THE PARAGRAPH Meet a very POWERFUL tool.. What am I trying to say? Balance Think Value Act Communicate.

THE PARAGRAPH

Meet a very POWERFUL tool.

What am I trying to say?

Balance

Think Value Act Communicate

Think: Types of Paragraphs The narrative paragraph

tells a story The persuasive paragraph

tries to convince the audience The descriptive paragraph

Uses detail to paint a picture of something The expository or explanatory

paragraph gives information or explains something

Think: So, What do we know about …Paragraphing?

The paragraph is a The paragraph is a series of sentences series of sentences

developingdeveloping oneone topic.topic.

Value: The Topic Sentence

The topic of a paragraph is stated in one sentence. This is called the topic sentence.

The topic sentence is also known as the main idea.

Eureka!That one topic is aka the… Thesis Statementin a multi paragraph paper!

A thesis is a value judgment about a specific topic. For example, your topic may be “health

care”. Your views, biases, and opinions on this

topic help you choose a position or a value judgment!

Act: What about the rest of the paragraph?

The rest of the paragraph consists of sentences that develop or explain the main idea.

Through the centuries rats have managed to survive all our efforts to destroy them. We have poisoned them and trapped them. We have fumigated, flooded, and burned them. We have tried germ warfare. Some rats even survived atomic bomb tests conducted on Entwetok atoll in the Pacific after World War II. In spite of all our efforts, these enemies of ours continue to prove that they are the most indestructible of pests.

Main idea/Topic

sentenceMain idea/Topic

sentence

Concluding

sentenceConcluding

sentence

Act: How do these pieces fit together?

Communicate: Developing the Topic Sentence

Unity in the Paragraph Every sentence in a paragraph should support the main

idea expressed in the topic sentence. Details, examples etc.

Supporting details

What efforts?

Traps

Fumigation

Flood

Fire

Germ warfare

Supporting details

What efforts?

Traps

Fumigation

Flood

Fire

Germ warfare

The point is: The rats survived our efforts;

we conclude they are indestructible

Unity provides balance

Through the centuries rats have managed to survive all our efforts to destroy them. We have poisoned them and trapped them. We have fumigated, flooded, and burned them. We have tried germ warfare. Some rats even survived atomic bomb tests conducted on Entwetok atoll in the Pacific after World War II. In spite of all our efforts, these enemies of ours continue to prove that they are the most indestructible of pests.

Main idea/Topic

sentence

Main idea/Topic

sentence

Concluding

sentenceConcluding

sentence

The concluding or clincher sentence

Restate the topic sentence in different words.

A clincher sentence or concluding sentence clinches the point made in the paragraph.

It summarizes the paragraph.

Conclusion -- The Big Finale

Your conclusion should reemphasize the main points made in your paper. You may choose to

reiterate a call to action or speculate on the future of your topic, when appropriate.

Avoid raising new claims in your conclusion.

Coherence in a ParagraphCoherence in a Paragraph

Stick to the point: The ideas have a clear and logical relation to each other.

Put details or examples or incidents in logical order.

chronological

in relation to each other

in order of importance

Connecting Sentences Within the Paragraph

Transition Words

Chronological Order

Objects in relation to one

another

In order of importance

first

meanwhile

later

afterwards

finally

next to

in front of

beside

between

behind

however

furthermore

as a result

in fact

yet

Body Paragraphs and Topic Sentences

Body paragraphs build upon the claims made in the introductory paragraph(s)

Organize with the use of topic. sentences that illustrate the main idea of each paragraph.

Offering a brief explanation of the history or recent developments in your topic within the early body paragraphs can help the audience to become familiarized with your topic and the complexity of the issue.

Paragraph Tips for Timed Writings

Proofreading tips

Stop writing and…take a break!

Come back fresh and slowly…read your paper aloud.

Read your paper backwards. Ask a friend to read the paper

aloud. Remember! Spell check and

Grammar check can make mistakes.