lesson 5 paragraphs

Lesson FiveParagraphs

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Lecture Series

A Brief HistoryLatin: Paragraphus

"A horizontal stroke drawn below the beginning of a line in which a break in sense occurs."

English: Pilcrow

A Brief History

Modern English: Paragraph

“A unit of writing focused on a single idea or topic.”

A Brief History

“…an effective paragraph has three fundamental features: a central idea, supporting evidence, and close connection between sentences.”

-pg 90

(read Sample 1, page 89)

Features of a Paragraph

Elements of a Paragraph

1. Topic Sentence

2. Unity

3. Coherence

4. Adequate Development

Elements of a Paragraph

Topic SentenceSubject + Controlling Idea = Topic Sentence

Elements of a Paragraph

Topic Sentences1. A topic sentence must be a complete sentence, not a fragment.

2. A topic sentence is usually a direct statement, not a question.

3. The subject of the topic sentence is usually the subject idea of the paragraph.

Elements of a ParagraphTopic Sentences

4. The verb and complement of the topic sentence usually show the controlling idea of the paragraph.

5. The focus part or controlling idea of the topic sentences usually presents a judgment or attitude about the subject.

6. A subordinate word group is sometimes used in the topic sentence to define the focus still further.

Elements of a Paragraph

Topic SentencesExample 1

People can avoid burglaries by taking certain precautions.

What do you expect to see?The precautions one can take in order to avoid

burglaries

Elements of a Paragraph

Topic SentencesExample 2

There are several advantages to growing up in a small town.

What do you expect to see?The advantages of growing up in a small town

Elements of a Paragraph

Topic SentencesExample 3

Most US universities require a 550 point TOEFL score for a number of reasons.

What do you expect to see?

The reasons for requiring this score

Elements of a Paragraph

Topic SentencesExample 4

Effective leadership requires specific qualities that anyone can develop.

What do you expect to see?

The qualities of effective leadership

Elements of a Paragraph

Bad Topic Sentences “New Orleans is famous because it is located by the Mississippi River, which is very wide, and because it

has many swamps which are called bayous by the local people.”

Elements of a ParagraphBad Topic Sentences

This topic sentence contains too many details.

Topic sentences are general, and details should appear later in the paragraph. A better topic sentence would be:

New Orleans is famous for several amazing geographical features.

Elements of a Paragraph

Bad Topic Sentences “There are two reasons why some people like to

buy cars with automatic transmission and two reasons why others like cars with manual

transmission.”

Elements of a Paragraph

Bad Topic SentencesThis topic sentence is not good because it

mentions two topics, not just one.

Paragraphs are usually about one main thing, so their topic sentences should also be about only

one main thing.

There are various reasons why some people like to buy cars with automatic transmissions.

Elements of a Paragraph

Bad Topic Sentences “Clouds are white.”

Elements of a Paragraph

Bad Topic SentencesThis is not a good topic sentence because it is

too general.

The color of clouds are determined by various factors.

Elements of a Paragraph

Topic Sentences Regardless of whether you include an explicit or

implicit topic sentence, you should be able to easily summarize what the paragraph is about.

Elements of a Paragraph

Topic SentencesA carefully thought out topic sentence will serve

two important functions:

1. Provides the author with a focus or objective.

2. Provides readers with the tools they need to clearly understand what you have to say.

UnityThe entire paragraph should concern itself with a

single focus. If it begins with a one focus or major point of discussion, it should not end

with another or wander within different ideas.

Elements of a Paragraph

Elements of a Paragraph

CoherenceCoherence is the trait that makes the paragraph

easily understandable to a reader. You can help create coherence in your paragraphs by creating logical bridges and verbal bridges.

Elements of a Paragraph

CoherenceLogical Bridges

The same idea of a topic is carried over from sentence to sentence.

Elements of a ParagraphCoherence

Verbal Bridges• Key words can be repeated in several sentences • Synonymous words can be repeated in several

sentences • Pronouns can refer to nouns in previous sentences • Transition words can be used to link ideas from

different sentences

Elements of a Paragraph

Adequate DevelopmentThe topic should be discussed fully and adequately by using supporting evidence.

Next Week:Developing Paragraphs

Writing Assignment

State, explain, and describe to a general academic audience one social problem that can be fixed

during your lifetime.Due in 2 weeks

Underline the topic sentence of each paragraph.

Writing Assignment

DefinitionSocial: of or relating to human society, the

interaction of the individual and the group, or the welfare of human beings as members of society

Writing AssignmentHints:

•What is the problem? •Does it affect the whole world or just a specific

region/location? •What is the history of this problem?

•What is the current situation of this problem? • Whom does it affect? •Why is it a problem?

•What can you do to solve it in your lifetime?

Reading AssignmentRead Chapter 4.

You will have about two weeks to read the chapter.

Review notes from Chapter 3.