LA 102: English Grammar and Composition (2)

Lecture No: 3

Topic: Writing Paragraphs

Lecture Presenters:
DH - Mr. Sefo
RKLT - Mr. Winuan

Week 6 (6th August 2018)

 1. Lecture Topic Outline

1. Lecture Topic Outline.

2. In-house Matters.
3. Lecture 2 Topic Review.
4. Constructing a Paragraph.
5. Writing & Combining Paragraphs for an Essay.
6. Summary.
 2. In-house Matters

• Reminder of Assignment # 2.

• 70% class attendance policy.

 3. Lecture 2 Topic Review

• Generating Ideas for writing

– Brainstorming/Listing
– Clustering/Mind-mapping
– Free-writing
– Question-asking
– Journaling.

• Writing an Outline
– Topic & Thesis Statement
– Hierarchy & economy
– TS, SS, & CS
 4. Constructing a Paragraph
(a) Developing a Paragraph.
i) What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a group of sentences that develops an idea in an
orderly way. It contains ideas relevant to the Topic Sentence.

ii) When constructing a paragraph, note the following:

A. Structure and organization.
B. Choice and arrangement of TS, CS , and supporting ideas
(SS) for the topic sentence.
C. Use of transitional words and phrases (then, more import,
for example, and however ) to logically connect ideas
between sentences.
 A Sample Paragraph
(1) Japan was already an important manufacturing
nation when the first visitors from Western Europe
arrived in 1543. (2)The European visitors observed that
Japan manufactured many more kinds of paper that were
available anywhere else. (3) For example, the Japanese
had invented thin, disposable tissue paper. (4) The
Japanese also showed little interest in European iron and
steel because their own were superior. (5) In fact, Japan
had long been a manufacturer of high quality metal
weapons. (6) A modern film has documented the
remarkable strength of a fifteenth-century Japanese
sword by showing it cut through a thick piece of metal.
(7) Clearly, Japan was not a country hungering for
technological gifts from the European visitors.
• Source: Brown, A, C et al, (1984). Grammar and Composition (6th Course), Boston:
Houghton Mifflin Company.
 iii) Elements of a Paragraph.

Parts of a Paragraph
A. Topic Sentence (TS).
B. Support Sentences (SS).
C. Concluding Sentence (CS).

A. Topic Sentence
When constructing a topic sentence, consider the
following:
1) Length and clarity.
2) Complete expression.
3) Grammatical construction.
4) Directional/predictable.
 A. Topic Sentence (cont.)

Features of a topic sentence:

1. States main idea of paragraph.
2. Tells readers what information to expect in a
paragraph.
3. Tells how details in the paragraph are related.
4. Helps readers to focus on main ideas.
 A. Topic Sentence (cont.)

Every topic sentence has a topic and a controlling idea. The controlling
idea shows the direction the paragraph will take.
Examples of Topic Sentences

1. (a) Topic Sentence: Dogs make wonderful pets because they help you
to live longer.
(b) The topic is "dogs make wonderful pets" and the controlling idea is
"because they help you to live longer.“

2. (a) Topic Sentence: Having a first child is difficult because of the

significant adjustments in your life.
(b) The topic is "having a first child" and the controlling idea is
"significant adjustments in your life."
 Example of a Topic Sentence in a paragraph

Through the centuries rats have managed to survive all our

efforts to destroy them. We have poisoned them and
trapped them. We have fumigated, flooded, and burned
them. Some rats even survived atomic bomb tests
conducted on Entwetokatoll an island in the Pacific after
World War II. In spite of all our efforts, these enemies of
ours continue to prove that they are the most
indestructible of pests.
 Positions of Topic Sentence

Topic sentence:

1. May come in the beginning of a paragraph

-Readers know what you will discuss in the paragraph.

2. Or may come in the middle or end of the

paragraph
-Build up to the topic sentences for clarity or surprise.
 Example of position of Topic Sentence

“When you push against a wall, a door, or a heavy piece of

furniture, you put stress on your muscles. That stress is a
basis of a valuable and easy form of exercise, called isometric
exercise. In isometric exercise, there is little movement; all
benefits come from exerting pressure against an immoveable
object.”

1. In above example, topic sentence in italics comes in

middle of paragraph

2. By giving an example before presenting the topic

sentence helps the reader to understand the topic
sentence.
 Implied Topic Sentence

Not every paragraph needs a topic sentence.

1. A Topic sentence may be implied.

2. If supporting sentences clearly present the topic

sentence, then, there is no need to include a
topic sentence in the paragraph.
 Example of an implied topic sentence in a
Narrative Paragraph
In early spring the grass is light green when you look with the
wind, and dark green when you look toward the wind. In
summer the grasses take on a reddish-brown hue and by
autumn they show purple and copper tints that contrast with
the red, gray, white, and silvery tones of tall drop-seed,
switch grass.
David, F, C, (1980). The Prairie World.

