第 1 單元，第 1 課
Paragraphs and Topic Sentences段落與主題句
這課一眼看
A paragraph and its parts段落與它的組成
- paragraph段落: A group of sentences that develop one idea.
- topic主題: What a paragraph is about, said in a few words.
- main idea主旨: The writer's point about the topic, said in a full sentence.
- topic sentence主題句: The sentence that states the topic and main idea; usually first.
- supporting sentence支持句: A sentence that explains the main idea with a reason, example, or fact.
- concluding sentence結論句: The last sentence; it ends the paragraph.
- detail細節: A specific piece of information that supports the main idea.
The topic sentence主題句
- controlling idea控制概念: The writer's special point or limit inside the topic sentence.
- statement直述句: A sentence that tells something, not a question or a command.
- announcement宣告: A sentence that only says what the writer will write about.
- fact事實: Information that can be checked and is true.
- general / specific: Too wide to develop / small enough to be a single detail.
- narrow縮小範圍: Make the topic smaller by adding limits.
Using the topic sentence運用主題句
- indent縮排: Start the first line a few spaces to the right.
- signal word信號詞: A word in the topic sentence that shows what the paragraph will do.
1A paragraph and its parts段落與它的組成
AOne paragraph, one main idea一個段落，一個主旨
- A paragraph is a set of connected sentences built around one idea. The subject of the paragraph is its topic, which you can say in a few words: “bike-sharing in Taipei” or “weekend hiking”. What the writer wants to say about that topic is the main idea, and the main idea needs a full sentence: Bike-sharing is a cheap and fast way to cross the city.段落（paragraph）是一組共同發展一個想法的句子。段落談的對象是主題（topic），用幾個字就能說出來，例如「台北的共享單車」或「週末健行」。作者想對這個主題表達的看法則是主旨（main idea），主旨需要一個完整的句子：Bike-sharing is a cheap and fast way to cross the city.（共享單車是穿越市區又便宜又快的方式。）
- At this level, a paragraph usually has about six to twelve sentences. The number is not a rule; the focus is. When your next sentence is about a different main idea, start a new paragraph. A reader should be able to finish a paragraph and say in one sentence what it was about.在這個程度，一個段落通常有六到十二句左右。句數不是規定，集中才是。當你的下一句要談不同的主旨時，就該另起一段。讀者讀完一段之後，應該能用一句話說出它在講什麼。
Topic and main idea主題與主旨
| Topic主題 | Main idea主旨 | What the reader expects讀者期待讀到什麼 |
|---|---|---|
| bike-sharing in Taipei台北的共享單車 | Bike-sharing is a cheap and fast way to cross the city.共享單車是穿越市區又便宜又快的方式。 | Details about cost and speed關於費用和速度的細節 |
| board games桌遊 | Board games help friends talk face to face.桌遊讓朋友面對面聊天。 | Examples of how games start conversations遊戲如何帶出對話的例子 |
| typhoon days颱風假 | A typhoon day teaches a family to be ready for trouble.颱風假讓一家人學會為麻煩做好準備。 | Steps a family takes before a storm家人在風雨來之前做的事 |
注意
A topic is not a main idea. “My grandmother's garden” is a topic; it does not say anything yet. Some Chinese writing patterns add a “turn” to a new angle near the end, but an English paragraph stays on the same main idea from the first sentence to the last.主題不等於主旨。“My grandmother's garden”（我奶奶的花園）只是主題，還沒有說出任何看法。有些中文寫作模式會在後半段「轉」到新的角度，但英文段落從第一句到最後一句都停留在同一個主旨上。
自我檢查
Read the sentences and give the topic and the main idea. “Our school bakery sells out by 8:00. Students line up before the bell rings. The cream buns are gone first, and the staff must bake a second batch.”讀下面的句子，說出主題和主旨。“Our school bakery sells out by 8:00. Students line up before the bell rings. The cream buns are gone first, and the staff must bake a second batch.”
