Practice: 

Look at the following paragraphs, and identify their structure.  What is the topic sentence? What are the supporting ideas?  What are the examples?

Also, in each paragraph, there is one mistake.  Namely, there is one sentence which does not relate to the topic, and should not be in that paragraph.  Underline the misplaced sentences.  Then check your answer with a partner.

Paragraph A

        I don’t want to have kids.  For one thing, having kids costs a lot of money.  For example in the United States, people say it costs $245,340 to raise a child for 18 years.  For another thing, taking care of a child is a lot of hard work.  You have to cook their food, buy their clothes, take them to school, and more.  I also don’t want to get a dog, because taking care of a dog is hard work.  Finally, kids are just loud and annoying. For all these reasons, the idea of having kids is not attractive to me.

Topic Sentence:

        First Supporting Idea:

                Example:

        Second Supporting Idea:

                Example:

        Third Supporting Idea: 

                Example:

Concluding Sentence

Misplaced sentence: 

Paragraph B

        There are many reasons why you should walk to work instead of drive.  First of all, it is cheaper, because you don’t have to pay for gasoline.  An average American can save $500 walking to work.  Second of all, it’s much healthier.  You can get exercise every day while you walk.  Finally, and most importantly, it’s good for the environment.  But if it rains, then it’s not so convenient.  For all of these reasons, we should walk as much as possible.

Topic Sentence:

        First Supporting Idea:

                Example:

        Second Supporting Idea:

                Example:

        Third Supporting Idea: 

                Example:

Concluding Sentence:

Misplaced sentence:

Paragraph C

         There are many advantages to using the Internet.  For starters, it is a great way to keep up on the news.  Many news organizations, such as CNN, and BBC, have their own websites.  Secondly, the Internet is great for keeping in touch with friends.  I use websites such as Facebook to contact my old friends daily.  Finally, the Internet is great for entertainment.  There are lots of videos, comics, and stories that you can read online for free.  But if you use the Internet too much, it will hurt your eyes.  As we have seen, the Internet has many good points.

Topic Sentence:

        First Supporting Idea:

                Example:

        Second Supporting Idea:

                Example:

        Third Supporting Idea: 

                Example:

Concluding Sentence:

Misplaced sentence: