B1 Lesson 1: Writing a Basic Paragraph with a Clear Topic Sentence and Supporting Details
Welcome to B1 Paragraphing! You know that a paragraph1 is a group of sentences about one main idea. At this level, we will learn the professional structure2 that all good paragraphs share.
A great paragraph always has two key parts: a Topic Sentence and Supporting Sentences.
1. The Topic Sentence: The "Boss" of the Paragraph
The topic sentence3 is the most important sentence. It usually comes first and tells the reader the main idea of the whole paragraph. A good topic sentence makes a clear point that you can explain further.
| Type | Example | Why it's good or bad |
|---|---|---|
| Too General | Motorcycles are common. | This is a fact, but it doesn't give a specific idea to discuss. |
| Too Specific | My motorcycle is red. | This is a detail. There is nothing more to say about it. |
| Good | Owning a motorcycle in Kampot has several advantages. | This is perfect! The reader expects you to list the advantages. |
2. Supporting Sentences: The "Workers"
Supporting sentences4 come after the topic sentence. Their job is to support, explain, or give examples of the main idea. Every supporting sentence must directly relate to the topic sentence.
Deconstructing a Paragraph
Let's look at a paragraph and identify its parts.
(Topic Sentence) → Learning English online has many benefits.
(Supporting Sentence 1) → First, it is very convenient because you can study from anywhere with an internet connection.
(Supporting Sentence 2) → Furthermore, online lessons are often more affordable than private schools.
(Supporting Sentence 3) → You can also find teachers from all over the world with different accents.
B1 Paragraph Checklist
- ✔️ Does my paragraph have one clear Topic Sentence at the beginning?
- ✔️ Does every Supporting Sentence directly explain or give an example of the topic sentence?
- ✔️ Are all my sentences focused on only one main idea?
- ✔️ Have I checked my grammar, spelling, and punctuation?
🧠 Practice Quiz: Find the Best Topic Sentence
Read the supporting sentences below. Which of the options would be the best topic sentence for this paragraph?
Supporting Sentences:
... First, it has a beautiful river where you can watch the sunset. It also has many old French buildings that are interesting to look at. Finally, the people are very friendly and welcoming to visitors.
- Kampot is a province in Cambodia.
- There are many reasons why Kampot is a wonderful town to visit.
- I went to Kampot last year.
Answer: B. This sentence introduces the main idea (reasons to visit Kampot), and all the supporting sentences give examples of those reasons.
📝 Homework: Write Your Own Paragraph
It's time to write your first structured paragraph!
1. Choose ONE of the topic sentences below to start your paragraph.
- My favorite holiday in Cambodia is Pchum Ben for several reasons.
- Social media can be both useful and harmful.
- Regular exercise is very important for a healthy life.
2. Brainstorm 2-3 supporting details that explain or prove the topic sentence.
3. Write your complete paragraph in your notebook. Start with the topic sentence, then add your supporting sentences. Use the checklist to check your work.
Vocabulary Glossary
- Paragraph: (Noun) - កថាខណ្ឌ - A group of sentences about one main idea. ↩
- Structure: (Noun) - រចនាសម្ព័ន្ធ - The way in which the parts of something are arranged or organized. ↩
- Topic Sentence: (Noun Phrase) - ប្រយោគប្រធានបទ - The sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph, usually the first sentence. ↩
- Supporting Sentence: (Noun Phrase) - ប្រយោគគាំទ្រ - A sentence that explains, proves, or gives examples of the main idea in the topic sentence. ↩
- Benefit / Advantage: (Noun) - អត្ថប្រយោជន៍ - A helpful or good effect that something has.