PARAGRAPHS

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PARAGRAPHS

• ALLI PENFIELD, DAVID DOLAN, SARA LI, ALBERT
  CHIANG, LIZ VISKOSKI, BLAIR ROBINSON

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Paragraphs
Paragraphs are used to divide your subject into
manageable units of information. Combined to
show the relationship of ideas to one another and
their significance to your overall purpose. -Two
types of paragraphs Topical paragraphs -
develop a topic or idea Special paragraphs -
introduce or conclude a piece of writing or
provide a transition between major parts
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Unity

• - In order to achieve unity in your writing, each
  sentence must show a clear connection to the
  topic.
• - Consists of sentences that describe or reveal
  characteristics of the subject.

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Topic Sentences

• - Normally presents the main idea of the
  paragraph at the beginning, though some occur in
  the middle of paragraphs to have readers follow
  ones train of thought.
• - Introduces reader to the significance of the
  entire paragraph.

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Completeness

• - Amount of explanation needed to appropriately
  address reader.
• - Completeness is achieved by providing a reader
  with enough information without overwhelming them.

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Order

• Consistent order is the key to effective
  paragraphs
• Direction of movement
• Four directions
• General to Particular
• Particular to General
• Whole to Parts
• Question to Answer or Effect to Cause

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General to Particular

• Paragraph starts with a general statement and
  then move into specific explanations.
• The paragraph helps the reader understand the
  general statement

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Particular to General

• This is the opposite of General to Particular
• Starts off with specific information and then
  leads to a general conclusion

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Whole to Parts

• Aka partitive or enumerative
• Opens with a statement which identifies the
  divisions of the topic.
• Paragraph goes on to define each of the parts
  which were mentioned in the opening statement
• Often used in argument

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Question to Answer or Effect to Cause

• Paragraph begins with a question which the rest
  of the paragraph answers
• Paragraph begins with an effect and the rest of
  the paragraph explains the cause.

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Coherence

• Different from unity, completeness, and order

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Coherence Flow

• Easier if have plan/ direction
• Non-coherent writing stems from start-stop-start
  writing
• Mostly caused by attention shifts (IMing,
  talking, general procrastination, etc.)
• Several techniques for building coherence
  pronouns, contrast, repetitive structure, and
  transitional markers

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Pronoun Reference

• Connects to a prior point in the paragraph --gt
  link provides unity
• Reinforces subject(s) of the paragraph

Contrast

• Use if the topic sentence introduces a
  compare-contrast argument
• AB or A/BA/B matching sequence
• All of one side at once or every-other
  alternating structure

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Repetitive Structure

• Purposefully reusing same word(s) to make a
  rhythm
• Most common use is parallel structure
• Example I Have a Dream speech

Transitional Markers

• Introduces, adds, contrasts, or concludes
• For example, for instance, to illustrate
• Second, then, furthermore, in addition, also,
  next
• On the other hand, however, instead
• Therefore, consequentially, in other words,
  finally

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Special Paragraphs

• Paragraphs used to introduce or conclude an essay
  or paragraphs used to transition from one subject
  to another

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Introductory Paragraph

• Purpose let readers know what your essay is
  about, it previews the essay, and grabs the
  attention of the reader
• Ways to start Direct Statement, Factual
  Information, Quotation, Dramatic Episode,
  Anecdote

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Introductory Paragraph (cont.)

• Direct statement
• e.g. America is getting online
• Factual information
• e.g. Ninety-seven percent of CCHS students
  attend college after graduation
• Quotation
• e.g. Life is like a box of chocolates, you
  never know what youre gonna get -- Forrest Gump
  
• Dramatic episode
• e.g. a description of a man making granola
• Anecdote
• e.g. a personal experience relating to the
  topic

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Transitional Paragraph

• Purpose moving from subject to subject or from
  general explanation to specific examples
• Connects ideas so the essay flows
• Often quickly summarizes what has been said and
  suggests what is to come

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Concluding Paragraphs

• Purpose not necessarily to summarize the essay
  but to echo the intro paragraph and globalizes
  the ideas of the essay
• Connects the essay to the greater world
• Some essays dont need a concluding paragraph--
  dont include if it just restates what is already
  said

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Concluding Paragraphs (cont.)

• Restate and recommendation
• e.g. summarize your points and suggest a
  solution to the problem
• Prediction
• e.g. in an essay about global warming you
  could predict what the earth will look like in
  the year 2030
• Resolution
• e.g. a final climatic insight into your
  experience
• Quotation
• e.g. Its not what your country can do for
  you its what you can do for your country ---
  JFK

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Revising Paragraphs

• Do the topical paragraphs make sense with your
  topic?
• Is there unity, completeness, order, and
  coherence?
• Does your intro hook the reader?
• Does your conclusion merely state the obvious? Or
  does it leave the reader with a good impression?

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• THE END