Paragraph Writing 寫段落
BasicCapital letters and full stops.
- Paragraph shape: topic sentence → two or three details → a feeling sentence.
- The topic sentence gives the whole idea: My favourite hobby is reading.
- Order events with First / Then / After that.
文體小知識：Write a short paragraph.
§Text Passage
1Last Saturday, I went to the wet market with my mother for the first time. She writes a shopping list before we go. On the list, the words are in small letters, and I help her read them. The market was crowded and noisy, but it was very interesting.
2First, we bought fresh fish from the fish stall. Then we bought vegetables, eggs and some fruit. A kind uncle gave me a sweet orange for free. Mother taught me how to choose fresh vegetables and how to ask for a good price. On the way out, we bought two bottles of soy milk.
3I carried the heavy bags and helped her walk home. At home, we cooked a big lunch together. I wrote a short paragraph in my diary about the trip. I checked my spelling with the dictionary, just like my teacher says. It is one of my happiest Saturdays this year. I hope I can go to the market again soon.
§Sentence-by-sentence translation Sentence-by-sentence translation
Last Saturday, I went to the wet market with my mother for the first time.
上個星期六，我第一次跟媽媽去街市。
She writes a shopping list before we go.
出發之前，他會先寫好一張購物清單。
On the list, the words are in small letters, and I help her read them.
清單上面的字小小的，我會幫他看。
The market was crowded and noisy, but it was very interesting.
街市又擠又吵，不過我覺得好有趣。
First, we bought fresh fish from the fish stall.
首先，我們在魚攤買了一條新鮮的魚。
Then we bought vegetables, eggs and some fruit.
然後買了菜、雞蛋同水果。
A kind uncle gave me a sweet orange for free.
有個好心的叔叔還請我吃了一個甜橙。
Mother taught me how to choose fresh vegetables and how to ask for a good price.
媽媽教會我怎樣挑選新鮮蔬菜，還有怎樣問價。
On the way out, we bought two bottles of soy milk.
走出去的時候，我們買了兩瓶豆漿。
I carried the heavy bags and helped her walk home.
我幫忙拿着那些重重的袋子，扶着媽媽一起走回家。
At home, we cooked a big lunch together.
回到家，我們一起煮了餐豐富的午餐。
I wrote a short paragraph in my diary about the trip.
我在日記裡寫了一段關於這次去街市的事。
I checked my spelling with the dictionary, just like my teacher says.
我按照老師說的，用字典檢查了串字。
It is one of my happiest Saturdays this year.
這一天是我今年其中一個最開心的星期六。
I hope I can go to the market again soon.
我希望很快可以再去街市。
1Summary 重點摘要
Capital letters and full stops.
2Vocabulary cards Vocabulary
Write.
Sentence.
Paragraph.
Capital.
Full stop.
Spelling.
Grammar.
Check.
3Step by step Steps
- First sentence: the topic sentenceMy favourite hobby is reading. The topic sentence tells the whole idea of the paragraph in one line, usually at the front. It should be broad but pointed: broad enough to cover the paragraph, pointed enough to name one hobby or one event. Before writing, ask: what is the one sentence this paragraph must say? That is your topic sentence.
- Second and third: add detailsI read books every night. Books take me to different worlds. After the topic sentence, add two or three details: when you do it (every night), why you like it (it takes you to other worlds), how you do it. Details must serve the topic sentence — leave out anything unrelated. One detail per sentence gives the paragraph a body.
- Order ideas with connectorsFirst... Then... After that... — First, we bought fish. Then we bought vegetables. In a narrative paragraph, First, Then, After that and Finally join the events in order, so the reader never loses the thread. Connectors are the signposts of a paragraph; without them the sentences are loose beads. Order the events first, then fit the connectors in.
- Capitals and full stops in every sentenceA paragraph may hold four or five sentences, and every one of them needs a capital at the front and a full stop at the end — not one missing. A paragraph is built of sentences, so untidy sentences make an untidy paragraph. Check with a pencil tip: point at each sentence and check its capital and full stop. One minute, whole marks saved.
- Last sentence: your feelingI learn many new things. It is one of my happiest Saturdays. The last sentence gives a feeling or a summary, so the paragraph lands instead of stopping mid-air. The closing line can say what you learned, how you felt, or wrap up the whole idea in one breath. After the details, ask: what should the reader feel? Write that down last.
- Read the whole paragraph throughWhen the whole paragraph is done, read it aloud once and listen for the sentence that jars or the gap where a connector is missing. Fix the jar, add the connector. Reading aloud is the most effective paragraph check, because the ear hears breaks that the eye skips. While reading, glance at each capital and full stop too — two checks in one.
5Worked example Example
Question: How do we grow one topic sentence into a full paragraph?
- Step 1: Write the topic sentence — My favourite hobby is reading. — one line that sets the centre.
- Step 2: Add the habit — I read books every night. — say when you do it.
- Step 3: Add the reason or feeling — Books take me to different worlds. — say why you love it.
- Step 4: Add what you gain — I learn many new things. — the gift the hobby gives you.
- Step 5: Read the paragraph through and check every capital and full stop; fix anything that jars.
- Answer: Sample answer: My favourite hobby is reading. I read books every night. Books take me to different worlds. I learn many new things. — topic sentence, details and feeling, a complete paragraph.
6Common mistakes Mistakes
7Quick check Quick check
Q1Need?
Q2Paragraph?
Q3After?
Q4How many topic sentences are there in one paragraph?
Q5What should you do after writing a paragraph?
8Recap Recap
- Paragraph shape: topic sentence → two or three details → a feeling sentence.
- The topic sentence gives the whole idea: My favourite hobby is reading.
- Order events with First / Then / After that.
- One paragraph, one topic — do not cram.
- Read it aloud once before you call it done.