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2. ONE Paragraph Structure

3. Overview: • What is a paragraph? • What does a paragraph look like? • Parts of a paragraph? • Types of paragraphs (with an example) • The steps to writing a good paragraph • Coherence & unity in a paragraph • Connecting Sentences within the paragraph

4. What is a paragraph? • A paragraph is a group of sentences which develop one central idea. The central idea is usually sated in a topic sentence. Every sentence in the paragraph must help the development of the topic sentence. • A paragraph consists of several sentences that are grouped together.  This group of sentences together discusses one main subject.   In formal academic English, paragraphs have three principal parts.  These three parts are the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and the concluding sentence. 

5. What does a paragraph look like? Indentation ( ……)Thefirst sentence of a paragraph is always indented so that the reader will know that a new subject – or a different aspect of the same subject– is being dealt with. This means you must leave an empty space to show the beginning of the paragraph. Consider indentation as another form of punctuation. Just as every sentence ends with a period (.), so each new paragraph begins with an indentation. Make sure that you capitalize the first word of each sentence and end each sentence with a period (.), question mark(?), or exclamation point (!).

6. Parts of a paragraph Most paragraphs have three main parts: • The topic sentence • The supporting sentences • The concluding sentence Topic sentence Supporting Sentences Concluding Sentences

7. The topic sentence and concluding sentence are like the two pieces of bread. The supporting sentences are like the lettuce, tomatoes, meat, onions, and cheese that you put between the pieces of bread. Supporting sentences Concluding sentence

8. Topic sentence The topic of a paragraph is stated in one sentence. This sentence is called the topic sentence. Thetopic sentence is the main idea of a paragraph and it usually comes at the beginning of a paragraph. It is usually the first sentence in a formal academic paragraph.

9. Supporting Sentences The supporting sentences are the major points that explains the main idea. They are called supporting sentences because they support, explain, or give more information about the idea expressed in the topic sentence.  main idea Supporting sentence Supporting sentence Supporting sentence Supporting sentence

10. Concluding Sentence In formal paragraphs you will sometimes see a sentence at the end of the paragraph which summarizes the information that has been presented.  This is the concluding sentence.  You can think of a concluding sentence as a sort of topic sentence in reverse. The Concluding Sentence: The topic is restated to remind the reader what the composition was about.(Begin this sentence with Clearly,... In conclusion,... All in all,...)

11. Example of a paragraph Steve Fredericks cares about keeping fit. First of all, he tries to get some exercise every day. He belongs to a health club where he usually exercises after work. In addition, he is also careful about his diet. For example, he rarely eats food that has a lot of fat or sugar. Finally, Steve never smokes cigarettes. Like many of his friends, Steve tries to keep in shape and stay healthy.

12. Example of a paragraph Steve Fredericks cares about keeping fit. First of all, he tries to get some exercise every day. He belongs to a health club where he usually exercises after work. In addition, he is also careful about his diet. For example, he rarely eats food that has a lot of fat or sugar. Finally, Steve never smokes cigarettes. Like many of his friends, Steve tries to keep in shape and stay healthy.

13. Types of paragraphs • The narrative paragraph • tells a story • The persuasive paragraph. • tries to convince the audience • The descriptive paragraph • describes something • The expository or explanatory paragraph • gives information or explains something

14. The steps to writing a good paragraph

15. Coherence and unity in a paragraph • Coherence in writing means that all the ideas in a paragraph flow smoothly from one sentence to the next sentence. With coherence, the reader has an easy time understanding the ideas that you wish to express. • Stick to the point: The ideas have a clear and logical relation to each other. • Put details or examples or incidents in logical order. 4 chronological 3 2 in relation to each other 1 in order of importance

16. Coherence and unity in a paragraph Paragraph Unity Unity is a very important characteristic of good paragraph writing. Paragraph unity means that one paragraph is about ONLY ONE main topic. That is, all the sentences -- the topic, supporting sentences, the detail sentences, and (sometimes) the concluding sentence -- are all telling the reader about ONE main topic. If your paragraph contains a sentence or some sentences that are NOT related to the main topic, then we say that the paragraph "lacks unity," or that the sentence is "off-topic."

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

18. Connecting Sentences Within the Paragraph Major Connectors

19. Group Task: read the following paragraph My hometown is famous for several amazing natural features.  First, it is noted for the Wheaton River, which is very wide and beautiful. On either side of this river, which is 175 feet wide, are many willow trees which have long branches that can move gracefully in the wind.  In autumn the leaves of these trees fall and cover the riverbanks like golden snow.  Second, on the other side of the town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep.  Even though it is steep, climbing this hill is not dangerous, because there are some firm rocks along the sides that can be used as stairs.  There are no trees around this hill, so it stands clearly against the sky and can be seen from many miles away.  The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree. This tree stands two hundred feet tall and is probably about six hundred years old.  These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my hometown a famous place.

20. Group Task: Answer the following questions • What is the topic/main idea of this paragraph? • Find the topic sentence, the supporting sentences, and the concluding sentence • How is the paragraph organized? • what are the major and minor connectors used? • Is the paragraph coherent? • Does this paragraph have unity? • What does the concluding sentences do in this paragraph?