2.  Interesting content  Focus: organization around a topic sentence  Adequate support for the topic sentence (sufficient reasons, examples, and details)  Supporting sentences have a clear relationship to the topic sentence  Logical development  Coherence: smooth transitions from one point to the next—no jumps

3.  One paragraph has only one topic.  The topic is stated in a topic sentence.  All the other sentences in the paragraph are related to the topic sentence.  No sentences are “off topic.”

4.  The topic sentence establishes a “bull’s eye” that the other sentences must hit.

5.  The topic introduced in the topic sentence should be adequately developed.  Supporting sentences should be in logical order.

6.  There are smooth transitions between the sentences in a paragraph—there should not be any abrupt jumps.

7. Read the seven paragraphs that follow. For each of the paragraphs, answer the following questions:  Does the paragraph have a topic sentence?  If it does, what are the key words that predict how the topic that will be developed?  Are each of the key words developed?  Are all the other sentences in the paragraph related to the topic sentence?  If there is no topic sentence, suggest one.  Are there any abrupt “jumps”?

8. My hometown is Tainan, a city famous for its historic spots and traditional snacks. The people here are very friendly and hospitable. Tainan also has one of the most famous night markets in Taiwan, the Huayuan night market. You can find apparel to cover everything from head to toe there, and taste many delicious foods. It is a place you can relax and breathe fresh air. You should visit the Huayuan night market. You will be amazed and your visit to Tainan will be unforgettable. Paragraph 1

9. Fresh air???

10. My hometown, Tainan, is famous for its historic landmarks, traditional snacks, and friendly residents… but I think the one Tainan experience that out-of-town visitors will enjoy most is a trip to Taiwan’s largest night market, Huayuan Market. Paragraph 1

11. My hometown Hongmao Harbor, has been made a cultural park. Hongmao Harbor is close to the seaside, and most of residents fish for a living. When I was young, I often went to the seaside to catch fish, crabs, and kiln [?]. It was very interesting. Temples are one of the features of Hongmao Harbor. There are many temples there, and each temple represents a different family name. Another famous place is the Gao-Zi Tower, located in the second harbor. It is a lighthouse and serves to guide ships into the harbor. In the middle of the tower, there is a revolving restaurant. As you enjoy your meal, the restaurant rotates. It is very interesting. After dark, the tower is more beautiful. Each week, it attracts many tourists. It has become one of the most famous landmarks of Hongmao Harbor. Paragraph 2

12. My hometown, Hongmao Harbor, has recently been designated as a cultural park and has undergone a facelift that has made it one of Kaohsiung’s major tourist attractions. Paragraph 3

14. My hometown, Madou, is a traditional town with many temples. On one short road, there might be two or three temples. When we were children, my grandfather and grandmother often took us to feed turtles at a pool next to one of the temples. The most famous product of Madou is the pomelo, a grapefruit- like citrus fruit. During the fall harvest season, you can see pomelos in every household and eating pomelo is a must during the Mid Autumn Moon Festival. Another of Madou’s traditional foods is w ă nkē ( 碗稞 ), a salty rice paste cooked in its own serving bowl and topped with a savory sauce. If you go to Madou, you must try it. Paragraph 3

15. My hometown, Madou, is a city where visitors can experience traditional Taiwanese culture and sample several special foods. OR: My hometown, Madou, is a traditional city that is famous for its many temples and its special foods. Paragraph 3

16. I was born and grew up in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Kaohsiung is the second biggest city in Taiwan, the sixth largest port in the world. It is situated in southern Taiwan and is crowded with more than 2.7 million people. The most famous sight here is probably Sizih Bay. The bay, situated between Wanshou Shan and Chichin Island, is known for its glistening blue waters, its natural coral reefs, and its gorgeous sunsets. The sunset at Sizihwan is acknowledged as one of the eight famous scenes of Kaohsiung. When the night approaches and the sun sets, the beautiful glow of the setting sun extends from the sky into the water, creating a beautiful backdrop for couples who want to enjoy romantic walks accompanied by the soothing sounds of waves lapping against the shore. My husband and I used to like to go for walks there. Another attraction that I would recommend is the Liouhe tourist night market. It is only a minute’s walk from the KRT Formosa Boulevard Station, making it a convenient stop for both local and international travelers. There are more than 170 stalls of all types that sell a huge variety of items, including traditionalTaiwanese snacks, fashionable clothing, accessories, and folklore games. These two places are my favorite attractions in Kaohsiung, and I sincerely recommend both of them to you. Paragraph 4

17. I am a native of Taiwan’s second biggest city and the world’s sixth largest port—the city of Kaohsiung. It is a city that has many attractions. Of these attractions, I especially recommend Sizhi Bay and the Liohe night market.

18. Where is my hometown? You may be able to guess from some of its well-known attractions. If you want to eat the food at night, you can go to the Nanhua night market. This night market has many different foods and many visitors from China come here. Once when I went there, I found myself surrounded by mainland Chinese accents. If you have time for sightseeing, you should take a boat tour of the Love River--the view is beautiful, especially in the evening. If you want to go shopping, the most popular shopping district is the New Jyuejiang Shopping Area. In this area, there are many stores that sell clothes, shoes, and other fashion items. Now can you guess where my hometown is? It is Kaohsiung, a nice place. Paragraph 5

19. In my hometown, one thing never changes: the warm concern that residents have for one another. The village where I grew up is located near the coast of the Taiwan Strait in what is now the greater Tainan municipal area. In my hometown, the two largest population groups are seniors and children. When I was in junior high, I went to school by bus at 6:00 every day, and some of the old farmers often asked me if I had eaten breakfast. I always said I was full with a big smile, but sometimes they invited me to dine at their homes or gave me some of the fruits and vegetables they had cultivated. Other neighbors dropped by every day to express their care for us and usually brought food to share. So the door of our house was seldom locked during the day, even when we were not at home. When I go back to the village now, even seniors I do not know tell me about their lives, offer me some fruits, and ask me about my job and family, as if we were family. My hometown is truly a friendly village. Paragraph 6