, choose three supporting
sentences that answer the questions who, where, and when. Write the letters of the
correct supporting sentences in the boxes in the correct columns.

WHO? WHERE? WHEN?

1. Many geneticists did studies similar to the ones Mendel started.

2. Howard Gardner believes people have several different kinds of
intelligence.

a Cuénot did his studies during the twentieth century.

b He does research at Harvard University.
c Lucien Cuénot did genetic research on plants and animals.
d In 1983, he published a book about multiple intelligences.
e He was the first person to describe multiple intelligences.
f Cuénot also worked in Europe.

16 Skills for Effective Writing 3

D. Skill Quiz
Check (✓) the correct answer for each item.

1 Supporting sentences are 7 Choose the supporting sentence that is

a. related to the topic sentence. unrelated to this topic sentence: Cuénot
b. unrelated to the topic sentence. and Mendel were important geneticists.
c. general and not specific. a. Scientists agree that Cuénot’s and
Mendel’s studies were significant.
2 Supporting sentences often b. They helped us understand more
a. list all questions related to the about the role of nature.
main idea. c. Other scientists believe that people
b. ask a question. have emotional intelligence.
c. answer a question like Why?
8 Choose the supporting sentence that
3 Supporting sentences that are unrelated to answers the question Who has the same
the topic sentence can make your writing DNA? for this topic sentence: People with
identical genes have identical DNA.
a. stronger.
b. more confusing. a. DNA is located inside the cells of
c. easier to read. all living things.
b. Therefore, identical twins have
4 Choose the best supporting sentence matching DNA.
for this topic sentence: Twins that are c. It is an important part of biology.
separated at birth have many similarities.
9 Choose the supporting sentence that
a. The differences are also interesting,
answers the question What is eyesight? for
such as liking different foods.
this topic sentence: Poor eyesight is partly
b. Many cousins are also similar.
the result of genetics.
c. Studies show twins raised apart
score similarly on intelligence tests. a. Eyesight is how well a person sees.
b. Children who have two parents
5 Choose the best supporting sentence with poor vision will be affected.
for this topic sentence: According to c. This is because genes contain some
Howard Gardner, there are many kinds of information about vision.
intelligences.
10 Choose the supporting sentence that
a. Some scientists use intelligence
answers the question Who was Gregor
tests in their studies.
Mendel? for this topic sentence: Modern
b. “Emotional intelligence” means
genetics was founded by Gregor Mendel.
how well you understand emotions.
c. The Michigan Research Center a. Research was done in several
tested twins’ intelligence. European countries.
b. It was founded during the middle
6 Choose the supporting sentence that is of the nineteenth century.
unrelated to this topic sentence: Many c. Gregor Mendel was an Austrian
researchers study DNA. scientist.
a. DNA carries genetic information.
b. Scientists are fascinated by twins.
c. One organization in the U.S. has
over 50 genetic researchers.
4 Supporting Sentences 17