1. Topic Sentences and Linking Paragraphs There a several ways to organise a paragraph. One is to use a topic sentence. This opening sentence will alert the reader to the content of the paragraph.

2. Topic Sentence Basketball is a sport that is growing in popularity all over the world. What is the paragraph going to be about? The topic sentence is short, clear and concise. It is a kind of launch pad for the rest of the paragraph.

3. The Paragraph Basketball is a sport that is growing in popularity all over the world. It has always been extremely popular in the United States where professional teams are watched by millions of fans. However, the game is now becoming “big” in many other countries.

4. Rounding off the paragraph The closing sentence of a paragraph needs to round off this element of the subject and perhaps introduce another aspect of the topic that might be continued in the next paragraph. Basketball is usually seen as a male sport, whereas netball is usually viewed as a sport dominated by women, although both sports are very similar.

5. Paragraph Structure  Open with a topic sentence.  Develop the point made in the topic sentence.  Use a closing sentence that rounds off the paragraph and perhaps points the way to the next topic.

6. Linking between paragraphs Paragraphs within a continuous piece of writing need to be linked together for text continuity. There should be a logical development from paragraph to paragraph: one paragraph topic should flow into the next paragraph topic. To help this it is essential to use linking words and phrases.

7. Linking words and phrases However, in addition, but, this, nevertheless in contrast, equally, another factor, consequently, therefore, unfortunately, fortunately, similarly, despite this fact, yet, thus, in conclusion …

8. Write a topic sentence on … o Computer games o Soap operas o Giving to Charity o Keeping Pets o Saturday morning o Winter sports.

9. Topic Sentences Computer games were introduced to the world in the 1980’s and have grown to reach out to everyone. Soap operas are very dramatic around Christmas. Giving to charity helps people all over the world. Keeping pets can be hard but also easy: it all depends on which pet you have.

10. Add three linked sentences to the topic sentences below  Homework is a necessary part of school life.  Money is certainly not “the root of all evil”.  Girls and boys should have the same job opportunities.

11. Copy down the following notes which have been divided into three sections. Using these notes, write three linked paragraphs. Link the paragraphs together using linking words and phrases. rock and pop music industry big business rock and pop music industry big business generates an incredible amount of money world-wide generates an incredible amount of money world-wide star performers make a great deal of money star performers make a great deal of money Record companies and concert promoters make lots of money Record companies and concert promoters make lots of money music industry not without its critics music industry not without its critics stories of performers being cheated out of earnings stories of performers being cheated out of earnings some unscrupulous producers and agents some unscrupulous producers and agents vast sums of money difficult to keep track of vast sums of money difficult to keep track of performers need good advice and protection performers need good advice and protection constant care over accounts needed constant care over accounts needed fans can also be cheated by inflated ticket prices fans can also be cheated by inflated ticket prices fans often treated badly and have only a distant view of their heroes fans often treated badly and have only a distant view of their heroes interests of performers and fans should merge for fair deal for all interests of performers and fans should merge for fair deal for all