Series ID: EDKS-BASIC-ZH-0040 · Lesson No.040 · A1 → A2 Writing
Writing Connected Paragraphs | 写连贯段落
A paragraph is not several correct sentences standing next to each other. The sentences must belong together.
段落不是“几句正确英语排在一起”。这些句子必须共同完成一个中心意思。
A connected paragraph has one clear topic, a logical order, stable reference, useful connectors and an ending that completes the small unit of meaning.
这一课把前面的短信息写作升级成段落写作：从“信息完整”进一步走向“意思连贯”。
Chinese Edition Hub · 中文版入口 · ← Lesson No.039 · Reading Everyday Stories and Articles
The paragraph map | 段落路线
- one topic
- topic sentence
- supporting details
- logical order
- pronoun reference
- connectors
- examples and reasons
- time-frame consistency
- sentence variety
- ending sentence
- unity
- coherence
- draft → check → revise
1. One paragraph, one main job | 一段一个主要任务
A paragraph may:
- describe a place
- tell one event
- explain a routine
- compare two options
- give an opinion with reasons
Do not make one short paragraph do all five.
2. Topic sentence | 主题句
The topic sentence tells the reader what the paragraph will mainly discuss.
I prefer taking the train to work because it is faster and more convenient than the bus.
The rest of the paragraph should support this idea.
3. Supporting sentence | 支撑句
Support can add:
- reason
- example
- detail
- comparison
- result
4. Ending sentence | 结尾句
The ending closes the paragraph without introducing a completely new topic.
For these reasons, the train is usually the best choice for me.
5. Paragraph unity | 段落统一性
Every sentence should help the same main idea.
Topic: travelling to work.
Unrelated sentence: My sister likes cooking.
Even if grammatically correct, it does not belong.
6. Coherence | 连贯性
Coherence means the reader can follow how one sentence leads to the next.
7. Order by time | 按时间排列
- first
- then
- after that
- finally
Useful for stories and procedures.
8. Order by importance | 按重要性排列
Give the strongest reason first or save it for last, but use a deliberate order.
9. Order by space | 按空间排列
For place description:
- entrance
- left side
- centre
- back
10. Order by problem → solution | 问题到解决
- problem
- cause
- attempt
- solution
- result
11. Topic sentence should not be too broad | 主题句不要太大
Too broad:
Transport is important.
Better:
I usually take the train to work because it is the fastest option from my home.
12. Topic sentence should not be only a tiny detail | 也不要太窄
Too narrow:
The train leaves at 8:10.
That may be a detail, not the paragraph’s main idea.
13. Reason support | 原因支撑
- because
- one reason is…
- another reason is…
14. Example support | 例子支撑
- for example
- for instance — recognition
- such as
15. Result support | 结果支撑
- so
- as a result — recognition
16. Contrast support | 转折支撑
- but
- however
- although — recognition/useful
17. Addition support | 补充支撑
- and
- also
- in addition — recognition
18. Do not begin every sentence with “I” | 不要每句都 I 开头
Weak:
I take the train. I like the train. I think the train is fast. I use it every day.
Better:
I usually take the train to work. It is fast, reliable and easy to use. Because the station is near my home, the journey is convenient.
19. Pronoun reference | 代词指代
First mention:
I bought a new laptop.
Later:
It is lighter than my old one.
The reader must know what it refers to.
20. Avoid unclear pronouns | 避免指代不清
Unclear:
Anna spoke to Mei when she arrived.
Who arrived? Anna or Mei? Rewrite if the distinction matters.
21. Repeat the noun when needed | 必要时重复名词
Clarity is more important than avoiding all repetition.
22. This / that for ideas | this/that 指整件事
The train was cancelled. This caused a long delay.
23. Time-frame consistency | 时间框架一致
If you tell a finished past story, keep the main events in past forms.
Weak:
Yesterday I went to town and buy a book.
Better:
Yesterday I went to town and bought a book.
24. Present routine paragraph | 现在习惯段
I usually study English before work. I spend about twenty minutes reviewing old vocabulary and listening to a short recording. This routine is easy to continue because it is short. I often do a longer reading exercise on Sunday.
25. Past-event paragraph | 过去事件段
Last Saturday, I met a friend for lunch. We planned to eat at a café near the station, but it was full. We walked to another place across the road and found a table there. The second café was quieter, so we stayed for two hours.
26. Future-plan paragraph | 未来计划段
Next weekend, I’m going to visit my sister. I’m taking the train on Saturday morning because driving is expensive. We are planning to have lunch together and visit a museum. If the weather is good, we’ll walk home through the park.