1. Implied topic sentence is: “As the season changes so do

the colours of the grass.”

2. All support sentences work together to convey that

change of colours.
 Example of an implied topic sentence in an Expository
Paragraph

“The air not only moves horizontally; it rises and sinks, and in so doing, it
affects the state of the sky. Descending air has the effect of inhibiting cloud
formation, while ascending air, if it rises enough, causes clouds. Sometimes
there are week upward air motions over large regions and, as a result cloud
layers cover the entire sky.”
Battan, J. L (1979). Fundamentals of Meteorology.

1. Support sentences have words and phrases that relate ideas to the topic
sentence.

2. Examples of words and phrases that convey implied ideas are “rises and
sinks, descending … ascending, upward air motions.”

3. All support sentences work together to support that topic sentence.

 B. Support Sentences

You need to support your topic sentence with details. Supporting

sentences provide the specific details that explain or illustrate your
topic or topic sentence.

Examples of supporting details

1. Facts.
2. Examples.
3. Statistics/figures.
4. Reasons.
5. Descriptions.
6. Experiences.
7. Evidence.
 Example of Support Sentences
“The Mayan civilization was highly developed by A.D 300. The
art and architecture of the Maya were elaborate and formal.
For example, they build large-scale ceremonial centers
consisting of pyramids topped by ornamental temples. One of
this ceremonial centers, Copan, was also known as a center for
astronomy.”

1. The support in above paragraph are all sentences placed

after the topic sentence.

2. The examples relate back to controlling idea given in the

topic sentence.

3. Words/phrases in italics are transitions allowing for logical

progression of ideas.
 C. Concluding Sentences
A Concluding sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph that helps
readers to:

1. Recall or to understand clearly points discussed in the paragraph.

2.Draws together information presented to elaborate controlling idea.
3. Often link the current paragraph to the following paragraph.
4. Often qualify the information or perspectives developed in the
elaboration.

Sometimes, a paragraph does not need a concluding sentence, as

the last supporting detail ties together the ideas of the paragraph.
 An Example of a Concluding Sentence
”Early childhood education programs such as Head Start provide cognitive benefits
well beyond preschool. Recent studies that compare student test scores show that
children who are exposed to structured learning activities outside the home
environment are better able to adapt to formalized instruction in grades
kindergarten through third grade than children who remain at home. This is
particularly true among children from low-income families and children whose
parents have a limited proficiency in English. Children living in states that do not
provide early childhood programs, on the other hand, lag behind their peers. State
and local governments must continue to bridge the achievement gap so that children
may reach their full academic potential at an early age. “
LAEO, (2018). What is a concluding sentence? Retrieved 26th July 2018 from:
https://www.learnamericanenglishonline.com/Write_in_English/WL9_concluding_sentences.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjrX
dzcG73AIVg7aWCh07KQFyEAAYASAAEgLBW_D_BwE

1. The sentence in red is a concluding sentence.

2. The sentence draws together information presented to

elaborate the controlling idea in the topic sentence.
 5. Writing & Combining Paragraphs for an
Essay
An Essay is a group of related paragraphs that work in
unison to support a thesis statement.

An essay usually consists of three parts:

A. an introductory paragraph,
B. body paragraphs,
C. and a concluding paragraph.

Paragraphs show where the subdivisions of an essay

begin and end and, thus, help the reader see the
organization of the essay and grasp its main points.
 A. Introductory Paragraph

This is a first paragraph that gets reader’s

attention, introduces topic, and presents stance
on the topic or gives line of discussion.

A good introduction presents a broad overview

of your topic and your thesis, and should
convince the reader that it is worth their time to
actually read the rest of your essay.
Features of introductory paragraph
Description of Parts of Introductory Paragraph

1. Hook/Attention Grabber – to grasp the attention

of the reader, given in general statement or
specific details.
2. Background information – presents background
information on the chosen topic.
3. Thesis statement – main idea statement that will
be further developed in the discussion.
4. Overview statement – stance taken or indication
of points to be discussed in the essay.
An Example of an Introductory Paragraph
Working part-time as a cashier at the Piggly Wiggly
has given me a great opportunity to observe human
behavior. Sometimes, I think of the shoppers as
white rats in a lab experiment, and the aisles as a
maze designed by a psychologist. Most of the rats—
customers, I mean—follow a routine pattern,
strolling up and down the aisles, checking through
my chute, and then escaping through the exit hatch.
But not everyone is so dependable. My research
has revealed three distinct types of abnormal
customer: the amnesiac, the super shopper, and
the dawdler.
 Features of the Introductory Paragraph

1. The paragraph contains the four features of an

introductory paragraph.
2. Not all the four parts are expected to be in an
introductory paragraph.
3. The three compulsory components of an
introductory paragraph are:
i) Introductory sentence.
ii) Thesis statement.
iii) Line of discussions.
 B. Body Paragraphs
The term body paragraphs refers to any number of
paragraphs that follow the introduction paragraph and
that come before the conclusion paragraph.

