Guidelines for writing paragraph

Characteristics of a good paragraph

Unity Coherence

Unity
quality of sticking to one idea from start to

finish, with every sentence contributing to the central purpose and main idea of that paragraph; in a unified paragraph, all of the supporting sentences serve to illustrate, clarify, and/or explain the main idea set forth in the topic sentence;

Coherence
refers to how well the contents of a paragraph

"hang together in order to achieve paragraph coherence, you must look at a number of different elements in your paragraph:

the organizational pattern the use of transitional devices the repetition of key words or related terms, including pronouns the occurrence of parallel syntactic structures

Transitional words and phrases

To add something To show contrast To give an example

Examples
also, to, in addition, furthermore but, yet, in contrast to, on the other hand for example, for instance, thus

To compare or show another similarity in the same way, in some ways

To show time sequence

To emphasize To show relationship To acknowledge a point of doubt that may be opposite to the one you are making To summarise

then, next, first, in the beginning

in fact, indeed, in other words above, beyond, below, next to, behind, in front of although, though, even though, in spite of, yet, even if finally, in conclusion, consequently, thus

Checking for coherence

check the topic sentence
-

the topic sentence is usually the first sentence of the paragraph. it gives the reader an idea of what the paragraph is going to be about;

avoid mixed constructions use pronouns that refer only to identifiable

antecedents
-

if the antecedent is plural, use a plural pronoun; if the antecedent is feminine, use a feminine pronoun

use similar grammatical structures to achieve

balance in a sentence use transition words to help the reader move easily repeat key words to attract and hold your readers attention

Point paragraph outline

it is an organisational strategy that

provides a frame for the ideas the writer wants to convey 2 purposes of PPO:
1.

2.

make the focus of the paragraph more specific and clearer; makes it easier for the reader to understand;

Topic Sentence: States both the topic of the paragraph and the main point you want to make about that topic.
Introduce the first reason or example that supports your main point. A.Provide a quote or specific example as evidence or support. B.Explain how the quote or example supports your main point. Transition to second reason or example that supports your main point. A.Provide a quote or specific example as evidence or support. B.Explain how this quote or example supports your main point. Transition to a third reason or example to support your main point. A.Provide a quote or specific example as evidence or support. B.Explain how this quote or example supports your main point.

Write a concluding sentence (or two) that explains how all three of the examples above support your topic sentence.

Organising your essay

contains three parts
a.
b. c.

beginning (introduction) middle (body) end (conclusion)

opening sentences ( to attract reader) transition (to set the stage for the thesis) thesis statement (sum up the essay)

introduction has three parts

a. b.

c.

 opening sentences is to attract the

reader. techniques used:

a. b. c. d.

use a quotation or catchy saying describe a personal experience ask a question give a startling fact or statistics

 the body comprises 3 to 4 paragraphs;

each paragraph discusses one topic

sentence; supporting details and evidences are used to support the TS; transition words are used to give the pp unity and coherence;

 the conclusion summarizes the ideas

mentioned earlier and concludes the essay;

Types of essay

Narrative essay Compare-contrast essay Descriptive essay Process essay Cause and effect essay Explanation essay Argumentative essay

Narrative essay
to describe something;

it :
a. is told from a particular point of view (first & third point of view) b. makes and supports a point c. is filled with precise detail d. uses vivid verbs and modifiers e. uses conflict and sequence as does any story f. may use dialogue

Compare-contrast writing
to compare and contrast two items in

order to note what properties they have in common and what properties each possesses that the other lacks; seeks to explain the similarities and/or differences rather than merely note them.

Organising a comparison/contrast writing

block/ parallel pattern

- listing the points of comparison on one subject first

then working on the second subject

alternating/ integrated method

- present the point on the first subject to be followed immediately by the second subject

using analogy

- used to show similarity between two subjects

which have nothing in common

Descriptive writing
vividly portrays a person, place, or thing

in such a way that the reader can visualize the topic and enter into the writers experience;

Purpose of descriptive writing

to express oneself;
to entertain; to inform a wide audience;

 The general characteristics of descriptive

writing include: elaborate use of sensory language:

rich, vivid, and lively detail figurative language such as simile, hyperbole, metaphor, symbolism and personification showing, rather than telling through the use of active verbs and precise modifiers

Steps in descriptive writing

prominent sensation/ idea
perspective point choosing facts

organising of facts
planning and drafting the descriptions

Organising descriptive writing

vintage point/ spatial organisation

- describing an object by moving from top to bottom,

or left to right; - it also uses words that indicate direction and place;

time sequence

- Uses all the five senses

dominant impressions

- use to bring out the outstanding description about a

feature of a subject

Process writing
to explain how to do something or how

something works; a good process writing:

either helps readers perform the steps themselves or helps them understand how something works presents the essential steps in a process explains steps in detail presents steps in logical order (usually time order chronological)

Cause and effect paragraph

clearly distinguishes between a cause

and an effect; establishes a clear thesis statement; presents information in an effective order;

Steps in writing cause and effect paragraph

make a list of causes or effects. then narrow down that list

to include only the most important causes or effects; explain each cause or effect in the paragraph in as much detail as possible; use transitional words in your paragraph, such as: also, as a result, because, first and finally; include in your paragraph a clear topic sentence. this sentence should state the main idea of your paragraph; arrange your points in chronological order. use transitional words like first, second, finally. Lastly, you can use order of importance, which shows events that are most important.;

Explanation paragraph
to explain how or why something happens;

topic sentence identifies what is being explained. support sentences give a sequenced explanation of how and why something works or happens. concluding Sentence gives a brief summary of the process in conclusion

Steps in writing explanation paragraph

choose a narrowed down topic to be

described thoroughly; give details of the process in correct order give reasons for the order use chronological order

Cause because

Effect therefore

since
as a result of is due to

thus
consequently hence

For beginning an explanation at first, initially, to begin with, in the beginning, first of all, the first step
For continuing an explanation while, as, at the same time, the next step, after, next, then For ending an explanation finally, eventually, at last, the final /last step

Argumentative essay
it not only gives information but also

present an argument with the pros (supporting ideas) and cons (opposing ideas) of an argumentative issue; takes a stand and writes as if we are trying to persuade an opposing audience to adopt new beliefs or behavior;

Toulmins Model of argument

elements of a persuasive argument
a. claim the point an arguer is trying to make. The claim is the proposition or assertion an arguer wants another to accept. Grounds answers the questions, "What is your proof?" or "How come?" or "Why?"

b. grounds - to the proof or evidence an arguer offers

c. warrant it is implicit (unstated) and requires the listener to recognize the underlying reasoning that makes sense of the claim in light of the grounds.

d. backing - provides additional justification for the

warrant; - usually consists of evidence to support the type of reasoning employed by the warrant

e. qualifier - states the degree of force or probability to

be attached to the claim. - states how sure the arguer is about his/her claim

f. Rebuttal - acknowledges exceptions or limitations to

the argument. - admits to those circumstances or situations where the argument would not hold.

 a good argumentative essay include:

a. establishing facts (to support an argument)
b. clarifying relevant values (for your audience (perspective) c. prioritizing, editing, and/or sequencing (the facts and values in importance to build the argument) d. forming and stating conclusions e. "persuading" your audience that your conclusions are based upon the agreed-upon facts and shared values f. having the confidence (to communicate your "persuasion" in writing)