PARAGRAPH WRITING

What is a paragraph? It is a series of sentences about one single idea called the topic. It usually begins with a general sentence that introduces the topic, topic sentence, which contains the main idea in the paragraph.
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Topic Sentence
is the most general and important; sentence in the paragraph; introduces the reader to the topic; states the main idea of the paragraph; focuses the paragraph; contains the controlling ideas words that need to be explained, described and supported in the sentences that follow in the paragraph; should not simply be a statement of facts.
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Topic Sentence
The daily newspaper provides a valuable source of information. Gold Fish Pond holds special meaning to my family. Im lucky to have my roommate, Bud. The interior of the new minivan is designed for the drivers safety and comfort.

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Statement of Opinion
The topic sentence should express a main idea that can be developed with stated reasons. This statement is usually an opinion, feeling, attitude, belief, or point of view about the topic. It should not be a statement of fact that needs no development. Air and Space Museum is in Washington, DC. x More Americans are obese than ever before. x The health risks of obesity should not be ignored by overweight Americans.
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Focus
The topic sentence must create an adequate focus for the paragraph. It should be explained or developed in five to ten sentences. If the main idea is too broad, it cannot be adequately developed in one paragraph; if it is too narrow, an entire paragraph is not needed to develop it. Too broad: The causes of the Civil War are complex. Adequate focus: The Battle of Bull Run had a number of strange coincidences. Too narrow: My daughter has a beautiful smile. Adequate focus: My daughter is very attractive. Powerpoint Templates

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Supporting Sentences
are to add details to the topic have to be closely related to the topic sentence (relevant sentences)

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Techniques of Support
Facts: numbers, statistics as well as facts Examples: a series of short examples or a single extended example Physical Description: words appealing to the five senses Personal Experience Multiple Forms of Support
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Patterns of Organization
Listing/Classification Sequence/Process Comparison-Contrast Cause-Effect Definition/Clarification Argumentation

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Listing/Classification
It emphasizes the parts of an object; the logical divisions of a concept. The main idea is stated in the form of generalization. It uses words or phrases like first, second, in addition, another, besides, etc.

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Sequence/Process
It emphasizes the sequence of steps that should be followed. It includes series that follow one after another. It uses words or phrases such as first, finally, next, later, at last, at the same time, etc.

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Comparison-Contrast
It emphasize the qualities that are similar and different between X and Y. Comparison includes only similarities and/or differences. Contrast includes only differences. Signals: like, as, both, same, similarly, however, in contrast, instead, on the other hand, different from, etc.
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Cause-Effect
It emphasizes the major causes of a condition and/or the effects of this condition. Signals: cause, lead to, is the cause of, results in, brings about, is due to, results from, is produced by, can result from, etc.

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Definition/Clarification
It emphasizes a definition of words or ideas.
Synonyms, words that have the same basic meaning do not always have the same emotional meaning. For example, the words stingy and frugal both mean "careful with money." However, calling someone stingy is an insult, but calling someone frugal is a compliment. Similarly, a person wants to be slender but not skinny, aggressive but not pushy. Therefore, you should be careful in choosing words because many so-called synonyms are not really synonymous Powerpoint Templates at all. Page 13

Argumentation
It emphasizes an argumentation to support an opinion or idea.

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Concluding Sentence
It is the sentence that ends the paragraph. It uses one or more of the following techniques: Summarizes the material in the paragraph Offers a solution to the problem stated in the paragraph - Predicts a situation that will result or occur from the statements made in the paragraph - Makes a recommendation concerning material presented in the paragraph - States a conclusion to information given in the paragraph Powerpoint Templates

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End-of-Paragraph Signals Followed by a Comma

Finally, In brief, In conclusion, Indeed, In short, Lastly, Therefore, Thus, To sum up,

End-of-Paragraph Signals Not Followed by a Comma

The evidence suggests that. There can be no doubt that.. These examples show that.. We can see that

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Unity
An important element of a good paragraph is unity. Unity means that a paragraph discusses one and only one main idea from beginning to end. For example, if your paragraph is about the advantages of owning a compact car, discuss only that. Do not discuss the disadvantages. Furthermore, discuss only one advantage, such as gas economy, in each paragraph. If you begin to discuss another advantage, start a new paragraph. Sometimes it is possible to discuss more than one aspect of the same idea in one paragraph if they are closely related to each other. For example, you could discuss gas economy and low maintenance costs in the same paragraph because they are closely related, but you should not discuss both gas economy and easier parking in the same paragraph because they are not closely related.
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The second part of unity is that every supporting sentence must directly explain or prove the main idea. For example, in a paragraph about the high cost of prescription drugs in the United States, you could mention buying drugs from pharmacies outside the United States as an alternative, but if you write several sentences about buying drugs outside the United States, you are getting off the topic, and your paragraph will not have unity.

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Coherence
Another element of a good paragraph is coherence. Coherence in writing means that the sentences must hold together; that is, the movement from one sentence to the next must be logical and smooth. There must be no sudden jumps. Each sentence should flow smoothly into the next one. There are four ways to achieve coherence: 1. Repeat key nouns. 2. Use consistent pronouns. 3. Use transition signals to link ideas. 4. Arrange your ideas in logical order.
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