Overcoming a challenge: writing a paragraph and a check-up
A good paragraph has three parts. The topic sentence comes first and tells the main idea: One challenge I faced was my first sports day. Then come two to four supporting sentences with details, examples and feelings. Use linking words: for example, then, also, because. The last part is the concluding sentence, which closes the idea: In the end, I learned that trying is more important than winning. Use the past simple for what happened and the past continuous for what was in progress. A paragraph for this lesson is about 60 to 80 words (up to 100 if you can). Choose a small challenge and an invented or personal story. Keep private or sad family details out of it.
| Part | Job | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Topic sentence | main idea | One challenge I faced was my first sports day. |
| Supporting sentences | details, examples | I was nervous because … For example, my hands were shaking. |
| Concluding sentence | closing idea | In the end, I learned that trying matters. |
One challenge I faced was my first school sports day. I was nervous because I had to run in front of the whole school. While I was waiting at the start, my hands were shaking. Then I took a deep breath and thought about my practice. Also, my friends were shouting kind words. Although I finished third, I felt proud. In the end, I learned that trying is more important than winning.
Paragraph plan. Plan a paragraph with a grown-up: a topic sentence, three supporting sentences (a feeling, an event with while or when, a linking word) and a concluding sentence. Write it in 60 to 80 words (up to 100 if you can). Read it aloud and check the verbs.