Supporting and Concluding Sentences

Unit Overview

The objective of this learning module is to enable you to effectively formulate supporting and concluding sentences within a cohesive paragraph structure, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of these key elements of paragraph construction. The unit will emphasize using pronouns to replace key nouns for clarity and variety in your writing. You will also be trained to avoid common sentence errors, including sentence fragments, run-on sentences, and comma splices, thus improving sentence construction and overall writing fluency. You will enhance their ability to deliver well-structured, clear, and grammatically correct written communication by mastering these skills.

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What are Supporting Sentences?

Supporting sentences are crucial in providing information that clarifies and elaborates on the topic sentence. They serve as the paragraph's backbone, offering specific details and addressing important questions like Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How? Skillful writers carefully consider these answers while composing their text.

It's important to remember that the controlling idea presented in the topic sentence acts as a guiding force, shaping the content of your supporting sentences.

What do Supporting Sentences Do?

Supporting sentences serve various purposes, and writers utilize them to achieve one or more of the following goals:

· Explanation: At age 10, her family relocated from their farm due to economic factors.

· Description: Their residence was a stunning three-story castle in the forest’s heart.

· Reasons: Challenging working conditions drive certain individuals to resign.

· Facts: Over 10 percent of this university's student body comprises international students.

· Examples: For instance, California is renowned for being the leading producer of peaches, grapes, and strawberries.

· Definition: Gumbo is a thick soup containing seafood and meat, typically served over rice.

Key Note: Staying on Track

While writing a paragraph, it's essential to refer back to your topic sentence consistently. Avoid including any information that isn't directly related to the topic sentence. Failure to do so can lead to losing focus on the main idea. To maintain clarity, periodically ask yourself questions about the topic sentence after completing the paragraph. This approach will help you identify which content should be retained and what should be removed from the paragraph.

Avoid Unrelated Information

Sometimes, writers provide information that is not closely connected to the topic. When this occurs, the paragraph loses its coherence, leading to potential confusion regarding the writer's intended message. To ensure a smooth and coherent flow, each sentence in a paragraph should be closely linked to the controlling idea or ideas presented in the topic sentence.

Let’s Practice

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Understanding Grammar: Pronouns Instead of Key Nouns

Since a paragraph focuses on a single topic, writers frequently reiterate essential nouns from the topic sentence in their supporting sentences. However, excessive repetition of these nouns can make the writing awkward. To avoid this, you can use pronouns instead.

It is essential to use the appropriate singular or plural pronoun corresponding to the noun it replaces.

Explanation	Examples
Pronouns take the place of a person, place, or thing. Mark à He New York Cityà It Dogs à They	New York City is one of the best cities to visit on the United States East Coast. It has some of the most interesting tourist spots in the country. One of the people I most admire is my grandfather. He came to the United States from Italy in 1911.
Remember to be consistent. If you use they at the beginning of a paragraph, do not switch to it.	Elephants are among the most interesting of all the animals that live in Africa. Their special features easily recognize them.

Let’s Practice

Click on the image below to complete a learning activity on pronouns.

Username

masloski7511

Password

lemon6753

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Understanding Grammar: Avoiding Fragments

A sentence fragment is NOT a complete sentence.

It is:

· without a subject, a verb, or both

· a dependent clause, which is never a complete sentence

o Example: I went to France last summer. Was a fantastic trip. (X)

o Example: Student do not often major in art. Because they worry about job opportunities. (X)

To correct a sentence fragment:

· add a subject or verb

· combine two clauses with a connector

o Example: I went to Italy last summer. It was a wonderful trip. (✓)

o Example: Students do not often major in art because they worry about job opportunities. (✓)

Let’s Practice

Click on the image to complete a learning activity on sentence fragments.

Username

masloski7511

Password

lemon6753

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Understanding Grammar: Avoiding Run-On Sentences and Comma Splices

A run-on sentence occurs when two independent clauses (complete sentences) are combined without proper punctuation or a conjunction.

To rectify a run-on sentence:

· separate the sentences into two with end punctuation

· add a connector

o Example: I went to France I did not visit Paris. (X)

o Example: I went to France. I did not visit Paris. (✓)

o Example: I went to France, but I did not visit Paris. (✓)

o Example: Though I went to France, I did not visit Paris. (✓)

A comma splice happens when a comma incorrectly separates two independent clauses.

To correct a comma splice:

· add a connecting word or phrase after the comma

· create two sentences from the one

o Example: I went to France, last summer, it was a great trip. (X)

o Example: I went to France last summer, and it was a great trip. (✓)

o Example: I went to France last summer. It was a great trip. (✓)

Let’s Practice

Click on the image to complete a learning activity on run-on sentences.

Username

masloski7511

Password

lemon6753

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What is a Concluding Sentence?

The concluding sentence is the final sentence of a paragraph, bringing it to a close and signaling to the reader that the discussion related to the topic sentence is complete.

A concluding sentence typically serves one or more of the following four purposes:

1. Restating the main idea: Summarizing the main idea or points discussed in the paragraph reinforces the core message. It may convey a similar thought as the topic sentence but in different wording.

2. Offering a suggestion: The concluding sentence may provide readers with advice or recommendations on what they should consider or do in relation to the topic.

3. Expressing an opinion: The writer can share their thoughts or beliefs, providing a subjective viewpoint.

4. Making a prediction: The concluding sentence might speculate about future possibilities or outcomes related to the topic, giving readers insights into what may happen.

The following are transitional words and phrases commonly used at the beginning of a concluding sentence. There is usually a comma after the transitional word or phrase.

As a result, Certainly, In conclusion

Clearly, Overall, Because of this,

Therefore, Thus, For this reason,

Surely, For these reasons, In brief,

Let’s Practice

Click on the image to complete a learning activity on commas.

Username

masloski7511

Password

lemon6753

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Building Better Vocabulary

· Construction

· The process or act of building something, often large scale.

· Continents

· Any of the world's main continuous expanses of land (Africa, Antarctica, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, South America).

· Destination

· The place to which someone or something is going or being sent.

· Due to

· Because of; owing to.

· Laundry

· Clothes and linens that need to be washed or that have been newly washed.

· Opportunities

· A set of circumstances that makes it possible to do something.

· Options

· Things that are or can be chosen; the freedom, power, or right to choose something.

· Shallow

· Of little depth; not extending far downward.

· Surround

· Be all around (someone or something).

· Survive

·Continue to live or exist, especially in spite of danger or hardship.