Reading & Language System:Theme Exercise
Use of English
Introduction
•In this session, we will learn about…
–The format of the theme exercise
–Key knowledge tested in the theme exercise:paragraph structure
–Keywords in doing the exercise: Transitionmarkers
Format of Theme Exercise
•A passage of around 200 – 300 words
•Complete the paragraphs by choosing the mostsuitable sentence
•Things to look for…
–Symbol for a new paragraph (Topic sentence)
–Development of idea
•1 idea in 1 paragraph
•Paragraph structure
•1 tense in 1 paragraph
–Signpost words (e.g. for example / however)
–Pronouns + relative pronouns
The paragraph is a series of sentencesdeveloping one topic.
Types of Paragraphs
•The narrative paragraph
•tells a story
•The persuasive paragraph.
•tries to convince the audience
•The descriptive paragraph
•describes something
•The expository or explanatory paragraph
•gives information or explains something
The Topic Sentence
•The topic of a paragraph isintroduced in one sentence.This is called the topicsentence.
The topic sentence talks about themain idea briefly.
• Through the centuries ratshave managed to survive all ourefforts to destroy them. We havepoisoned them and trappedthem. We have fumigated,flooded, and burned them. Wehave tried germ warfare. Somerats even survived atomic bombtests conducted on Entwetokatoll in the Pacific after WorldWar II. In spite of all ourefforts, these enemies of ourscontinue to prove that they arethe most indestructible of pests.
main
idea
A topic sentence
may be
developed
by giving
examples.
A topic sentence
may be
developed
by giving
examples.
A topic
sentence may
be developed
by telling
an
incident
A topic
sentence may
be developed
by telling
an
incident
•A topic sentencemay be developedby giving details.
Developing a Paragraph
We can develop or explain themain idea by giving examples ortelling an incident.
• Through the centuries ratshave managed to survive all ourefforts to destroy them. We havepoisoned them and trappedthem. We have fumigated,flooded, and burned them. Wehave tried germ warfare. Somerats even survived atomic bombtests conducted on Entwetokatoll in the Pacific after WorldWar II. In spite of all ourefforts, these enemies of ourscontinue to prove that they arethe most indestructible of pests.
Giving
examples
Telling an
incident
Unity in the Paragraph
Every sentence in a paragraph should support the mainidea expressed in the topic sentence.
main idea
sentence
sentence
sentence
sentence
The concluding orclincher sentence
•Restate the topic sentence in different words.
•A clincher sentence or concluding sentenceclinches the point made in the paragraph.
•It summarizes the paragraph.
The concluding sentence sums upthe main idea made in theparagraph.
• Through the centuries ratshave managed to survive all ourefforts to destroy them. We havepoisoned them and trappedthem. We have fumigated,flooded, and burned them. Wehave tried germ warfare. Somerats even survived atomic bombtests conducted on Entwetokatoll in the Pacific after WorldWar II. In spite of all ourefforts, these enemies of ourscontinue to prove that they arethe most indestructible of pests.
main
idea
concluding
sentence
Coherence in a Paragraph
Coherence in a Paragraph
•Stick
to
the
point:
The
ideas
have
a
clear
and
logical
relation
to
each
other.
•Put
details
or
examples
or
incidents
in
logical
order.
4
3
2
1
Chronological
Explaining with examples
Compare and contrast
Connecting SentencesWithin the Paragraph
Chronological
order
to
begin
with
first
meanwhile
later
afterwards
finally
Explaining
with
examples
for
example
for
instance
namely
specifically
as
an
illustration
Contrast
however
nevertheless
nonetheless
yet
on
the
(contrary
/
other
hand)
Transition words
Addition
moreover
furthermore
besides
in
addition
equally
important
Connecting SentencesWithin the Paragraph
Similar
ideas
also
in
the
same
way
similarly
likewise
Important
ideas
certainly
indeed
in
fact
of
course
for
certain
Conclusion
/
Summary
all
in
all
in
brief
in
conclusion
to
conclude
to
sum
up
Transition words
Sample: UE Section B (1998)
Many of your friends attend tutorial schools. Yourteachers, however, feel that attending such schoolsis highly undesirable. Your class teacher has toldyou to write an essay discussing the pros and consof attending tutorial schools.
Write the essay, and at the end state your personalview, providing justification for your opinion.Give your essay a title.
Points to Note
•Give your essay a title (Attending TutorialSchools – Is it a smart choice?)
•Pos (acquire exam techniques in a short period oftime) (get exam tips)
•Cons (lose interest in school) (exam-oriented)
•Your personal view (disagree)
•Justification for your opinion (learning is not allabout exams – there are many other things to learnin schools, e.g. interpersonal skills and time-management skill)
How should the paragraph look like?
Now, try to write the rest of theessay!!