Paragraph Structure The most important writing feature Then

Paragraph Structure (The most important writing feature? ) Then essay structure ….

Paragraph Z Includes a number of sentences that relate to one topic, feature or aspect of a subject. Z In newspaper reports, a paragraph may comprise only one sentence. Z In some paragraphs the topic sentence does not come first e. g. narrative texts Z Students must indent or somehow leave space to signify a new paragraph.

Typical Paragraph Structure Z Topic sentence - contains an idea Z Expand/Explain - content driven Z Substantiate - examples, reasons, quotations Z Conclude/Link ( A good essay paragraph is often like a miniessay in itself. )

Example Essay question: Which do you consider to be the more valuable Australian farmyard animal; the cow, the horse, the goat or the cat? The domestic cat has very little, if any, monetary value to the farmer. Despite the fact that it provides some companionship to the farmer and his family and that it may kill a few unwanted rodents, the harm that it does to the natural environment far outweighs any benefits the cat might have. Studies have shown that domestic cats, allowed to range freely at night, will actually kill more native birds and wildlife than the few feral cats which are most often blamed for this destruction. Also, every cat owner is only too painfully aware of the number of small birds a cat is capable of disposing of in the daylight hours in quite close proximity to the farm-house. Obviously, the cow is a more valuable animal to the farmer than the cat. TOPIC SENTENCE EXPAND/EXPLAIN SUBSTANTIATE CONCLUDE/LINK

Topic sentences Z Must contain an idea which informs rest of paragraph. Z If in response to an essay question, MUST address essay question (relevance). Z Should either introduce or develop central idea of text. Z Should have main idea first and other details last (theme/rheme) e. g. The corrupting nature of power is the main idea conveyed in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.

Students must ask: Z Is my topic sentence addressing the question (or developing my central idea) in a clear, direct and concise way? Z Does the remainder of my paragraph support/relate to my topic sentence? Have I wandered off somewhere else?

WHAT TO AVOID Z Poetry essays - topic sentences which focus on technique rather than ideas. (This is common error at WMAC!) Z Novel essays - topic sentences which begin with examples/details rather than ideas. DO NOT NARRATE. (c/d students narrate rather than develop ideas. )

Encourage students ZTo plan before they write e. g. skeleton essays/paragraphs ZTo organize oral presentations into coherent, logically structured paragraphs before reducing to palm cards.

The Essay ZAn essay which isn’t planned into a logically structured series of paragraphs is a PILE OF JUNK.

The Essay Comprises three parts: ZAn introduction ZA body ZThe conclusion

Essay Introduction Z This states your thesis, central idea, your proposition, view or opinion. Z Look hard at the essay question, underlining key words and phrases, then plan a series of main points, in logical order. Z Begin with a statement, which directly answers and attacks the essay question in a fresh and vigorous manner. Z Use synonyms rather than directly repeating the words of the question in your opening sentences. These will show that you have interpreted the question correctly without simply repeating it. (Sometimes you must use the terms from the essay as there are no appropriate synonyms. )

Essay introduction Z If there is more than one sub- question in the essay question answer them in order, providing a general overview of your main arguments. These will each be expanded in the body of the essay. Z These arguments or points together will signal the direction in which your essay is going, and show that you are going to answer the main questions asked. Z Your orientation should not say something like, This essay will. . If you choose your words carefully, your writing will say that without you having to emphasise it so bluntly. Z Mention the name of the text and the author in your introduction. Z Write 4 -5 sentences in all.

Body Paragraphs Z This is where you develop the main points to support your argument. Each paragraph should add to and extend your argument as follows. Z Begin each paragraph with a topic sentence or an embedded controlling idea, which builds on the argument you’re developing. Put idea first in topic sentence and anything else second. Don’t just narrate or recount. Next, expand on your topic sentence. Z If you do end up just recounting the text, your argument is likely to fall in a heap. Keep asking yourself how is what you’re writing extending your argument? If it isn’t, why are you writing it? Z Each topic sentence should relate back to your controlling idea and point the direction that the paragraph is going to take, to indicate which facet of the topic you’re going to explore in this paragraph. Z Link each paragraph to the one previous by using an appropriate cohesive tie. Z With regard to cohesion, remember to use present tense throughout your essay. Tense swapping is a major destroyer of essays of this kind.

Body Paragraphs Z Substantiate your argument by making reference to the text using quotations or paraphrases to prove your point. In order to ANALYSE you must also be identifying the techniques used by the author, their meaning and effect. How is the reader positioned? Z Link each paragraph to the one previous by using an appropriate cohesive tie. Z End each body paragraph with a linking sentence that redirects your argument back to your controlling idea and moves it forward to your next argument. Z Ensure that you don’t end up just retelling the plot or describing the central issue. Remember that you’re using the texts as evidence for the case you’re developing. How does what you’re writing extend the boundaries of your argument with regard to your controlling idea?

Essay Conclusion Z Finally, conclude your essay with a reorientation, which not only sums up what has been said but deepens the opening thesis statement and concludes firmly. An effective reorientation should possess the following qualities: Z Begin with a restatement though not a repetition of your opening paragraph - that would look mechanical. Rework the words and ideas so that although the material is what the essay has been dealing with, it still looks fresh and interesting. Z Perhaps half of the reorientation can be a summary or recapitulation but the other half should be a conclusion in the sense of deepening the case outlined in the orientation. Z Don’t introduce any new ideas, but do try to present the ones you’ve been working with a new slant or tone. This can sometimes be achieved by using synonyms for your key words. Z The general effect should carry conviction, including if possible, emotional warmth.

Skeleton Essay ZIntroduction: Write in full. ZBody paragraphs: Write full topic sentences and dot point remainder. ZConclusion: Write in full.

Steps to Essay Writing Success 1. 2. Read question more than once. Underline key words - WHAT do you need to write about? HOW do you need write? E. g. explain, discuss, compare and contrast, argue, persuade … 3. Brainstorm/mind map - generate ideas/central idea/supporting arguments 4. 5. Plan/write skeleton essay. Write essay, following plan. 6. Draft and edit thoroughly.

Analogies ZEssay structure is like debate structure. ZAn essay is like a pie with a bottom and top crust and the meat in the middle.

An essay is like a hamburger For (hungry) dummies. .