BBI 3421 EXPOSITORY WRITING

1. BBI 3421 EXPOSITORY WRITING

2. Paragraph Organization A paragraph: ☼ is a group of related sentences that develops a major idea ☼ has 3 parts: - a beginning: Topic sentence - a middle: Body (Supporting points) - an end: Concluding sentence ☼the series of sentences comprise logical and interrelated pieces of information.

3. TOPIC SENTENCE SUPPORTING SENTENCES CONCLUDING SENTENCE Superstitions affect several aspects of my life. First of all, I have a lot of superstitions about school, especially tests. For example, I always wear the pearl necklace that my grandmother gave me when I have to take a test. I think it brings me good luck, and I am afraid that I will do poorly if I forget to wear it. When I get to school, I always find a seat right in the middle of the room, sit down, and then switch my watch to my right wrist before the test begins. In addition, I am very superstitious about travelling. I will never start a trip on a Friday because I am sure it will bring me bad luck. When I have to stay in a hotel, I refuse to sleep in a room on the 13th floor. For me, 13 is an unlucky number. In addition, I always wear something green, my lucky colour, on the first day of the trip. Finally, like many ther athletes, I am especially superstitious when it comes to my sport, tennis. When I dress for a match, I always wear the same T-shirt with my initials on it. I also use the same shoelaces in my sneakers that I have had since I first started playing tennis. As soon as I buy a new pair of sneakers, the first thing I do is replace the laces with my lucky ones. I am also superstitious about my breakfast on the day of a match. I always eat the same things: eggs and muffin. All in all, I am superstitious about many aspects of my life. A good paragraph

4. A POORLY CONSTRUCTED PARAGRAPH Japan is a nation of workaholics. Japan has more national holidays than the United States or Germany.The average worker uses only nine of his or her eighteen days of paid vacation every year. Many Japanese are uncomfortable taking vacation days when their coworkers have to be at work, according to Japanese sociologists who have studied the problem. “I wish I could take more than a week,” said office worker Masako Tanaka, “but the environment at work doesn’t really let you do that.” Americans who work for Japanese companies quickly learn to put in the same long hours as their Japanese colleagues. Japanese schoolchildren go to school every other Saturday, and they spend most evenings, weekends, and holidays attending study clubs or cram schools. The Japanese government wants government workers to take more time off because people spend more money on vacation, which would help the Japanese economy.Many Japanese enjoy hark work and long hours; if they didn’t, they wouldn’t do it. Japanese get used to working long hours when they are schoolchildren.

5. Topic Sentences A topic sentence comprises 2 parts: ☼a subject ☼ a controlling idea / focus A topic sentence must be a complete sentence. An effective topic sentence must fulfill 2 things: ☼ specific enough to narrow down a subject into an idea ☼general enough to be expanded and elaborated by the rest of the sentences in the paragraph Examples: • Keeping wild animals in captivity is cruel. • Preparing Maggi mee is simple. • There are several reasons why I hate to go shopping during weekends.

6. Supporting Points ☼ After you have stated your point in a topic sentence, you need to support it with reasons, facts, and examples. As a writer, it is your job to provide enough support to prove the point you made in your topic sentence. Your supporting sentences should be as specific as possible. ☼ Supporting sentences that are vague or that merely repeat the point you made in the topic sentence are not effective.

7. Paragraph 1 The repairs on my car were much expensive than I had anticipated. When I saw the final bill, I was in shock. It was twice as much I had planned on. I had to pay RM395 to get the brakes repaired and another RM100 to get the wheels aligned. The engine oil change was RM30, and the replacement of the air filter was another RM20. Paragraph 2 The repairs on my car were much more expensive than I had anticipated. The mechanic did a good job, but I think I was overcharged for everything. I never imagined that the final bill would be so high. In fact, I had to borrow some money from my friend to pay it. The next time my car needs repairs, I’ll go to a different garage. Exercise 1Compare the two paragraphs

8. Paragraph 1 Our family trip to Costa Rica last summer was very exciting. Every day we saw something new and different. One day we went hiking, which was really an incredible experience. Another day we took a rafting trip down a river. We saw lots of unusual plants and animals that we had never seen before. We did many things that we will never forget. Everyone agreed that this was the best trip we have ever taken. Paragraph 2 Our family trip to Costa Rica last summer was very exciting. We were there for two weeks, and not a day went by without something unusual happening. On our second day, a boa constrictor swam right in front of us while we were rafting down the Rio Claro. Another day, spider monkeys threw branches as us deep in the rain forest. Hiking on the primitive trails in Corcovado National Park, we saw brilliant scarlet macaws and toucans with huge yellow beaks. Whenever we look at the pictures from our trip, we all agree that it was the most exciting one we have ever taken. Exercise 2Compare the two paragraphs

9. Unity and Coherence Unity ☼ Every sentence within the paragraph should relate to the topic and develop the controlling idea / focus. If a sentence does not relate to the topic, it is irrelevant and should be deleted from the paragraph. ☼ A paragraph which has sentences that do not relate or discuss the controlling idea lacks unity.

10. A paragraph which lacks unity I love the location of my new house. For one thing, it is a very safe neighborhood, and I am not afraid to go out alone. There is almost no crime, and most people do not even lock their doors. In addition, the neighborhood is in a convenient location. Lots of stores, schools, and restaurants are nearby. Within a few miles, there is also a library, health and fitness center, and movie theater. Most of all, I really like the people who live in this neighborhood. They are friendly and helpful and seem to want to keep our community safe and clean. My new house is roomy, comfortable, and sunny, but I need to buy more furniture.

11. Introduction Body Conclusion INTRODUCTION Background Information Gets reader’s attention using one or more of the following: ☺Anecdotes ☺Quotations ☺Questions ☺Facts and statistics Thesis Statement States the subject and focus of the essay 1st SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH Topic Sentence: States first supporting point Provides supporting details, examples, facts 2nd SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH Topic Sentence: States first supporting point Provides supporting details, examples, facts 3rd SUPPORTING PARAGRAPH Topic Sentence: States first supporting point Provides supporting details, examples, facts CONCLUSION Makes final comments by doing one or more of the following: ☺Restating main points ☺Asking a question ☺Suggesting a solution ☺Making a recommendation ☺Making a prediction Introduction to Essay WritingBasic Plan of a Typical Five-Paragraph Essay

12. Outline of an essayWhy people save books? Introduction Thesis Statement: Why do people save their books? There may several reasons, but three stand out. Body Supporting Paragraph Topic Sentence: One reason people save their books is to use them as reference materials. Supporting Paragraph Topic Sentence: Another reason some people save books is to make a good impression. Supporting Paragraph Topic Sentence: While some people may keep books for practical reference and for conveying an impression, I suspect that there is a deeper reason. Conclusion In fact, if you think about it, security is at the bottom of all these reasons. (summarizing)