Constructing Paragraphs and Using Evidence

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Constructing Paragraphs and Using Evidence
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Textbook-Style Paragraph

• Topic sentencegeneral statement of the main
  point of the paragraph (analogous to the argument
  in an essay)
• Elaboration, discussion, evidence, examples, and
  so on
• Conclusion and transition to the next paragraph

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Support for Arguments

• One image for a good argument is a roof held up
  by columns or a table with legs. The roof is the
  general argument, and the columns are the
  supporting reasons and
• evidence.

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Providing Coherence

• Make sure the basic structure works. If the
  paragraph contains a major shift from one topic
  to the next, it may need to be revised
  completely. Sometimes sentences need to be taken
  out.
• Repeat some key words dont overuse the
  thesaurus.

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Providing Coherence (cont.)

• Be consistent with pronoun use and point of view.
  Dont shift from I to you to they for the
  same point of view.
• Dont overuse There are and It is locutions.
• Use active voice verbs.
• Active Maria threw the ball.
• Passive The ball was thrown by Maria.

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Transitions

• Use transitional devices, such as sentences which
  look back at preceding subjects and then announce
  a shift to the next topic.
• Use signal words as transitions. Your text and
  many websites offer help with this.
• UNCs Writing Center http//www.unc.edu/depts/wcw
  eb/handouts/transitions.html

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Background Information

• What you need to know
• In all U.S. states, the age at which people can
  legally drink alcoholic beverages in public is
  twenty-one. In fact, the legal drinking age is
  established by each state, but states gave in to
  financial pressure from the federal government
  and set the age at 21 in the 1980s. However,
  there are still varying state standards about
  what is permitted in the home.

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Introductory Paragraph Argument Essay

• Topic Sentence
• The state of Illinois should not lower the
  legal drinking age. Instead, more should be done
  to prevent teenagers from drinking, especially
  drinking to excess and then driving.

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Reasons

• Teenagers in particular can be injured by
  drinking alcohol because their bodies and brains
  are still growing and changing (National
  Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA). In addition,
  teenagers are especially vulnerable to peer
  pressure and the influence of a culture which
  presents getting drunk as a way to have fun. So
  teenagers may find it harder than adults to
  resist drinking to excess.

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Reasons (cont.)

• Perhaps the most important reason for not
  allowing teenagers to drink legally involves
  their ability to drive legally at eighteen or
  younger. Young drivers are responsible for many
  automobile accidents because they lack mature
  judgment scientific research shows that humans
  brains are still developing while they are in
  their twenties (NIDA). Thus, allowing teenage
  drivers to drink alcohol legally would only
  increase the number of accidents caused by these
  inexperienced, easily distracted drivers.

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Works Cited

• National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). National
  Institute of Health. NIDA for Teens The Sara
  Bellum Blog. August 25, 2009. September 10, 2009.
  Web. lthttp//teens.
• drugabuse. gov/blog/tag/
• brain-development/gt

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Supporting Facts and Logic

• All of these assertions should be supported by
  specific information from credible sources and
  research. Everybody knows is not helpful.
• Writers should not jump to conclusions, engage in
  hasty generalizations, or stereotype. In other
  words, do not assume that one instance or example
  proves all members of a group are the same. That
  one example may not be typical or representative
  of the entire group .

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Personal Experience as a Source

• Use personal experience and examples but ALWAYS
  be aware that you should not carry that thinking
  out too far. Remember you want to present
  yourself as a reasonable person.
• Conclusion One example may certainly prove
  something but it does not prove everything!
• Always allow for exceptions and different
  circumstances.