NEW HORIZON COLLEGE ENGLISH

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Part Four
The Paragraph
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Questions
1. What is a paragraph?
making a striking impression
A paragraph is a unit of thought it is at
once a unit in itself and part of a larger whole,
that is, the essay.

• having an effect, producing the intended result.

2. What is an effective paragraph?
A paragraph which is unified, coherent and
well-developed.
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What is unity? What is a unified paragraph?
Unity of a paragraph is concerned with its
content. If all the sentences in the paragraph
lead to one central thought or theme, the
paragraph is unified.
What is coherence? What is a coherent paragraph?
Coherence of a paragraph is concerned with
its form, or its organization. A paragraph is
coherent when its sentences are logically
connected, and when good transitions are used and
sentences move smoothly and naturally from one to
another. As a result, the reader finds it easy to
follow the writers train of thought and
understand well what is being talked about.
.
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What is a well-developed paragraph?
to make an argument or idea clearer, by speaking
or writing about it in more detail ????, ??
A paragraph is well-developed when its
central idea is logically and fully or completely
explained or expounded.

There are lots of ways to develop a paragraph.
.
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Effective Paragraphs
Topic One
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1. Unity
2. Coherence
3. Transition
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1.Unity
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What is unity? What is a unified paragraph?
Unity of a paragraph is concerned with its
content. If all the sentences in the paragraph
lead to one central thought or theme, the
paragraph is unified.
.
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1. What is a topic sentence?
A topic sentence is one in which the
central theme of a paragraph is summarized.
2. Where does a topic sentence usually appear?
It often appears at the beginning of a
paragraph it may also be found in the middle or
at the end of a paragraph.
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• A winner cares about the world and its
  people. A winner is not isolated from the general
  problems of society, but is concerned,
  compassionate, and committed to improving the
  quality of life. Even in the face of national and
  international adversity, a winners self-image is
  not one of a powerless individual. A winner works
  to make the world a better place.

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We do not choose to be born. We do not
choose our parents. We do not choose our
historical epoch, the country of our birth or the
immediate circumstances of our upbringing. We do
not, most of us, choose to die nor do we choose
the time or conditions of our death. But within
all this realm of choicelessness, we do choose
how we shall live courageously or in cowardice,
honorably or dishonorably, with purpose or in
drift. We decide what is important and what is
trivial in life. We decide that what makes us
significant is either what we do or what we
refuse to do. But no matter how indifferent the
universe may be to our choices and decisions,
these choices and decisions are ours to make. We
decide. We choose. And as we decide and choose,
so are our lives formed. In the end, forming our
own destiny is what ambition is about.
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• At one point along an open highway, I
  came to a cross-roads with a traffic light. I was
  alone on the road by now, but as I approached the
  light, it turned red, and I braked to a halt. I
  looked left, right, and behind me. Nothing. Not a
  car, no suggestion of headlights, but there I
  sat, waiting for the light to change, the only
  human being for at least a mile in any direction.

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Practice


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Practice
Topic Sentences

The forest is a sanitary agent. It is
constantly eliminating impurities from the
earth and the air. Trees check, sweep, and filter
from the air quantities of filthy, germ-laden
dust. Their leaves absorb poisonous gases from
the air. Roots assist in drainage, and absorb
impurities from the soil. Roots give off acids,
and these acids, together with the acids released
by the fallen, decaying leaves, have a
sterilizing effect upon the soil. Trees help to
keep the earth sweet and clean, and water which
comes from a forested watershed is likely to be
pure. Many unsanitary areas have been redeemed
and rendered healthy by tree planting.
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Practice
The forest is a sanitary agent. It is constantly
eliminating impurities from the earth and the
air. Trees check, sweep, and filter from the air
quantities of filthy, germ-laden dust. Their
leaves absorb poisonous gases from the air.
Roots assist in drainage, and absorb impurities
from the soil. Roots give off acids, and these
acids, together with the acids released by the
fallen, decaying leaves, have a sterilizing
effect upon the soil. Trees help to keep the
earth sweet and clean, and water which comes from
a forested watershed is likely to be pure. Many
unsanitary areas have been redeemed and rendered
healthy by tree planting.
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Practice
A dog will follow his master anywhere, but
a cat keeps to the house it is used to and even
when the house changes hands, the cat will
remain there, so long as it is kindly treated by
the new owners. A cat does not seem to be capable
of the personal devotion often shown by a dog. It
thinks most of its own comfort, and its love is
only cupboard love.
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Practice

• Red, for example, is the color of fire,
  blood and life. People say red is an exciting and
  active color. They associate red with a strong
  feeling like anger. Red is also used for signs of
  danger, such as stop signs and fire engines.
  Orange is the bright, warm color of leaves in
  autumn. People say orange is a lively color. They
  associate orange with happiness. Yellow is the
  color of sunlight. People say it is a cheerful
  color. They associated yellow, too, with
  happiness. Green is the cool color of grass in
  spring. People say it is a refreshing color.

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Homework