Developing a Paragraph

by Nilakshi Herath |

This lesson provides an opportunity for the students to use prewriting models to develop a topic into a paragraph including a proper topic sentence, supporting details and a concluding sentence.

Resource Type: Lesson Plan

Audience: Adult, Secondary

Audience Language Proficiency: Intermediate

Duration: 60 minutes

Materials And Technology:
  • Language Lab or web-browsing enabled personal devices
  • Access to internet

Objective:

The lesson aims to enable students to

  • Choose a topic using prewriting tools such as observation, reading, freewriting, WH questions, etc...
  •  Narrow the focus using more prewriting tools such as brainstorming, idea mapping, and internet surfing techniques
  • Use the information gathered as supporting details in a paragraph
  • Provide proper concluding sentences
  • Use peer reviews and editing checklists to assist revising and editing

Outcome:

At the end of the lesson students will be able to:

Write paragraphs with a proper topic sentence, supporting details and a concluding sentence

Language Skill: Writing
Content Area:

English as a Second Language

Portfolios for Self-Regulated Learning

Procedure:

01. Prepare (10 minutes)

Initiate a discussion with students providing them some pictures and asking them WH questions

02.Guided practice (20 minutes)

Group students into mixed ability groups and provide each group with a picture and ask them to brainstorm

Instructor goes to each group and asks  WH questions as to what, when, where, Why, Who  and how

Instructor explains to the whole class topic sentence, supporting details and a concluding sentence

Demonstrate how prewriting techniques help in choosing a topic, supporting details, concluding sentences avoiding the inclusion of irrelevant ideas

03. Practice ( 20 minutes)

Ask students to select one picture and write one paragraph with a proper topic sentence, supporting details and a concluding sentence

04. Closure (10 minutes)

Provide students with a checklist and engage them in a peer review

Assessment: As a formative assessment students have to include this paragraph into their portfolio with a reflective essay

Supporting Files:
Developing A Paragraph 01.pdf
Developing A Paragraph 02.pdf

TESOL Interest Section: English as a Foreign Language, Second Langauge Writing

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