Text Practice
Learn
In this lesson, you will practice analyzing paragraphs from real texts to identify their structural elements. Strong readers can recognize how authors organize their ideas, and strong writers use these same techniques in their own work.
Key Concepts
- Paragraph unity: Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main idea expressed in the topic sentence.
- Supporting details: Facts, examples, statistics, quotations, and explanations that develop the main idea.
- Logical order: Details should be arranged in a way that makes sense (chronological, spatial, order of importance, etc.).
- Coherence: Ideas flow smoothly from one sentence to the next using transitions and repetition of key terms.
Types of Supporting Details
| Type | Description | Example Signal Words |
|---|---|---|
| Facts | Verifiable information | Research shows, Studies indicate, According to |
| Examples | Specific instances that illustrate the point | For example, For instance, Such as |
| Statistics | Numerical data | Percent, Average, Most, Majority |
| Quotations | Expert or witness statements | According to, As stated by, Notes that |
| Anecdotes | Brief stories or personal accounts | One time, I remember, Consider the story of |
Examples
Read each paragraph below and identify the structural elements.
Example 1: Informational Paragraph
Sleep is essential for academic success. Research from the National Sleep Foundation shows that students who get eight to ten hours of sleep perform better on tests and have improved memory retention. For example, a study of middle school students found that those who maintained consistent sleep schedules had grade point averages 0.5 points higher than their sleep-deprived peers. Additionally, well-rested students demonstrate better attention spans and are less likely to fall asleep during class. Clearly, prioritizing sleep is one of the most effective strategies students can use to improve their academic performance.
Topic sentence: "Sleep is essential for academic success."
Supporting details:
- Research statistic from National Sleep Foundation
- Example study about middle school students and GPAs
- Additional benefits (attention spans, alertness)
Concluding sentence: "Clearly, prioritizing sleep is one of the most effective strategies..."
Example 2: Narrative Paragraph
The moment I stepped onto the stage, everything changed. My heart pounded so loudly I was certain the audience could hear it. First, I took a deep breath and looked out at the sea of faces. Then, I remembered my teacher's advice: focus on one friendly face. I found my grandmother in the third row, smiling encouragingly. As I began to speak, my voice grew stronger with each word. By the end of my speech, I was no longer afraid. That experience taught me that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act despite it.
Topic sentence: "The moment I stepped onto the stage, everything changed."
Supporting details:
- Sensory detail (heart pounding)
- Sequence of actions (deep breath, looked out, found grandmother)
- Result (voice grew stronger, no longer afraid)
Concluding sentence: "That experience taught me that courage is not the absence of fear..."
Practice
Complete the following exercises to strengthen your paragraph analysis skills.
Practice 1
Read the paragraph and identify the topic sentence.
Many students underestimate the importance of breakfast. Studies consistently show that eating a nutritious morning meal improves concentration and energy levels throughout the school day. Students who skip breakfast often feel tired by mid-morning and have difficulty focusing on complex tasks. In contrast, those who eat balanced breakfasts with protein and whole grains maintain steady energy levels. Making time for breakfast, even if it means waking up ten minutes earlier, is a simple change that can significantly impact academic performance.
Question: Which sentence is the topic sentence?
Practice 2
Identify the type of supporting detail used in each underlined portion.
Technology has transformed how students learn. According to a 2023 survey, 78% of teachers report using digital tools daily in their classrooms. For instance, many schools now use interactive whiteboards that allow students to collaborate on problems in real time. Dr. Maria Chen, an education researcher, states that "digital literacy is now as fundamental as reading and writing." These changes suggest that students today need both traditional and technological skills to succeed.
Question: What type of supporting detail is each underlined section?
Practice 3
The following paragraph is missing its concluding sentence. Write an appropriate concluding sentence.
Recycling is one of the easiest ways individuals can help the environment. When materials like paper, plastic, and glass are recycled, fewer natural resources are needed to create new products. For example, recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees and 7,000 gallons of water. Additionally, recycling reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, where it can take hundreds of years to decompose. Many communities have made recycling convenient by providing curbside pickup services. ___________________________________
Practice 4
Put the following sentences in the correct order to form a coherent paragraph.
- Finally, regular physical activity helps students manage stress and improve their mood.
- Exercise benefits students in multiple ways.
- First, it increases blood flow to the brain, which can improve memory and thinking skills.
- Therefore, schools should ensure students have adequate time for physical activity.
- Second, students who exercise regularly tend to have more energy and better sleep habits.
Practice 5
Read the paragraph and identify which sentence does NOT support the topic sentence and should be removed.
(1) Learning a musical instrument provides numerous benefits for young people. (2) Research shows that music education improves mathematical reasoning and spatial intelligence. (3) My cousin plays the guitar and performs at local coffee shops. (4) Playing an instrument also teaches discipline and perseverance, as students must practice regularly to improve. (5) Furthermore, participating in school bands or orchestras helps students develop teamwork and social skills. (6) These advantages make music education a valuable part of any student's development.
Question: Which sentence should be removed and why?
Practice 6
Read the paragraph and identify the organizational pattern used (chronological, spatial, compare/contrast, cause/effect, or order of importance).
The water cycle continuously moves water around our planet. First, the sun heats water in oceans, lakes, and rivers, causing it to evaporate into water vapor. Next, this vapor rises into the atmosphere and cools, condensing into tiny droplets that form clouds. When enough droplets combine, precipitation falls as rain, snow, sleet, or hail. After reaching the ground, water either soaks into the soil or flows into bodies of water, where the cycle begins again.
Practice 7
Add appropriate transitions to connect the sentences in this paragraph.
Public libraries offer valuable resources to their communities. ___ they provide free access to books, magazines, and digital materials. ___ libraries often host educational programs, from children's story times to adult computer classes. ___ many libraries now offer services like 3D printing, recording studios, and tool lending. ___ these community spaces continue to evolve to meet changing needs.
Practice 8
Evaluate this paragraph's structure. What is strong about it? What could be improved?
Volunteering teaches important life skills. You learn responsibility. Communication skills improve when working with diverse groups. It looks good on college applications. Leadership opportunities often arise. Many volunteers report feeling happier and more connected to their communities.
Practice 9
Write a topic sentence for a paragraph that would include the following supporting details:
- Students can work at their own pace
- Videos can be paused and rewatched
- Learning can happen anytime, anywhere
- Students can focus on areas where they need more help
Practice 10
The following paragraph has weak supporting details. Identify them and explain how they could be strengthened.
Regular reading improves vocabulary. When you read, you see lots of words. Some words are new. Books have many different words in them. Reading more means learning more words. That's why reading is good for vocabulary.
Check Your Understanding
Answer these questions to assess your mastery of paragraph structure analysis.
- What is the purpose of a topic sentence in a paragraph?
- Name three types of supporting details and give an example of when you might use each.
- How can you tell if a paragraph has unity?
- What is the difference between a paragraph that is organized chronologically versus one organized by order of importance?
- Why is the concluding sentence important, and what should it accomplish?
Next Steps
- Review paragraphs in your current reading assignments and identify their structural elements
- Practice identifying topic sentences and supporting details in news articles
- Move on to the next lesson to learn how to apply these skills in your own writing