看答案
Topic: the school bakery. Main idea: the bakery is so popular that its food sells out very early in the morning.主題：學校的麵包店。主旨：這家麵包店太受歡迎，早上很早食物就賣完了。
BThe three parts of a paragraph段落的三個部分
- A paragraph in school writing has three parts. The topic sentence states the topic and the main idea, usually in the first sentence. The supporting sentences that follow explain the main idea with reasons, examples, and other details. The concluding sentence comes last and brings the paragraph to a clear end.學校寫作中的段落有三個部分。主題句（topic sentence）說出主題和主旨，通常是第一句。接下來的支持句（supporting sentences）用理由、例子和其他細節（details）說明主旨。結論句（concluding sentence）放在最後，讓段落清楚收尾。
- (1) The riverside bike path is the best place in our city to start a weekend. (2) Early on Saturday, the air is cool, and only a few joggers are out. (3) Rental stands near the bridge charge less than the price of a bubble tea, so anyone can ride without owning a bike. (4) The flat path runs for more than ten kilometers, which suits beginners as well as strong riders. (5) Along the way, shady rest areas let families eat breakfast from nearby shops. (6) Photographers also gather at the water's edge to catch the sunrise over the hills. (7) For all these reasons, the path gives us a healthy, cheap, and beautiful beginning to the weekend.（1）河濱自行車道是我們這座城市開始週末的最佳地點。（2）星期六一大早，空氣涼爽，只有幾位慢跑的人。（3）橋邊的租車站收費比一杯珍奶還便宜，所以不必自己有車也能騎。（4）平坦的車道長達十公里以上，新手和體力好的騎士都適合。（5）沿途有樹蔭下的休息區，家人可以吃附近店家買來的早餐。（6）攝影愛好者也會聚集在水邊，拍攝山頭上的日出。（7）基於這些原因，這條車道讓我們用健康、便宜又美麗的方式展開週末。
The model paragraph, part by part範例段落逐句標示
| Sentence句子 | Part部分 | What it does作用 |
|---|---|---|
| 11 | Topic sentence主題句 | Names the topic (the riverside path) and the main idea (the best place to start a weekend)說出主題（河濱車道）和主旨（開始週末的最佳地點） |
| 22 | Supporting sentence支持句 | A detail about the quiet morning關於安靜早晨的細節 |
| 33 | Supporting sentence支持句 | A reason about low cost關於便宜的理由 |
| 44 | Supporting sentence支持句 | A fact about the length and the flat ground關於長度與平坦路面的事實 |
| 5-65-6 | Supporting sentences支持句 | Details about rest areas and scenery關於休息區和風景的細節 |
| 77 | Concluding sentence結論句 | Restates the main idea in new words用新的說法再說一次主旨 |
注意
Every supporting sentence gives new information: quiet air, low cost, length, rest areas, scenery. A sentence that only says the path is nice again would repeat the topic sentence without helping the reader.每一句支持句都提供新的資訊：安靜的空氣、低價、長度、休息區、風景。如果某句只是再說一次「這條車道很棒」，就只是重複主題句，對讀者沒有幫助。
自我檢查
Which sentence in the model paragraph gives a reason about money, and what part of the paragraph is it?範例段落中，哪一句提出和錢有關的理由？它是段落的哪一部分？
看答案
Sentence 3 (rental stands charge less than a bubble tea). It is a supporting sentence.第 3 句（租車站收費比一杯珍奶便宜）。它是支持句。
2The topic sentence主題句
AThe topic and the controlling idea主題與控制概念
- A topic sentence has two jobs. It names the topic, and it adds a controlling idea: the writer's special point, limit, or angle about the topic. In Learning to cook helps teenagers become independent, the topic is learning to cook, and the controlling idea is “helps teenagers become independent”.主題句有兩個任務：說出主題，並加上控制概念（controlling idea），也就是作者針對這個主題提出的特別看法、限制或角度。在 Learning to cook helps teenagers become independent 這句裡，主題是學煮菜，控制概念是「幫助青少年變得獨立」。
- The controlling idea controls the rest of the paragraph. The same topic with a different controlling idea gives a different paragraph: Hiking in the mountains is good exercise / Hiking in the mountains costs very little / Hiking in the mountains can be dangerous after rain.控制概念會控制整個段落接下來能寫什麼。同一個主題搭配不同的控制概念，就會寫出不同的段落：Hiking in the mountains is good exercise（是很好的運動）／costs very little（花費很少）／can be dangerous after rain（下雨後可能很危險）。
