ENGLISH 8

Name of Learner: Grade Level:

Section: Score:

LEARNING ACTIVITY SHEET

COMPOSING EFFECTIVE PARAGRAPHS ILLUSTRATING TEXT TYPES
(QUARTER 4 - WEEK 3)

Background Information for Learners

Paragraph
A paragraph is a group of sentences that fleshes out a single idea. In order for a paragraph to be effective, it
must have a topic sentence, have sentences that support the main idea of that paragraph, and maintain a
consistent flow.
An effective paragraph:
• presents a single idea
• has a topic sentence that makes this single idea evident
• contains support in form of sentences that convey this single idea
• is strategically organized to maintain flow
Essential Elements of an Effective Paragraph
• Unity - In order for a paragraph to maintain a sense of unity, the paragraph must focus solely on a
single idea, point, or argument that is being discussed. Therefore, the paragraph should not begin to
stray and develop new ideas. If you begin to write a sentence that wander from the paragraph’s main
idea, then it is time to start a new paragraph.
• Coherence - is more commonly referred to as the flow of your writing. When a paragraph flows, the
reader will be able to understand the main idea that you have presented. How can you ensure that
your paragraph maintains a flow? Well, after presenting your main idea in your topic sentence, each
sentence following must build upon each other in an organized manner. After writing your paragraph,
go back and read aloud what you have to make sure your ideas are clearly presented. If they are, you
have developed a coherent paragraph!
• Topic sentence is the most important part of your paragraph; it tells the reader its general idea of your
paragraph and should essentially “hook” them into wanting to read more! It helps to provide its
“general summary”. A reader should encounter the topic sentence and have a general idea of what the
paragraph will continue to discuss.
Some well- organized paragraphs do not contain a topic sentence at all. Instead of being directly
stated, the main idea is implied in the content of the paragraph.
Example:
Heaving herself up the stairs, Luela had to pause for breath several times. She let out a
wheeze as she sat down heavily in the wooden rocking chair. Mildred approached her cautiously, as if
she might crumble at the slightest touch. He studied her face, like parchment; stretched across the
bones so finely he could almost see right through the skin to the decaying muscles underneath. Luela
smiled a toothless grin.
• Sufficiently developed. Do not limit yourself to a set number of sentences. Yes, your paragraph
should not be too short or too long, but it should be an appropriate length to flesh out the entirety of
your paragraph’s idea. A reader should not be left with questions after a sufficiently development
paragraph. In order to achieve this, you can provide examples, cite work, provide necessary
definitions, describe, analyze, and organize your ideas.
Understanding the Different Text Types
1. Narrative text . The purpose of a narrative text is to entertain a reader or present a story. A fairy tale
is a narrative text structure. Narrative text structures should be easy to remember because it follows a
story with a beginning, a middle, and an end.

Example:
The one day I spent in Morocco, Africa was an experience of a lifetime. When I finally reached
Morocco and got off the bus, there were four little girls standing shoeless in the hot sun. After I
swallowed my tears, I could not even try to picture this in America as it is not something new you
often see in the U.S. Meanwhile, my tourist guide instructed me not to give them money as it
encouraged the children to beg. However, I was wearing four silver bracelets. As I walked over to the
girls, their eyes watched my every move. Then I knelled down to their level while I gave each girl a
bracelet. They stood there gleaming at me, for they were pleased. I felt completely in disbelief that
this tiny gesture could mean so much. Though this experience was upsetting, and a huge culture
shock, it will stay with me forever. ( Kayla Marie Anfinson 2005)
2. Expository Text. In an expository paragraph, you give information, explain a subject, give directions,
or show how something happens.
Example:
Advances in science and technology had made the use of “green” energy possible in places where
climate conditions permit. People are able to use solar energy or wind energy for power. Solar energy
is the use of sunlight for energy and power. Humans are able to harness the energy of the sun by
installing solar panels on their homes or business. Humans have also found ways to harness the power
of the wind by using wind turbines to capture wind energy. Both of this form of ‘green” energy are
being used more and more.
3. Descriptive Text. Descriptive writing creates an impression in the reader’s mind of an event, a place,
a person or thing. It endeavors to engage all five of the reader’s senses to engage all five of the
readers senses to evoke the sights, sounds, smells tastes, and feel of the text’s subject.
Example:
Not a cloud dots the wide sky. The wind flows easily making the leaves flutter slightly. The acacia
trees are all in bloom, their yellow blossoms falling rain on the brown withered grass. From a
distance, I see soaring kites that break the monotony of the blue sky with their multi- colored hues.
The sea, with its waves, that meet the sky at the horizon, is full of happy swimmers, enjoying the cool
salty water. From the window of the beach house, I enjoy the colorful scenes displayed before my
eyes.
4. Persuasive text. Persuasive writing maybe designed to convince the reader to take your position on a
particular issue or may be designed to convince the reader to take a certain action.
Example:
What would you think if you had to put your personal belongings in a crate, and every time you
turn around something of yours were stolen? That is why I think, students should have lockers. To
protect their things, keep their things somewhere clean, and so they won’t have to complain about
carrying everything at once.

