Match the Sentences in the Paragraph to their Function

(TESOL Ideas--Activities that Can Be Used with Any Reading Text)

Sample: docs, pub

I got this activity from Teaching Reading Skills in a Foreign Language by Christine Nuttall.  Nuttall suggests that one way to help students truly understand a text is to have them identify the rhetorical function that each sentence plays in developing the argument in the paragraph.

In order to make this into more of a game for my students, I cut up the sentences on pieces of paper, and then give them a piece of paper that has a chart of the rhetorical development of the paragraph.  Students work in groups to find the sentence that matches each slot, and then paste that sentence on top of the slot.

Below is a sample from Expert IELTS 6, 7a Reading: Tourism in the Developing World p.104-105:

Although it is often underestimated, the tourism industry has the potential to meet the needs of many people	who live in the poorest parts of the world.	To start with, tourism is the fourth largest industry in the global economy,	generating around $1 trillion and this money has a direct positive effect on locals.
Secondly, tourism itself is changing.	When tourism emerged in the 1950s,	it was the European countries which benefited most.	Just fifteen nations received 98 percent of all international arrivals,
but by 2007, budgets had increased and that number had fallen to 57 percent.	In fact, tourism is a major source of income for 83 percent of developing countries,	which have become popular destinations, and one-third of the world’s poorest nations depend on it.	The economic power of tourism has transformed many societies in recent years.
Compared with other major global industries, such as the fuel industry, and chemical and car manufacturing,	tourism often has more benefits for people who live in the nation.	There are several reasons for this.	To start with, all money which is spent usually stays at the point of production,
in other words, in local bars and restaurants in the resort.	There are often few foreign middle men, so locally based hotels, restaurants, growers and producers directly receive the income	which is spent in the area, and that in turn allows more of the cash to stay within the region.	A second reason is that many countries that lack the raw materials needed to enter profitable industries like the fuel industry or agriculture,
are nevertheless able to participate successfully in tourism if they have distinct history and traditions.	Such countries can use their unique characteristics to create income and give them an advantage	when previously they might not have been able to compete.	The third reason is that tourists often have a broad list of requirements.

Match the text to the function

Introduce the main idea of the essay	Introduce the main idea of the essay (continued)	The first point explaining the main idea.	The first point explaining the main idea. (continued)
The second point explaining the main idea.	Explain the second supporting point.	Explain the second supporting point (continued)	Give statistics to prove the previous sentence
Give statistics to show that things have changed.	More statistics to further show how things have changed.	More statistics to further show how things have changed (continued)	Introduce the main idea of the first body paragraph.
Explain the main idea of the first body paragraph.	More statistics to further show how things have changed (continued)	15. This sentence alerts the reader to the fact that the writer is now going to introduce reasons to support the main idea.	16. First supporting idea
17. example of first supporting idea.	18. Explanation of first supporting idea.	19. Explanation of first supporting idea (continued)	20. Second supporting idea
21.  Second supporting idea (continued)	22. Support for second supporting idea	23. Support for second supporting idea (continued)	24. Third supporting idea

I also find this also useful for teaching writing lessons in which students are given a model text.  See an example below (This is from Unit 1 Writing Skill: Organizing and Developing an Essay p.23-26 from Q: Skills for Success: Reading and Writing 4)

Example: docs, pub 

Introduction

Introduce the General Topic

Transition from the General Topic to a Specific Topic

Introduce the Specific Topic

Thesis statement (the main idea of the essay)

Body Paragraph 1

Topic Sentence

Supporting Idea 1

Example

Supporting Idea 2

Example

Supporting Idea 3

Example

Concluding Sentence (restate the topic sentence in slightly different words)

Conclusion

Restate the supporting ideas from the body paragraph in slightly different words

Restate the thesis statement in slightly different words

Look beyond your essay topic, and talk about the future

    

Introduction

A role model is someone who shows people how to live life with passion, honesty, and integrity.

However, this does not necessarily mean that all the people who have these qualities are actively seeking to be role models.  Many people who are role models do not try to be. They may have strong values, but they do not always teach these values directly. Instead, they show them by example.

This is true for my role model, my father.

I admire my father because of his strong beliefs and values, and I have learned what it means to be a role model through his actions.

Body Paragraph 1

My father has several admirable qualities that make him my true role model.

First, he is dedicated to his family.

For example, my father works very hard because he has always wanted to give the best life to his wife and children.

In addition, my father has committed his life to helping others.

One instance of this is that when he sees someone who needs assistance, he never hesitates to lend a hand.

Finally, my father is willing to learn from his mistakes.

To illustrate this, when he does something wrong, he is honest with himself, and he tries to find a solution.

To summarize, I really admire the qualities that my father has.

Conclusion

My father is someone who is there for his family, who is compassionate towards others in need, and who confronts his weaknesses with resolve and a positive attitude.

For these reasons, he is my role model.

I aspire to be just like my father when I have children. He is an inspirational person who shows that actions can speak louder than words, and I am fortunate to have someone like my father touch my life in such a powerful way.