27. Opinion paragraph | 观点段
I think short daily practice is better than studying only once a week. First, it is easier to remember vocabulary when you return to it often. Second, a short routine is easier to continue on busy days. For me, twenty minutes every day works better than two hours on Sunday.
28. Comparison paragraph | 比较段
The bus is cheaper than the train, but the train is faster. The bus stop is closer to my home, while the station is a ten-minute walk away. However, I usually choose the train when I have an early meeting because it is more reliable.
29. Description paragraph | 描述段
My favourite room is the small study beside the living room. It has a desk near the window and two bookshelves on the opposite wall. The room is quiet in the evening, so I often read there after dinner.
30. Problem-solution paragraph | 问题解决段
Yesterday I couldn’t open an important file from work. First, I downloaded it again, but the problem continued. Then I asked my colleague to resend the file in another format. The new version opened correctly, so I was able to finish the task.
31. Sentence length | 句子长度
Mix shorter and slightly longer sentences. Do not force every sentence to be complex.
32. Avoid the giant sentence | 避免“一句写到底”
Weak:
I went to the station and the train was late and there were many people and I called my friend and then the train came.
Better: split into controlled sentences.
33. Comma does not replace a full stop | 逗号不能无限代替句号
English does not normally join many complete sentences with commas alone.
34. Full stop | 句号
Use it when one complete idea ends.
35. Comma after opening time phrase | 开头时间短语后的逗号
- Last Saturday, I visited my sister.
- After work, I went to the station.
36. Comma with but | but 前逗号认识
I wanted to take a taxi, but it was too expensive.
At this level, learn common punctuation through models.
37. Draft first, edit second | 先写，再改
Do not stop after every word to perfect the sentence. Complete a small draft first.
38. First edit: meaning | 第一轮检查意思
- Is the topic clear?
- Does every sentence belong?
- Is the order logical?
39. Second edit: grammar | 第二轮检查语法
- verb time
- subject/verb
- articles
- plural nouns
40. Third edit: connections | 第三轮检查连接
- because
- but
- so
- then
- pronouns
41. Fourth edit: surface accuracy | 第四轮检查表面
- capital letters
- full stops
- spelling
42. Planning with four boxes | 四格计划
| Main point | I prefer studying in the morning. |
| Reason 1 | quiet |
| Reason 2 | more energy |
| Example | 20 minutes before work |
Then write the paragraph.
43. Planning a story | 故事计划
- Where/when?
- What happened?
- Problem?
- What did you do?
- Result?
44. Planning a comparison | 比较计划
| Feature | Bus | Train |
| price | cheaper | more expensive |
| speed | slower | faster |
| distance | closer | farther |
45. Planning an opinion | 观点计划
- opinion
- reason 1
- reason 2
- example
- ending
46. Mandarin transfer: omitted subjects | 中文省略主语
Chinese can omit repeated subjects more freely. English often needs an explicit subject.
Weak:
Went to the shop and bought a book.
Better:
I went to the shop and bought a book.
47. Mandarin transfer: comma chaining | 中文逗号链迁移
Chinese writing can use commas in ways that do not map directly onto English. In English, separate complete sentences or connect them with appropriate conjunctions.
48. Mandarin transfer: topic continuity vs pronoun reference | 话题连续与代词
English often signals reference explicitly with he/she/it/they/this. Check that the reader can identify each referent.
49. Mandarin transfer: direct translation order | 语序直译
Build the English paragraph around English sentence chunks rather than translating a finished Chinese paragraph line by line.
50. Reading-to-writing method | 从阅读学写作
Take a short model paragraph and identify:
- topic sentence
- support
- connectors
- pronouns
- ending
Then write a new paragraph with the same structure but new content.
51. Model imitation without copying content | 模仿结构，不抄内容
Model:
I prefer X because… First… Also… For me…
New topic: study time, transport, food, exercise.
52. Paragraph expansion | 段落扩展
Start with four sentences. Add one reason and one example. Do not add unrelated vocabulary just to make it longer.
53. Paragraph reduction | 段落精简
If a paragraph repeats the same idea three times, remove redundancy.
54. Writing practice A: routine | 写作 A
Write 6 sentences about a daily learning routine. Include:
- topic sentence
- time
- two actions
- reason
- ending
55. Writing practice B: past problem | 写作 B
Write 7 sentences:
- setting
- problem
- first attempt
- second attempt
- result
56. Writing practice C: compare | 写作 C
Compare two travel options using:
- cheaper/more expensive
- faster/slower
- more convenient
- your final choice
57. Writing practice D: opinion | 写作 D
Topic: Is daily English practice useful?