Learning Competency with Code: 

1. Compose effective paragraphs
2. Develop paragraphs that illustrates each text types (narrative in literature, expository, explanatory,
actual and personal recount, persuasive)
Specific Objectives:
Identify text types used in a given text.
Directions:
In order for you to master the desired competency in this session, you are tasked to answer the
following activities to enhance your knowledge and skills. This material is designed to provide you an
experience leading to independent learning of the target competency that will develop your 21 st Century real
life-based skills.

Activity 1Time to Recognize. Identify what text type is being described in each of the following sentences.
Write DESCRIPTIVE, EXPOSITORY, NARRATIVE or PERSUASIVE on a clean sheet of paper.
1. It tells a real or an imaginary story by relating a sequence of event.
2. It enables the reader to see or experience a person, place or thing.
3. It explains an idea, presents information or gives instruction.
4. It states an opinion and uses facts, examples and reasons to convince or urge a reader to action

Activity 2 Time to Codify. Classify each of the following topic sentences as DESCRIPTIVE,
EXPOSITORY, NARRATIVE or PERSUASIVE. Write your answers on a clean sheet of paper.
1. The study room was a catastrophe.
2. There are two main types of whales: baleen whales and toothed whales.
3. Until better sources of energy are found, nuclear power is the answer to our growing energy needs.
4. A leaf is a self-regulating system.
5. For Arnold and Ana Santos, December 7, 1941 began as ordinary as any other day.
6. In the breeze-cooled cabin of Jodi-Lee, daylight seems ages ago.

Activity 3 Time to Write. Complete the graphic organizer so you can write or compose descriptive
paragraph about a person, thing, or place. Then write the final draft on the space provided below the graphic
organizer.
A. Graphic Organizer

RUBRICS
Criteria 5 4 3 2
Topic Sentence The topic sentence The topic sentence The topic There is no topic
is the first sentence gives some clarity sentence gives sentence
in the paragraph. It of the overall little evidence of presented in the
is clear statement of connectivity of the a relevant topic paragraph.
the paragraph sentences in the connecting to the
content. paragraph. other sentences.
Proof of Descriptive Some Some Few
Description words are used descriptive descriptive descriptive
to describe the words are used words are words are
topic and reach to describe the used to used. The
the five senses. topic and describe the setting was
The setting was reach the five five senses. unclear.
clear. senses. The However, the
setting was "sense"
clear. language was
not
developed.
The setting
was not clear.
Organization Paragraph has Your Your Your
good paragraph paragraph paragraph
organization. contained was confusing was hard to
The sentences mostly well to read and read, the
and transitions ordered had limited events were
were well sentences. use of not
structured. The with smooth transitions. organized,
Paragraph was transitions. The events and make
easy to read. jump around little sense.
too much.
Concluding The concluding The concluding The There is no
statement statement is the statement is concluding concluding
last sentence of the last statement is statement at
the paragraph. sentence of the last the end of
It is a clear the paragraph. sentence of the
statement that It is a the paragraph
repeats key somewhat paragraph. It
words from the clear is not a clear
topic sentence. statement that statement and
repeats some does not
key words repeat key
from the topic words from
sentence. the topic
sentence.

B. Final Draft

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References:
https://monmouth.edu
https://intensive intervention.org
https://softschools.com>examples
Persuasive essay examples PDF
Skill Builders for Efficient Reading (pp.138-146)

Answer Key:
Activity 1:1. Narrative 2. Descriptive 3. Expository 4. persuasive
Activity 2:1.descriptive 2. Expository 3. Persuasive 4. Expository 5. Narrative 6.
descriptive
Activity 3: Answers may vary.