Paragraph methods

1. TOPIC SENTENCE

1. TOPIC SENTENCE

2. FIRSTLY,

2. FIRSTLY,

3. SECONDLY,

3. SECONDLY,

4. FINALLY,

4. FINALLY,

5. AS A RESULT,

5. FOR EXAMPLE,
Note: The example can be used for either the first, second or
third idea.

(1) I believe that safe driving can be promoted in several different ways that do not punish drivers. (2) Firstly, it is vitally
important to educate people properly before they start to drive, and this could be done in schools or even as part of an
extended or more difficult driving test. (3) Secondly, more attention could be paid to safe road design. (4) For example,
signs can be used to warn people, speed bumps and road bends can be added to calm traffic, and speed cameras can
help to deter people from driving too quickly. (5) Finally, governments or local councils could reduce road accidents by
investing in better public transport, which would mean that fewer people needed to travel by car.
(1) Nuclear power stations have several benefits. (2) Firstly, nuclear power is a relatively sustainable energy source,
meaning that it can be used to produce electricity without wasting limited natural resources like coal, oil or gas. (3)
Secondly, nuclear power stations are cleaner than fossil fuel power stations, and could help to reduce carbon emissions
that cause global warming. (4) Finally, with improvements in nuclear technology, the risk of accidents is being reduced. (5)
As a result, many countries are now considering nuclear power as a solution to high oil and gas prices, increasing demand
for electricity, and worries about pollution and climate change.
You may choose other phrases as connectors rather than firstly, secondly, finally.
(1) There are several reasons why many people find foreign films more enjoyable than the films produced in their own
countries. (2) For one thing, the established film industries in certain countries have huge budgets for action, special effects
and to shoot scenes in spectacular locations. (3) Hollywood blockbusters like Avatar or the James Bond films are
examples of such productions, and their global appeal is undeniable. (4) Another reason why these big-budget films are so
successful is that they often star the most famous actors and actresses, and they are made by the most accomplished
producers and directors. (5) The poor quality, low-budget filmmaking in many countries suffers in comparison.

1. TOPIC SENTENCE

1. TOPIC SENTENCE

2. EXAMPLE

2. EXPLAIN,

3. EXPLAIN

3. EXPLAIN,

4. ALTERNATIVE (if the opposite happens)

4. SUPPORT TWO POINTS ABOVE

5. EXAMPLE

5. EXAMPLE

(1) On the one hand, I agree that money is necessary in order for people to meet their basic needs. (2) For example,
we all need money to pay for housing, food, bills, health care, and education. (3) Most people consider it a priority to at
least earn a salary that allows them to cover these needs and have a reasonable quality of life. (4) If people chose their
jobs based on enjoyment or other non-financial factors, they might find it difficult to support themselves. (5) Artists and

musicians, for instance, are known for choosing a career path that they love, but that does not always provide them with
enough money to live comfortably and raise a family.
(1) On the other hand, school teachers may contribute almost as much as parents to the development of a child. (2)
Teachers educate large groups of children together, which means that they must train pupils to work with their peers and
respect other members of the class. (3) Pupils also learn to behave sensibly in lessons, regardless of the distractions
around them, and to follow instructions given to them by teaching staff. (4) These behavioural skills will be crucial in later
life. (5) In the workplace, for example, adults are expected to work in teams, listen to each other, and follow the instructions
of a manager or company director.
You may use three points to support the main idea in the topic sentence and provide an example for one of them.
(1) In my view, governments should support local film industries financially. (2) In every country, there may be talented
amateur film-makers who just need to be given the opportunity to prove themselves. (3) To compete with big-budget
productions from overseas, these people need money to pay for film crews, actors and a host of other costs related to
producing high-quality films. (4) If governments did help with these costs, they would see an increase in employment in the
film industry, income from film sales, and perhaps even a rise in tourist numbers. (5) New Zealand, for example, has seen
an increase in tourism related to the 'Lord of the Rings' films, which were partly funded by government subsidies.

See the difference:

When you look at a firstly, secondly, finally paragraph, you will notice that the topic sentence always contains
phrases like in several different ways, several benefits, or several reasons why. As for the explanation
paragraph, the topic sentence mentions one main idea (not too narrow nor too broad), and then explanation and
examples are provided to support the main idea in the topic sentence.