Write:
- opinion
- reason
- example
- second reason
- ending
58. Error clinic | 常见段落错误
| Problem | Better move |
|---|---|
| Every sentence is about a different topic. | Choose one paragraph job. |
| Pronouns are unclear. | Repeat noun or repair reference. |
| Past and present mix randomly. | Choose main time frame. |
| All sentences use “and”. | Use because/but/so/sequence or full stop. |
| Paragraph ends with a new topic. | Close the existing idea. |
59. First weak link diagnosis | 第一个卡点诊断
- sentences correct but paragraph unclear → unity/order.
- ideas repeat → support planning.
- reader loses who/what → reference.
- tense changes randomly → time-frame control.
- too many commas → sentence boundaries.
- writing is short because no details → reason/example expansion.
60. Retrieval lab | 提取练习
- 主题句 → ______
- 支撑句 → ______
- 结尾句 → ______
- 原因 → ______
- 例子 → ______
- 转折 → ______
- 结果 → ______
- 指代 → ______
- 统一性 → ______
- 连贯性 → ______
Suggested answers: topic sentence / supporting sentence / concluding sentence / reason / example / contrast / result / reference / unity / coherence.
61. Ten-minute daily practice | 每天十分钟
| 2 min | four-box plan | 计划 |
| 3 min | draft 4–6 sentences | 初稿 |
| 2 min | grammar check | 语法 |
| 2 min | cohesion check | 连接 |
| 1 min | read aloud | 朗读 |
62. Seven-day training cycle | 七天训练
| Day 1 | topic/support/ending | 段落骨架 |
| Day 2 | time order | 顺序 |
| Day 3 | reference | 指代 |
| Day 4 | because/but/so | 连接 |
| Day 5 | past/future consistency | 时态 |
| Day 6 | comparison/opinion | 功能段 |
| Day 7 | three-paragraph portfolio | 综合写作 |
63. Self-test: 30 questions | 30 题自测
- What is paragraph unity?
- What is coherence?
- Define topic sentence.
- Define supporting detail.
- Define ending sentence.
- Give four ordering systems.
- Give two reason connectors.
- Give two contrast connectors.
- Give two result connectors.
- Explain pronoun reference.
- Give one unclear-pronoun example and repair it.
- Write one present-routine topic sentence.
- Write one past-event topic sentence.
- Write one future-plan topic sentence.
- Write one opinion topic sentence.
- Write one comparison topic sentence.
- Explain why comma chaining is risky.
- Give one sentence with because.
- Give one with but.
- Give one with so.
- Give one paragraph ending.
- Explain draft-first editing.
- Name four editing passes.
- Make a four-box plan.
- Write a five-sentence routine paragraph.
- Write a five-sentence past problem paragraph.
- Write a five-sentence comparison paragraph.
- Remove one unrelated sentence from a paragraph.
- Repair one tense inconsistency.
- Write an 8-sentence connected A2 paragraph independently.
Answer key | 答案
1 all sentences serve one main idea; 2 ideas connect logically; 3 states main paragraph point; 4 explains/supports point; 5 closes existing idea; 6 time/importance/space/problem-solution; 7 because/one reason; 8 but/however; 9 so/as a result; 10 pronoun points clearly to earlier referent; 11–30 answers vary.
64. For parents and teachers | 给家长和老师
Assess paragraphs in layers: meaning first, then organisation, then grammar and spelling.
Use model paragraphs for structure analysis, but require new content.
For Mandarin speakers, directly teach English sentence boundaries, explicit subjects and pronoun reference while respecting differences in Chinese discourse organisation.
Do not reward length alone. Six connected sentences are better than twelve unrelated ones.
65. What Lessons 037–040 add | 第三十七至四十课增加了什么？
| Lesson | New control |
|---|---|
| 037 | talk about life experience with present perfect |
| 038 | sustain longer everyday conversation |
| 039 | follow connected stories and articles |
| 040 | write connected paragraphs |
66. Final real-world challenge | 最终真实任务
- Choose one familiar topic.
- Plan one main point.
- Add three supporting ideas.
- Use at least three connectors.
- Keep reference clear.
- Keep main time frame stable.
- Add one reason and one example.
- Write a clear ending.
- Edit for grammar and punctuation.
- Produce an independent 100–150 word paragraph.
If you can do this reliably, your writing has moved beyond isolated beginner sentences into connected A2-direction communication.
Next natural nodes | 下一批自然节点
- Lesson No.041 · Making Comparisons and Choices · 比较与选择
- Lesson No.042 · Giving Reasons, Opinions and Advice · 原因、观点与建议
- Lesson No.043 · Past Stories with Background and Events · 用背景与事件讲过去故事
- Lesson No.044 · A2 Review and Independent English · A2 复习与独立英语
Back to Chinese Edition Hub · 返回中文版入口
Reference floor: British Council A2 Pre-intermediate · British Council A2 Writing.
