Paragraph 1 How to write an effective paragraph

Paragraph (1) How to write an effective paragraph?

The paragraph is a series of sentences developing one topic in a topic sentence. The rest of the paragraph consists of sentences that support or explain the topic sentence. The last sentence in a paragraph is usually a concluding sentence.

Paragraphs Form Most paragraphs contain between four to eight sentences. The first line of a paragraph is usually indented to show that there is a new paragraph. If you want to introduce a new topic, you’d better begin a new paragraph. indent ___________________________________________.

Paragraphs Essay Introduction & Thesis Statement Body Paragraph 1 _______ Purpose Body Paragraph 3 _______ Body Paragraph 4 ______ Body Paragraph 2 Body Paragraph 5 _______ Conclusion Mini-essay Unified Coherent Transitional

Key Features Body paragraphs should contain some of the following features… An effective paragraph A Topic Sentence Topic sentence Supporting. Sentences sentences Closing sentence Supporting A Concluding Sentence Unity, Coherence, Transtion Unity, coherence and transition

_topic sentence_______________________________________body____________________________________________________ concluding sentence_______ what he is going to talk should be related to the main idea use examples, personal experiences, details, facts and statistics suggest a solution to the problem; make a conclusion

The Three Parts of a Paragraph Topic Sentence • States the paragraph’s main idea • Names the topic • Limits the topic to a certain area Supporting sentence u. Develops the topic sentence u. Supports the topic sentence u. Proves the topic sentence Concluding Sentence Ø Signals the end of the paragraph Ø Summarizes the main point of the paragraph Ø Restates the topic sentence in a different way

The Topic Sentence Topic Controlling Idea “Genius requires 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration. ” Main idea Central theme Controlling idea

Position Topic Sentence: states the main idea of the paragraph. Topic Sentence Body Paragraph An important factor in learning a foreign language has to do with the concept of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. When we do something for the “fun of it” or because we enjoy it, that is called intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is when we do something for the purpose of receiving some kind of external reward such as money, time off from work, etc. Many education experts believe that intrinsic motivation is more powerful when it comes to helping students retain what they’ve learned. The question and challenge for teachers today is, “How can we help our students become intrinsically motivated in what we are teaching? ”

Position Topic Sentence We now have, as a result modern means of communication, hundreds of thousands of words flung at us daily. We are constantly being talked at, by teachers, preachers, salesmen, public officials, and motion picture sound tracks. In some houses the radio is never turned off from morning to night. Daily the newsboy brings us, in large cities, from thirty to fifty enormous pages of print. We go out and get more words at bookstores and libraries. Words fill our lives. Topic Sentence: states the main idea of the paragraph.

Five positions of a topic sentence in a paragraph 1) at the beginning 2) in the middle (transitional function) 3) in the end (conclusion) 4) both at the beginning and in the end 5) implied

Topic Sentence Essentials Not a complete sentence Strategies of learning English. There are many strategies that you can use to help you learn a new language. Complete Sentence

Example Not a complete sentence The Day of the Dead is a special holiday in Mexico when people can get together to remember deceased loved ones.

Topic Sentence Essentials Topic and Controlling Idea Topic Sentence Companies need to develop more efficient forms of energy. Topic Sentence Companies should develop more efficient forms of energy such as solar heating. Controlling Idea: limits the ideas in the paragraph and makes the sentence more specific. Topic: names the main idea

Example Topic: names the main idea or general subject of the paragraph Topic Sentence One of the most serious problems in today’s inner-city public schools is overcrowded classrooms. Controlling Idea: makes a specific comment about the subject. Tells the reader what the paragraph will say about the main topic.

Be Careful! Make sure that your topic sentence does not contain too many controlling ideas.

Example The advent of the Internet has benefited society through improved communication, access to information, and streamlined commerce. Topic Sentence The advent of the Internet has benefited society through improved communication. Most topic sentences contain only one controlling idea.

