Chapter 1

Copyright © 2012 by Pearson Education, Inc.


CHAPTER 1: WRITING A PARAGRAPH


CHAPTER OUTLINE AND LEARNING OBJECTIVES

In this chapter, you will learn to: recognize and write clear topic sentenc

es, engage in planning and revision strateg

ies, and write a paragraph reflecting effective u

nity, support, and coherence.


WHAT IS THE ROLE OF A PARAGRAPH? The paragraph is the basic building

block of any essay. It is a group of sentences focusing on one

idea or one point. Focusing on one idea or one point gives a

paragraph unity. Typically, paragraphs will be between

seven and twelve sentences long.


THE WRITING PROCESS

Prewriting—how to generate and develop ideas for your paragraph

Planning—how to organize your ideas Drafting and Revising—how to

create, revise, and edit rough drafts Proofreading—how to proofread and

make one final check


PREWRITING A PARAGRAPH Keep three things in mind:

Topic Purpose Audience

Freewriting, Brainstorming, and Keeping a Journal Freewriting is a technique that involves writing

whatever comes into your mind on your subject. Brainstorming is similar to freewriting, but you

pause to ask yourself questions that will lead to new ideas.

A journal is a notebook of your personal writing, a notebook in which you write regularly and often.


PREWRITING A PARAGRAPH

Finding Specific Ideas Narrow your range of ideas

Selecting One Topic Once you have a list of specific ideas that can

lead you to a specific topic, you can pick one topic.

Adding Details to a Specific Topic Develop the specific topic you selected in a

number of ways:1. Check your list for other ideas that seem to

fit with the specific topic you’ve picked.



2. Brainstorm-ask yourself more questions about your topic, and use the answers as details.

3. List any new ideas you have that may be connected to your topic.

Info Box: Beginning the Prewriting: A Summary1. Think on paper and write down any ideas

that you have about a topic.2. Scan your writing for specific ideas that have

come from your first efforts.3. Pick one specific idea.



Focusing the Prewriting Use two techniques:

1. Marking a list of related ideas2. Mapping related ideas

Listing Related Ideas Mark the list of ideas Group related ideas

Mapping Mark the list of ideas Cluster the related ideas into separate lists



Forming a Topic Sentence Review your details and see if you can

form some general idea that can summarize the details.

Write that general idea as one sentence. Writing Good Topic Sentences

A topic sentence states the main idea that you have developed on a topic.

Topic sentences do not announce; they make a point.



Focusing the Prewriting: A Summary Follow these steps:

1. Try marking a list of related details, or try mapping to group your ideas.

2. Write a topic sentence that summarizes your details.

3. Check that your topic sentence is a sentence, not a topic. Make sure that it is not too broad or too narrow and that it is not an announcement. Check that it makes a point and focuses the details you have developed.


PLANNING A PARAGRAPH

Checking Your Details Begin working on an outline for your paragraph. An outline is a plan that helps you stay focused in

your writing. The outline takes shape when you write your topic

sentence and write your list of details beneath the topic sentence.

Adding Details When There Are Not Enough Brainstorm to add more details.

Eliminating Details That Do Not Relate to the Topic Sentence


PLANNING A PARAGRAPH

From List to Outline An organized, logical list will make your writing unified

since each item on the list will relate to your topic sentence.

After you scan your list, develop an outline of the paragraph.

Checklist for an Outline Coherence: Putting Your Details in Proper Order

The most logical order for a paragraph depends on the subject of the paragraph.

1. Time order2. Emphatic order3. Space order


DRAFTING AND REVISING A PARAGRAPH Drafting a Paragraph

Writing out the outline in paragraph form. You may write several drafts.

Revising Revising means rewriting the draft by making

changes in the structure, in the order of the sentences, and in the content.

Editing includes making changes in the choice of words, in the selection of details, in punctuation, and in the pattern and kinds of sentences.


DRAFTING AND REVISING A PARAGRAPH

Also includes adding transitions, which are words, phrases, or sentences that link ideas.

Checklist for Revising the Draft of a Paragraph (with key terms)


PROOFREADING A PARAGRAPH

Give Your Paragraph a Title The title should be short and should fit the

subject of the paragraph. The Final Version of a Paragraph


REVIEWING THE WRITING PROCESS

INFO BOX: The Stages of the Writing Process Prewriting Planning Drafting and Revising Proofreading


CRITICAL THINKING AND THE WRITING PROCESS

Critical Thinking and the Writing Process Brainstorming involves critical thinking. Critical thinking is a type of reasoning that has several

meanings and practical uses. Critical thinking plays a vital role in writing effectively.



Lines of Detail: A Walk-Through Assignment Pick one topic sentence and fill in the blank. Get in groups with students that selected the

same sentence and brainstorm. Independently, begin to think on paper. Draft an outline of the paragraph. Write a first draft. Share the draft with the members of your group. Revise and edit the draft. Prepare a final version of the paragraph.



Topics for Writing a Paragraph Topics for Critical Thinking and Writing


WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?

A. The basic building block of an essay.B. A sentence that summarizes the details.C. A plan that helps you stay focused in your

writing.D. A type of reasoning.


WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH?

A. The basic building block of an essay.B. A sentence that summarizes the details.C. A plan that helps you stay focused in your

writing.D. A type of reasoning.

Write a paragraph reflecting effective unity, support, and coherence.


HOW LONG SHOULD A PARAGRAPH BE?A. 2–3 sentencesB. 4–6 sentencesC. 5–9 sentencesD. 7–12 sentences


HOW LONG SHOULD A PARAGRAPH BE?A. 2–3 sentencesB. 4–6 sentencesC. 5–9 sentencesD. 7–12 sentences

Write a paragraph reflecting effective unity, support, and coherence.


WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A STAGE OF THE WRITING PROCESS?

A. PrewritingB. ComposingC. PlanningD. Proofreading


WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A STAGE OF THE WRITING PROCESS?

A. PrewritingB. ComposingC. PlanningD. Proofreading

engage in planning and revision strategies, and


WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXAMPLE OF A TOPIC SENTENCE?

A. A little school in North CarolinaB. I like school.C. Congestion at the school parking deck is

causing many problems for students.D. Freedom from school


WHICH OF THE FOLLOWING IS AN EXAMPLE OF A TOPIC SENTENCE?

A. A little school in North CarolinaB. I like school.C. Congestion at the school parking

deck is causing many problems for students.

D. Freedom from school

recognize and write clear topic sentences,

Chapter 1

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list of details

list of specific ideas

paragraph form

topic sentenceand

paragraph planninghow

list of related details

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