1. © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Chapter 6 –
Ideas
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© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.

2. © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Opening Activity
In a small group, create one paragraph about a topic familiar to all. Reflect on the paragraph, and then discuss the following questions:
How do you know that what you created is a paragraph?
What are some of the common parts of any paragraph?
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3. © 2016. Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
Learning Outcomes
By the time you finish reading and studying this chapter, you should be able to:
LO1 Understand paragraphs.
LO2 Read for topics.
LO3 Select a topic for writing.
LO4 Read for main ideas.
LO5 Establish a main idea for writing.
LO6 Read for supporting details.
LO7 Choose supporting details in writing.
LO8 Close a paragraph.
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© Cengage Learning. All rights reserved.
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4. Understanding Paragraphs
Paragraphs are groups of sentences that form a unified unit of thought. Your paragraphs should contain three main parts:
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5. Understanding Paragraphs
Below are four common types of paragraphs:
Types of Paragraphs
Description
Narrative
Shares an experience and answers who? what? when? where? and why?
Descriptive
Presents a clear picture of a person, a place, a thing, or an idea, helping the reader to visualize or see a topic
Expository
Explains, discusses, compares, defines, classifies or illustrates
Argument
Supports an opinion or claim with strong details
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Reading for Topics
A paragraph, an essay, or any other reading selection centers around a topic.
Topics are:
Persons
Places
Ideas
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7. Reading for Topics STEPS TO FOLLOW 1 2
When reading an assignment, you must be able to identify the topic. You can do that by following these steps:
STEPS TO FOLLOW
For paragraphs, read the title and first sentence. If you’re still not sure, check the closing sentence, too.
For essays, read the title, any additional headings, and the first paragraph. If you’re still not sure, read the first sentences of the first few paragraphs. 1 2
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8. Reading for Topics in the title and first sentence OR
You may find the topic of a reading assignment . . .
in the title and first sentence OR
in the first sentence of a paragraph OR
at the end of the first paragraph of an essay
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Activity
Identify the topic of the following text. Then discuss where the topic is first stated.
“Did you watch Colbert last night? Have you seen the KONY video? My friend just tweeted me the link.” If this sounds familiar, you’re in good company. “Viral videos” and social networking have become a part of daily life. Politicians and political campaigns are scrambling to figure out how best to take advantage of new social media.
Choose from the following possible topics:
a. Social media
b. Daily life
c. Politicians and political campaigns
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10. Selecting a Topic for Writing
You need good ideas to develop a piece of writing. Use a topic selection process that moves from a general subject to a more specific topic.
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11. Selecting a Topic for Writing
If you need to jump start your thinking about a writing project, try one of the following strategies:
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Strategy
Description
Listing
Freely list as many ideas as you can. Then review your list for a possible topic.
Clustering
Create a cluster (or web) by putting a general subject or key word in a circle in the middle of a page. Then create a cluster around it of circles containing related words or topic ideas.
Freewriting
Discover possible topics by writing nonstop for five minutes about your assignment.
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12. STEPS TO HELP IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA
Reading for Main Ideas
Almost everything you read develops a main idea. Use the following steps to help you identify the main idea in a longer text, such as an essay or a textbook chapter.
STEPS TO HELP IDENTIFY THE MAIN IDEA
STEP 1
Skim the title and any headings in the reading selection.
STEP 2
Then read the opening paragraph or few paragraphs.
STEP 3
In the opening, look for a sentence that seems to direct the reading. Often this sentence appears at the end of the first or second paragraph.
STEP 4
Then, as you continue to read, see if this statement makes sense as the main idea. Each new paragraph should explain or support it.
STEP 5
If your thinking changes, identify what you now consider to be the main idea.
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Reading for Main Ideas
A topic sentence identifies the main idea of a paragraph, and a thesis statement identifies the main idea of a longer work. If the main idea is implied or not directly stated, follow these steps:
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14. Establishing a Main Idea for Writing
Use this process to help you develop a main idea:
Brainstorm to identify what you already know about the topic (but usually your own thoughts are not enough).
Use the 5W and H questions to help you guide a search for additional information.
Choose a specific focus so your writing will be clear.
Form a topic sentence = topic + a special feeling, feature or part of it
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15. Reading for Supporting Details
Supporting details explain or develop the main idea. The types of details used by writers depend on the writing assignment.
Writing Assignments
Types of Details*
Narrative texts
explanations, descriptions, reasons, reflections
Expository texts
facts and statistics, explanations, examples, analysis
Argumentation texts
facts and statistics, explanations, examples, reasons, quotations, analysis
*When you’re reading, always consider whether the details provided are accurate or trustworthy.
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16. Choosing Supporting Details in Writing
Planning a writing assignment involves:
Selecting a topic
Gathering details about it
Choosing a focus or main idea for your writing. For a paragraph, the main idea is in the topic sentence. For a longer work, the main idea is in the thesis statement.
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17. Closing a Paragraph
A closing sentence in a paragraph makes a final statement about the topic. Think of the closing sentence as an effective bookend that explains the ideas given in the topic sentence. ]
Supporting Details
Topic Sentence
Closing Sentence

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Closing Activity
Use what you have learned about the parts of a paragraph to write a narrative or descriptive paragraph. After you have written your paragraph:
Circle the topic sentence.
Underline the closing sentence.
Create a list of the types of supporting details you used.
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