Bismillah Al Rahman Al Raheem

wa salatu wa salamu sayyiddina Muhammad wa ala alihi wa sahbihi wa sallam,

Alsalamu alaykum wa rahmatullahi wa barakhatuhu

Below are important notes you MUST write in your English notebooks and study.

For homework, write a one paragraph personal narrative based on the notes.

A narrative paragraph tells something that happened, tells something you did.

Topic - the subject matter of the paragraph. It tells the who or what the paragraph is about.

The main idea is the most important idea the paragraph tells about the topic.

The Topic/Main Idea Sentence tells what the paragraph is about and contains the main point or idea.

Supporting Details/Supporting Detail Sentences - A paragraph contains facts, statements, examples-specifics which guide us to a full understanding of the main idea. They clarify, illuminate, explain, describe, expand and illustrate the main idea and are called supporting details.

How to determine the topic of a paragraph?
You ask the question, Who or what is this paragraph about?

Determining Supporting Details

1. Decide which details help to further the story line or information.
2. Decide which details help you to understand the main idea.
3. Answer question raised by the main idea (who, what when, why or how).

Example (do not write the example in your notes unless it will assist you in understanding).

I had a great time at my friend's birthday party! First we played some games. I won three prizes. We had cake and ice cream next. That was my favorite! After eating, we watched my friend open presents. Finally, it was time to go home. I can't wait to go to another party!

The bold underline sentence is the topic/main idea sentence. The smaller sentences are the supporting details. The regular typed sentences are the closing.