Business Writing

Firefly Electric and Lighting Corp. Training and Organizational Development

Human Resources Department

Module 4

Crafting Paragraphs

Module Four: Crafting Paragraphs

Carefully written words and well constructed sentences make up the building blocks of writing. In this module, we will discuss how you can put these blocks together for best results. We will discuss the basic parts of paragraphs, examine some examples and learn some tips in organizing your paragraphs.

Vigorous writing is concise. A sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences, for the same reason that a drawing should have no unnecessary lines and a machine no

unnecessary parts. William Strunk Jr.

Crafting Paragraphs

Module 4

Crafting Paragraphs

Lesson 1

Basic Structures of a Paragraph

Crafting Paragraphs Definition: A paragraph is a collection of

organized, coherent and closely related sentences that deal with one controlling idea or subject. This controlling idea is embodied in a general statement called topic sentence

It is the fundamental unit of composition that explains or demonstrates a key point or thought, usually to inform, to persuade or to entertain.

Crafting Paragraphs

The Basic Parts

Topic Sentence

Closing or Clincher Sentence

Supporting or Developmental Sentences

Crafting Paragraphs Topic sentence is a general statement that contains

the controlling or main idea of the paragraph. It is generally found at the beginning of the paragraph to provide the reader an idea or a viewpoint of the writer about the topic. Some paragraphs may have the topic sentence in the middle or at the end.

The topic sentence may generate questions like Why, What or How. It is the job of the writer to provide supporting sentences to adequately answer these questions

Crafting Paragraphs

Examples of topic sentence that generate the question Why?.

• Most people are generally afraid of rats.

• Ways should be found to control climate change.

• Pets are effective in the treatment of depression among old people.

Crafting Paragraphs Examples of topic sentence that generate the

question What?.

• Five foods you must not eat to eliminate belly fat.

• Several online jobs offer lucrative incomes.

• Dementia is caused by several factors.

Crafting Paragraphs

Examples of topic sentence that generate the question How?.

• You can be a millionaire at 30.

• A weight loss of 12 kilos in three weeks is possible.

• Scientists have found a way to extract disease causing genes in the body.

Crafting Paragraphs A paragraph has three basic parts:

• Introduction refers to the first sentence of the paragraph that provides a background for its development. The first sentence is usually a topic sentence.

• Body refers to the main part of the paragraph that develops the topic sentence by providing supporting details such as examples, explanations, proofs, illustrations, analyses, comparison and contrast, facts, logical ordering , statistics , arguments, etc.

Crafting Paragraphs The sentences that make up the body of a

paragraph are called supporting or developmental sentences. They make the paragraph come alive to the reader, make it more interesting or explain it more clearly.

• Conclusion or closing or clincher sentence is a concluding sentence that restates the idea of the topic sentence. If the paragraph is a stand alone , independent composition, the concluding statement called clincher may contain a summary of the main points of the paragraph or signal its end.

Crafting Paragraphs

Example of the basic parts of a paragraph:

• Introduction: usually the topic sentence.

Dogs make great pets for people of all ages.

In this sentence, “all ages” should guide you in developing your body of the paragraph. You can start from the oldest going to the youngest or vice versa

Crafting Paragraphs • Body: the supporting or developmental sentences.

For the elderly, they provide companionship and an antidote to depression. For active adults, they make energetic partners in doing exercises such as walking, biking, running or even swimming. For stay-at-home mothers, they are a good company, a good listener( because they don’t talk back) . For young children, they are good playmates in games, a protector, and a confidant of dreams.

Crafting Paragraphs

The supporting sentences expand on the topic sentence, giving the reasons why dogs make great pets. Each of the sentences can be further expanded to produce a longer paragraph. You must take care though, that you don’t deviate from the topic.

Crafting Paragraphs • Conclusion: the closing or clincher sentence.

All in all, no other animal probably can be better as great pets than dogs. (This serves as your clincher sentence) or

Dogs really make great pets for the elderly, active adults, stay- at-homes mothers and young children. (This sentence is a summary of what were written in the body of the paragraph.

Tips in Crafting Paragraphs

Keep your main idea central

Decide how to best explain your main idea

Whenever possible, outline first before starting on any writing

Tips in Crafting Paragraphs • Keep your main idea central – The main idea is the central thought that tells what the paragraph is all about. • Decide on what facts or topics support the main idea and explain them in a logical manner • Whenever possible write an outline first before you start writing about your topic. • An outline is a general plan containing the essential elements of what you will be writing about. It will help you to see whether your ideas are connected to each other.

Crafting Paragraphs

Module 4, Lesson 1: Review Questions

1. A topic sentence can be found: a) in the middle of a paragraph b) at the beginning of the paragraph c) at the end of the paragraph d) all of the above

2. Which of the following is not true? a) The topic sentence must contain details. b) The topic sentence carries the central thought. c) The topic sentence is found at the end of the paragraph. d) The topic sentence is the controlling idea.

Module 4, Lesson 1: Review Questions 3. The clincher sentence : a) indicates the end of the paragraph b) is found at the end of the paragraph c) is the same as conclusion of the paragraph d) all of the above.