Body paragraphs are a group of related paragraphs that

develop and support the thesis statement that controls
the entire essay.

Because essays are composed of a multiple body

paragraphs, writing and organizing good paragraphs is
one of the most important aspects of creating a well-
organized and developed essay.
 A Strategy in Writing Body Paragraphs
When writing the body paragraphs do the following:

-Develop the topic that you have presented in the introductory

paragraph.

-Write and organize the paragraphs so that they present your topic
clearly and systematically.

-Follow closely your outline & add details (facts, examples, reasons,
figures/statistics, descriptions, etc…) to the frame in respective
paragraphs.

-Provide coherence & unity among your sentences and paragraphs

by applying appropriate transitional devices.
 Functions of Body Paragraphs

1. They help writers organize their work in

steps.

2. They help readers follow the writers’ thoughts

throughout a text.

3. Paragraphs give the reader a break when

reading a page of text.
 An Example of Body Paragraphs
It is, of course, important for people to earn a sufficiently high salary to support their lifestyle.
This does not mean, however, that the salary should be decisive when choosing a job. Indeed, I
would argue that there are a number of other factors that are equally significant.
The first point to consider is why it may be a mistake to place too much emphasis on the
salary. One reason for this is that you may select a job that is well-paid but ultimately
unsatisfying. In this case, you may spend 8 hours a day being unhappy. Something else to be
taken into account is that highly-paid jobs tend to be stressful and involve long working hours.
For instance, many doctors have a 60 hour working week and they often suffer from burn out
early in their careers and wish they had chosen a less stressful profession.
The other point to be taken into account is how other factors may matter more than the salary
when deciding on a job. For example, most people would accept that the work environment is
key to job satisfaction. If you are working alongside people you like and the atmosphere in the
office is positive, you are much more likely to be satisfied in your work. Likewise, it is also
critical that you actually enjoy what you do. For example, someone who is artistic is much
more likely to be happy working for a low salary teaching art than earning a fortune as a
merchant banker.
In conclusion, I would say that the salary should be only one consideration in choosing a job
and that other factors such as job satisfaction and work environment are just as important.
 C. Concluding Paragraph
What is a concluding paragraph?

1. One that should make your essay seem

complete and should help your reader to
understand the full meaning of your essay.

2. Last paragraph that wraps up your discussion,

that demonstrates to the reader that you
accomplished what you set out to do.
 Features of a Concluding paragraph

1. Restatement of main premise/ideas.

2. Summary of key points raised in the essay.

3. Broad statement (evaluate, forecast future,

make recommendations).

Note: Never raise new ideas in the conclusion.

 An Example of a Concluding Paragraph

The problem of teen gang violence can be eliminated. It will,

however, take time, money, and a combined effort on the part of
many people. Organized, free, after-school programs such as: sports
teams and games; art, music, and drama activities; internships in
local area businesses and professional organizations; and interesting
volunteer activities in the community would help engage teens in
worthwhile pursuits outside of school hours. More job
opportunities for teens, especially those funded by state and local
programs, would offer income for teens as well as productive work
for the community. Outreach to families through schools,
community organizations, and places of worship would help
promote inter-generational activities that could improve family
closeness, helping teens to work on their problems at the family
level, instead of taking them to the streets. If these programs can be
implemented, we will surely see a decrease in teen gang activity
and safer streets and neighborhoods for us all.
 Purpose of a Concluding Paragraph

1. Topic sentence
– Fresh rephrasing of thesis statement.

2. Supporting sentences
– Summarize or wrap up the main points in the body of
the essay.
– Explain how ideas fit together.

3. Concluding sentence
– Final words.
– Connects back to the introduction.
– Provides a sense of closure.
 6. Summary
The following ideas were covered in the lecture:

1. Body & Elements of a Paragraph

A. Topic Sentence.
B. Support Sentences.
C. Concluding Sentence.

2. Paragraphs of an Essay
A. Introductory paragraph.
B. Support Paragraphs.
C. Concluding Paragraph.
 References
Brown, C. A. et al. (1984). Grammar and Composition (5th Edition). Boston, USA:
Houghton Mifflin Company
Crystal, D. (1992). Discover Grammar. London: Longman.

Hornby, A. et al. (1996). Oxford Advanced Learners Dictionary (5th Edition). London: Oxford
University Press.

Leso, I, R. (2012). Building Blocks of Writing Skills, Milton Keynes: Lightning Source UK Ltd.

Swan, M., & Baker, D. (2008). Grammar Scan. Diagnostic test for Practical English Usage
(3rd Edition). New York, USA: Oxford Press.

University of New England, (2017). Academic Skills – Conclusion Paragraphs, Retrieved

26th July 2018 from: https://aso-resources.une.edu.au/academic-writing-
course/paragraphs/conclusion-paragraphs/.
End of Week 6 Lecture 3.