Supporting Sentences Topic Sentence An important factor in learning a foreign language has to do with the concept of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. n n n When we do something for the “fun of it” or because we enjoy it, that is called intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is when we do something for the purpose of receiving some kind of external reward such as money, time off from work, etc. Many education experts believe that intrinsic motivation is more powerful when it comes to helping students retain what they’ve learned. Supporting Sentences

The concluding sentence • • • Restate the main idea Suggest a solution to the problem Ask a question Predict what is going to happen End naturally without a concluding sentence

Concluding Sentence Body Paragraph An important factor in learning a foreign language has to do with the concept of intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation. When we do something for the “fun of it” or because we enjoy it, that is called intrinsic motivation. Extrinsic motivation, on the other hand, is when we do something for the purpose of receiving some kind of concluding sentence external reward such as money, time. This off from work, etc. Many tries to leave a final thought with the education experts believe that intrinsic motivation is more powerful reader by asking a question. when it comes to helping students retain what they’ve learned. The question and challenge for teachers today is, “How can we help our students become intrinsically motivated in what we are teaching? ”

Concluding Sentence Useful Expressions It is sometimes helpful to have a concluding expression in your last sentence to signal the end of your paragraph. Some common expressions used in concluding sentences are listed below. q As we can see, q q q In summary, As a result, These examples show that… q Finally, q Consequently,

Criteria of an Effective Paragraph

Unity in the Paragraph Every sentence in a paragraph should support the only one main idea expressed in the topic sentence. main idea sent ence ce n e t sen e c n te senten ce

Topic Sentence One of the recent status symbols for many American business people is the palm pilot. Palm pilots are small electronic devices that help people organize information such as dates for meetings, short notes, and addresses of contacts. Fax machines are also very popular among office workers. With palm pilots, a person can input information at any time and any place. Many business People also have cellular phones so that they can make phone calls from just about anywhere. When a person returns to the office from a business trip, he/she won’t have to spend hours organizing notes or addresses, because the palm pilot already has that information. All that person has to do now is hook up the palm pilot to sentences a personal and voila! All the information These do computer, not relate to the sentence from meetings is topic efficiently organized on the hard drive of the in the paragraph. This personal computer! paragraph does not have unity.

Coherence in a Paragraph • Stick to the point: The ideas have a clear and logical relation to each other. • Put details or examples or incidents in logical order. chronological in relation to each other in order of importance 4 3 2 1

Connecting Sentences Within the Paragraph Transition words chronological order objects in relation to one another in order of importance first next to however meanwhile in front of furthermore later beside as a result afterwards between in fact finally behind yet

Transitional Devices Transitional Words or Phrases Transitions between paragraphs

Ways for a fluent and coherent paragraph: 1. Using parallel structures; 2. Repeating key words or word groups; 3. Using pronouns to refer to nouns in preceding sentences; 4. Restatement of a subject in different words; 4. Being consistent in the person and number of nouns and pronouns, and the tense of verbs; 5. Using transitional expressions. https: //www. msu. edu/user/jdowell/135/transw. html#anchor 1671187

Ways to build a paragraph Paragraph Essay 1. Narration 2. Description 3. Argumentation 4. Exemplification 5. Definition 6. Process 7. Classification 8. Cause & effect 9. Comparison & contrast 4. Exposition Ways of presenting supporting facts

REVISING topic sentence Is my paragraph unified? supporting details clear method to organize Is my paragraph organized? transitions/ connecting words

Paragraph-Writing process 1. Pre-writing (brainstorm the topic) topic sentence 2. Writing (narrow down the topic) details, examples, facts supporting sentences 3. Revising and editing arrange the details in logical order Make a conclusion sentence

Write 3 paragraphs in about 150 words, telling readers your daily life in college.

busy My college life could be… interesting challenging 33

Brainstorming I preview textbooks life in dorm attend classes busy finish assignments occupy seats in library crowded dining hall

Brainstorming II make friends widen horizon join in clubs interesting live in dorm more free time take part-time jobs

Brainstorming III competition self-study difficult learning challenging cooperation social work job-hunting