4. The part of the paragraph that makes it interesting to the reader is: a) the main idea b) the clincher c) the developmental sentences d) the conclusion

Module 4, Lesson 1: Review Questions 5. Which of the following IS NOT a tip stated in this module? a) Whenever possible, outline first before starting on any writing. b) Always try to enrich your writing with some interesting information. c) Keep your main idea central. d) Decide how to best explain your main idea. 6. Which of the following statements IS NOT true? a) It is recommended to weed out information that does not support your main idea. b) When you begin writing a business document, it is recommendable to have a central idea, but it is not necessary . c) The facts that support your idea should be presented in a logical order. d) An outline will give you an idea of how the topic will play out.

Crafting Paragraphs

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Crafting Paragraphs 1. Which of these is the best topic sentence? a) Cavities cause toothaches. b) The stores are well decorated. c) Bullying is caused by several factors. d) The changing climate 2. Which supporting sentence can be included in a topic about the Philippines? a) Philippines offers a lot of attractions to tourists. b) Mayon Volcano has the world’s perfect cone. c) When it rains, it floods. d) A very healthy climate

Crafting Paragraphs Base your answers to the next succeeding numbers on this

group of numbered sentences.

1. Bullies exist in many schools.

2. According to research, the main factor that produces a bully is size and personality.

3. Another factor is overexposure to violent movies and television programs.

4. Schools must stop bullying.

5. What factors produce bullies in schools?

6. Bullies don’t get love and attention.

7. Violence in the home is still another factor.

Crafting Paragraphs 3. Which of the sentences above can serve as topic sentence? a) 1 c) 3 b) 5 d) 7 4. Which sentence should follow the topic sentence? a) 2 c) 7 b) 3 d. 5 5. Which sentences should not be a part of the paragraph? a) 1,7 c) 4,6 b) 2,6 d) 4,5

Crafting Paragraphs 6. What combination of supporting sentences will

make a good paragraph?

a) 1,3,4 c). 2,3,7

b) 3,6,7 d) 2,3,4

7. To which sentence will this sentence be used as supporting sentence? “ Bigger and aggressive students tend to dominate quieter and smaller students.”

a) 2 c) 6

b) 1 d) 4

Crafting Paragraphs

If you got a score of 4 or less in the practice exercise, please review the notes on Crafting Paragraphs before taking the quiz.

Please look over the uploaded Powerpoint notes in Quia and check whether there are other facts you need to include in your Cheat Sheet.

Module Four: Review Questions 1. A topic sentence can be found: a) in the middle of a paragraph b) at the beginning of the paragraph c) at the end of the paragraph d) all of the above

2. Which of the following is not true? a) The topic sentence must contain details. b) The topic sentence carries the central thought. c) The topic sentence is found at the end of the paragraph. d) The topic sentence is the controlling idea.

Module Four: Review Questions 3. The clincher sentence : a) indicates the end of the paragraph b) is found at the end of the paragraph c) is the same as conclusion of the paragraph d) all of the above.

4. The part of the paragraph that makes it interesting to the reader is: a) the main idea b) the clincher c) the developmental sentences d) the conclusion

Module Four: Review Questions 5. Which of the following IS NOT a tip stated in this module? a) Whenever possible, outline first before starting on any writing. b) Always try to enrich your writing with some interesting information. c) Keep your main idea central. d) Decide how to best explain your main idea. 6. Which of the following statements IS NOT true? a) It is recommended to weed out information that does not support your main idea. b) When you begin writing a business document, it is recommendable to have a central idea, but it is not necessary . c) The facts that support your idea should be presented in a logical order. d) An outline will give you an idea of how the topic will play out.

Crafting Paragraphs 1. Which of these is the best topic sentence? a) Cavities cause toothaches. b) The stores are well decorated. c) Bullying is caused by several factors. d) The changing climate 2. Which supporting sentence can be included in a topic about the Philippines? a) Philippines offers a lot of attractions to tourists. b) Mayon Volcano has the world’s perfect cone. c) When it rains, it floods. d) A very healthy climate

Crafting Paragraphs Base your answers to the next succeeding numbers on

these group of numbered sentences.

1. Bullies exist in many schools.

2. According to research, the main factor that produces a bully is size and personality.

3. Another factor is overexposure to violent movies and television programs.

4. Schools must stop bullying.

5. What factors produce bullies in schools?

6. Bullies don’t get love and attention.

7. Violence in the home is still another factor.

Crafting Paragraphs 3. Which of the sentences above can serve as topic sentence? a) 1 c) 3 b) 5 d) 7 4. Which sentence should follow the topic sentence? a) 2 c) 7 b) 3 d) 5 5. Which sentences should not be a part of the paragraph? a) 1,7 c) 4,6 b) 2,6 d) 4,5

Crafting Paragraphs 6. What combination of sentences will make a good

paragraph?

a) 1,3,4 c). 2,3,7

b) 3,6,7 d) 2,3,4

7. To which sentence will this sentence be used as supporting sentence. “ Bigger and aggressive students tend to dominate quieter and smaller students.”

a) 2 c) 6

b) 1 d) 4

Module 4 Lesson 1: Crafting Paragraphs Quiz

1. Please proceed to www. Quia.com/web.

2. On the space provided, enter your log in name and your password.

3. Under “Quiz”, please select Module 4, Lesson 1, Quiz 1.

4. Follow the instructions in the quiz.

5. Follow these same steps when you go to succeeding quizzes after every lesson.

End of Module 4 Lesson 1