IELTS WRITING - Topic sentence & Supporting ideas

Paragraph

·         A paragraph contains 2 – 7 sentences developing 1 main idea.

·         A paragraph can have 1, 2 or 3 supporting ideas

·         To link supporting ideas, we can …

A good supporting idea should be:

·         03 requirements

◦     clear

◦     formal

◦     concise

◦     ideas do not overlap

I.       Clarity

·         sign-post

·         agree or disagree and its degree

·         who/what is mentioned?

1.      Sign-post

The first idea:

·         Firstly, clause

·         First, clause

·         In the first place, clause

·         The first benefit is to do something / is that + clause / is noun phrase

The second idea:

·         Secondly, clause

·         Second, clause

·         Furthermore / Moreover / In addition / Equally important, clause

·         The second benefit / Disadvantages is to do something / is that clause / is noun phrase

·         Another benefit is

The third idea:

·         Thirdly / Third / In the third place, clause

·         Furthermore / Moreover / In addition, clause

·         Lastly, clause

2.      Agree & Disagree

Benefit / Advantage -> Have (a) positive / good influence / impact(s) on sth -> Have (a) great / significant / tremendous positive impact(s) on sth

Disadvantage / drawback / downside -> Have (a) negative/ unwanted / adverse effect(s) on sth -> Have (an) appalling / catastrophic / disastrous consequence(s) to sth / effect(s) on sth

Note: Đối tượng ảnh hưởng, con người, xã hội

·         Hoạt động nuôi vật nuôi có ảnh hưởng tới sức khỏe của chúng ta.

·         Phá hủy các căn nhà cổ sẽ ảnh hưởng tới nhận thức của giới trẻ.

3.      Who and what?

Identify	·         Rule ·         Diversity the objects mentioned by using synonyms.
Negative	·         Victims / patients / addicts / abusers / suffers
Neutural and positive	·         Learner / users / owners / watchers / viewers / players ·         The older / the young / children / adults / parents / couples

II.    Formality & how to achieve it

·         Advoid Verb-ing at the beginning of the sentence and using overused words like get / help / make.

·         Start with a noun phrase and use formal fixed phrases fluently.

Ex: Watching TV, first of all, has negative effects on people's health.

Advoid Ving

            Add a synonym → start with a sign post → start with words showing degree → turn V-ing into people → use complex structures → put effect before reason.

·         Synonym: The habit of / Addiction to watching TV, first …

·         People: TV addicts may also suffer health problems

·         Sign-post: Another undeniable disadvantage of watching TV is to adversely affect people's health.

·         Word of degree: Another possible result of watching TV is to adversely affect people's health.

·         Effect before reason: People's health deterioration is another drawback of watching TV too much.

·         Complex: When people watch TV too much, they may suffer health problems.

III.  Concise

·         Don't list

·         Don't give example

·         Sure about the idea

·         Make sure topic sentences in an essay not overlap each other.

·         Vary your structures in the topic sentences.

·         Follow three criteria.

Ex:

·         The first benefit of watching TV is to greatly enrich people's knowledge. (Sign-post)

·         The improvement in communication skill is another benefit of TV viewers. (Effect as the subject)

·         Finally, watchers can enjoy recreational and interesting moments through different TV program. (People as the subject)