Finding the topic and the controlling idea找出主題與控制概念
| Topic sentence主題句 | Topic主題 | Controlling idea控制概念 | The paragraph will explain段落要說明的是 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking in the mountains is good exercise.爬山是很好的運動。 | hiking in the mountains爬山 | is good exercise是很好的運動 | How hiking trains the body爬山如何鍛鍊身體 |
| Hiking in the mountains costs very little.爬山花費很少。 | hiking in the mountains爬山 | costs very little花費很少 | What you do and do not need to pay for哪些東西要花錢、哪些不用 |
| Our school canteen offers three healthy choices.我們學校餐廳有三種健康的選擇。 | our school canteen學校餐廳 | three healthy choices三種健康的選擇 | Three specific meals三種具體的餐點 |
| Group chats can make friendships harder to manage.群組聊天可能讓友誼更難經營。 | group chats群組聊天 | make friendships harder to manage讓友誼更難經營 | Problems caused by group chats群組聊天造成的問題 |
注意
Do not stop at the topic. I like hiking has a topic but no controlling idea that the writer can develop, because it only reports a feeling. A sentence such as Hiking helps me relax after a stressful week gives the paragraph a direction.不要只寫出主題。I like hiking 只有主題，沒有可以發展的控制概念，因為它只是報告一種喜好。像 Hiking helps me relax after a stressful week（健行幫助我在忙碌一週後放鬆）這樣的句子，才給段落一個方向。
自我檢查
Find the topic and the controlling idea: “Playing board games with classmates teaches teenagers how to lose politely.”找出主題和控制概念：“Playing board games with classmates teaches teenagers how to lose politely.”
看答案
Topic: playing board games with classmates. Controlling idea: teaches teenagers how to lose politely.主題：和同學玩桌遊。控制概念：教青少年如何有風度地輸。
BFeatures of a good topic sentence好主題句的條件
- A good topic sentence is a complete statement: it contains a subject plus a verb and gives the reader a message. It is not a question, a title, or a fragment. It states the point directly instead of making an announcement such as “I am going to write about school lunch”. And it is more than a plain fact that nobody could discuss, such as “Taipei 101 has 101 floors”.好的主題句是完整的直述句（statement）：有主詞和動詞，並告訴讀者一些事。它不是問句、標題或片段句。它直接說出看法，而不是像「我要寫學校午餐」那樣宣告（announcement）。它也不只是沒人能討論的單純事實（fact），例如「台北 101 有 101 層」。
Four common problems and their repairs四種常見問題與修正
| Problem問題 | Weak example較弱的例子 | Why it is weak為什麼弱 | Better version較好的版本 |
|---|---|---|---|
| A question問句 | Why do students need sleep?學生為什麼需要睡眠？ | It asks but does not answer.只有提問，沒有回答。 | Students need nine hours of sleep to learn well.學生需要九小時的睡眠才能學得好。 |
| An announcement宣告 | This paragraph is about school lunch.這段是關於學校午餐。 | It names a plan, not a point.只說出計畫，沒有看法。 | School lunch is good value for most families.學校午餐對多數家庭來說很划算。 |
| A plain fact單純的事實 | Taipei 101 has 101 floors.台北 101 有 101 層。 | There is nothing to explain.沒有可說明的內容。 | Taipei 101 is a good first stop for visitors who want to understand the city.台北 101 是想認識這座城市的遊客的好起點。 |
| A fragment片段句 | The benefits of morning exercise.晨間運動的好處。 | It has no verb.沒有動詞。 | Morning exercise has several benefits for students.晨間運動對學生有好幾項好處。 |
注意
Many students open with a question because it feels natural in speaking. In a paragraph, the first sentence should be a statement, because the reader needs the main idea at once. You can still use a question inside the paragraph, but not as the topic sentence.很多學生喜歡用問句開頭，因為口說時很自然。但在段落裡，第一句應該是直述句，因為讀者需要立刻知道主旨。問句可以放在段落中間，但不要當成主題句。
自我檢查
Which sentence is the best topic sentence? (a) What is your favorite sport? (b) Volleyball teaches teamwork better than any other school sport. (c) I will tell you about volleyball.哪一句是最好的主題句？(a) What is your favorite sport? (b) Volleyball teaches teamwork better than any other school sport. (c) I will tell you about volleyball.
