6.4 Sentences and Paragraphs

Day 1 – Topic Sentences 總領句

What Is A Sentence?　甚麼是句子？

What does it take to make a sentence? 

 A sentence has (at least) three things:　句子是由三部份組成的：

1.   a subject:  which is what we are talking about, usually a noun or pronoun

主語:我們談論的,通常是一個名詞或者代名詞.

2.   a verb:  which explains that the subject does something or is something, and

動詞:告訴我們主語做什麽或者主語是什麽／是怎麼樣

meaning:  which allows the sentence to stand alone, as an independent clause.

意思: 可以自己獨立成理的

This is a sentence:     He swam.

                   He is the subject.      Swam is the verb.

The following are not sentences, even though each has a subject and verb:

以下的不是句子, 雖然它們都有主語和動詞, 但意思上卻不能夠獨立成句

                   Because he swam

                   When he swam

                   He swimming

Of course, most sentences we speak or write have more than just a subject and verb, but to be complete, a sentence must have at least a subject and a verb and be able to stand alone.

當然,大多數我們講或者寫的句子不止一個主語和動詞,但是爲了完整,一個句子必須要至少有一個主語和動詞,能够獨立的表達.

What is a paragraph?

A paragraph is a collection of related sentences relating to a single topic.

一個段落是一堆相關句子, 談論的是屬於同一個題目.

To make sure you write a good story or essay, you need to make sure your sentences are good and are relevant to the topic of each paragraph.

要寫一個好的故事或者一篇好的文章,你需要確定句子寫得好,幷且要和段落題目要一致.

 Every paragraph needs a topic sentence. The topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the paragraph. It gives the reader an idea of what the paragraph is going to be about. 

每個段落都需要一個總領句.總領句通常是一個段落的第一句.它讓讀者知道關于這個段落講的大概內容.

The sentences after the topic sentence need to be about the idea presented in the topic sentence. In a paragraph, every sentence should "belong" to the same topic. 

總領句後面的一句需要進一步介紹總領句的意思.在一個段落中,每個句子都應該屬于這個段落.

Here is an example of a proper paragraph with supporting sentences:

  I had a wonderful summer. I slept in every day. I would then go swimming with my friends. I stayed up late watching TV a lot, and I went to camp for a week. I wished my summer would never end!

What is the topic sentence? (Ask yourself what the paragraph is about.) "I had a wonderful summer" is the topic sentence. Everything else supports that idea. The final sentence is the concluding sentence. It concludes with what the author wants to communicate in the paragraph. "I wished my summer would never end!”

什麽是總領句?”I had a wonderful summer’就是總領句.它包括作者想在段落中寫的內容.”I wished my summer would never end!”

Here is an example of a paragraph that has a sentence that doesn't quite fit in. Try to find it!

“  Regardless of what some people may think, the desert is a beautiful place. The blossoming wildflowers in the spring are a joy to see. Spectacular sunsets delight the eye. Sometimes I go swimming. Sometimes a quail or roadrunner runs across the sandy roads. A holiday in the desert is a unique experience.”

What doesn't belong? "Sometimes I go swimming" has nothing whatsoever to do with the topic sentence that states that the desert is a beautiful place. Get rid of it!