看答案
Sentence (b). It is a complete statement with a clear controlling idea. (a) is a question and (c) is an announcement.(b)。它是完整的直述句，而且控制概念清楚。(a) 是問句，(c) 是宣告。
CNot too general, not too specific不要太籠統，也不要太具體
- A topic sentence that is too general, such as “Technology is useful”, could be the title of a book. You would not know where to start. A sentence that is too specific, such as “My map app has a blue icon”, leaves no room for supporting sentences. The best topic sentence is wide enough to hold several supporting sentences and small enough to finish in one paragraph.太籠統（general）的主題句，例如「科技很有用」，可以當一本書的書名，你不知道該從哪裡寫起。太具體（specific）的句子，例如「我的地圖 App 圖示是藍色的」，則沒有空間容納支持句。最好的主題句要夠寬，能容納好幾句支持句；又要夠小，能在一段內寫完。
- To narrow a general sentence, add limits: a group of people, a place, a time, or one aspect of the topic. Ask yourself Who? Where? When? or Which part?要縮小（narrow）太籠統的句子，就加上限制：一群人、一個地方、一段時間，或主題的某一個面向。問自己：誰？在哪裡？什麼時候？哪一部分？
Narrowing a topic sentence縮小主題句的範圍
| Too general太籠統 | Limit added加上的限制 | Just right剛剛好 | Too specific太具體 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology is useful.科技很有用。 | a group + one aspect一群人＋一個面向 | Online maps help new MRT riders find the fastest route.線上地圖幫助剛開始搭捷運的人找到最快的路線。 | The map app has a blue icon.這個地圖 App 的圖示是藍色的。 |
| Sports are good.運動很好。 | a place + one aspect一個地方＋一個面向 | Joining a school team teaches students how to handle losing.參加校隊教學生如何面對輸球。 | Our team lost 3-1 on Monday.我們隊星期一以 3 比 1 輸了。 |
| Food is important in Taiwan.食物在台灣很重要。 | a group + one aspect一群人＋一個面向 | Sharing food is how many Taiwanese families show they care.分享食物是許多台灣家庭表達關心的方式。 | My aunt cooks on Sundays.我阿姨星期天煮飯。 |
注意
A too-specific sentence is not useless. It can become a supporting sentence. “Our team lost 3-1 on Monday” could be an example inside a paragraph about handling losing.太具體的句子不是沒用，它可以變成支持句。“Our team lost 3-1 on Monday” 就可以當作「如何面對輸球」那一段裡的例子。
自我檢查
Narrow this topic sentence so that it fits one paragraph: “Pets are good.”把這個主題句縮小到一段寫得完的範圍：“Pets are good.”
看答案
Sample answer: A cat can teach a young child to be gentle and responsible. (Any sentence that limits who, where, or which aspect is correct.)參考答案：A cat can teach a young child to be gentle and responsible.（一隻貓可以教小孩溫柔和負責。）只要加上了誰、哪裡或哪一個面向的限制，都算正確。
3Using the topic sentence運用主題句
APosition and indentation位置與縮排
- In most school paragraphs, the topic sentence is the first sentence. This helps the reader see the main idea at once and helps the writer stay on track. When you write the first line, indent it: begin a little to the right of the other lines, about five spaces or one press of the Tab key (roughly 1.3 cm).在大多數學校段落裡，主題句就是第一句。這樣讀者一眼就看出主旨，作者也比較不容易離題。寫第一行時要縮排（indent）：比其他行稍微往右開始，大約五個空格或按一次 Tab 鍵（約 1.3 公分）。
Paragraph format段落格式
| Format point格式項目 | Correct正確 | Common mistake常見錯誤 |
|---|---|---|
| First line第一行 | Indented once縮排一次 | No indent, or every line indented沒有縮排，或每一行都縮排 |
| Later sentences之後的句子 | Continue on the same line after the end mark接在句末標點後面，寫在同一行 | A new line for every sentence每一句都換新行 |
| Between sentences句子之間 | One space空一格 | A blank line or no space空一整行，或完全沒有空格 |
| Starting the next paragraph開始下一段 | Start a new line and indent again換行並再縮排一次 | Keep writing on the same line接著同一行繼續寫 |
| Marks in front句子前的符號 | None不加任何符號 | Numbers or bullet points before sentences句子前加編號或項目符號 |
注意
In Chinese, a paragraph usually begins with two blank character spaces. In English, the indent is a bit wider, about five spaces. Some websites and emails use a blank line instead of an indent, but in school paragraphs, follow your teacher's format.中文段落通常以空兩格開頭；英文的縮排比較寬，大約五個空格。有些網站和電子郵件用空一行代替縮排，但學校的段落作業請依老師要求的格式。
自我檢查
A student types her paragraph with every sentence on its own line and no indent. What two changes does she need?一位學生把段落打成每句各占一行，而且沒有縮排。她需要做哪兩項修改？
看答案
She should indent the first line, and she should join the sentences so that each one continues on the same line after the end mark of the one before.她應該把第一行縮排，並把句子接起來，讓每一句都緊接在前一句的句末標點後面、寫在同一行。
BWhat the topic sentence promises主題句對讀者的承諾
- A topic sentence makes a promise, and the rest of the paragraph must keep it. Some words in the sentence work as signal words: they tell the reader what kind of paragraph is coming. If the topic sentence says three, the reader waits for three. If it says easier than, the reader waits for a comparison.主題句會對讀者做出承諾，段落其餘的部分必須兌現。句子中有些字是信號詞（signal words）：它們告訴讀者接下來是哪一種段落。如果主題句說了三個，讀者就等著看三個；如果說了 easier than，讀者就等著看比較。
Signals in topic sentences主題句中的信號
| Signal in the sentence句中的信號 | The reader expects讀者期待 | Example例句 |
|---|---|---|
| a number: two, three, several數字：two、three、several | That many items, one by one一項一項，數目相符 | There are three simple ways to save electricity at home.在家節電有三個簡單的方法。 |
| easier than, better thaneasier than、better than | A comparison of two things兩件事的比較 | Cooking at home is cheaper than eating out every day.在家煮飯比每天外食便宜。 |
| because, the reasonbecause、the reason | Causes or reasons原因或理由 | Many students are tired because they sleep too late.許多學生很累，是因為太晚睡。 |
| the most + adjectivethe most＋形容詞 | Reasons or examples that prove it證明它的理由或例子 | The library is the most useful room in our school.圖書館是我們學校最有用的空間。 |
| how to, stepshow to、steps | Instructions in order依序排列的做法 | Making a good cup of tea takes four careful steps.泡好一杯茶需要四個仔細的步驟。 |
注意
Do not promise more than you deliver. A topic sentence with three ways followed by only two ways breaks the promise. Also avoid a number you do not need: if you are not sure how many ideas you will write, use a controlling idea without a number.不要承諾得比你寫出來的多。主題句說了三個方法，後面卻只寫兩個，就是違背承諾。也不要用不必要的數字：如果你還不確定會寫幾個想法，控制概念就不要放數字。
自我檢查
What should a paragraph with this topic sentence contain? “There are three simple ways to save electricity at home.” Then say what is wrong if the paragraph gives only one way.有這個主題句的段落應該包含什麼？“There are three simple ways to save electricity at home.” 然後說明如果段落只寫了一個方法，哪裡有問題。
看答案
It should explain three different ways to save electricity, one after another. If it gives only one way, it breaks the promise made by the number three.它應該一個接一個說明三個不同的節電方法。如果只寫一個方法，就違背了「三個」這個數字所做的承諾。
這課的重點字
- paragraph段落
- topic主題
- main idea主旨
- topic sentence主題句
- supporting sentence支持句
- concluding sentence結論句
- detail細節
- controlling idea控制概念