Tips for Writing a Paragraph -...
Transcript of Tips for Writing a Paragraph -...
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Tips for Writing a Paragraph
Characteristics of a Good Paragraph
Topic Sentence which includes a topic and a controlling idea Supporting Ideas (usually 36) which support the topic sentence RENNS (reasons, examples, names, numbers, senses) which give details and further
explain the supporting ideas. Optional Concluding Sentence, which leaves the reader with something to think
about and may summarize the supporting ideas if the paragraph is long. Unity which means that all sentences in the paragraph directly support the topic
sentence. Coherence which means that all the information of the paragraph is wellorganized ,
logically ordered and easy to follow. This is accomplished byo repetition of key words and phrases (often from the topic sentence)o parallel grammatical structureo transition words and phrases.
Process of Writing a Paragraph:
1. Compose your topic sentence. Think of a topic and idea that will narrow the topicenough to support it well in one paragraph.
2. Brainstorm supporting ideas. Choose 23 supporting ideas that do a good jobsupporting your topic sentence.
3. Write your paragraph in topic outline form as follows. (Don’t actually write sentencein the outline except for the topic sentence)
Topic Sentence:A. Supporting Idea 1
1.2.
A Paragraph shouldhave 8 to 10
B. Supporting Idea 21.2.
C. Supporting Idea 31.2.
Concluding sentence
4. Put your supporting ideas in logical order5. For each supporting idea, think of RENNS that further explain the idea. For
balance, each supporting idea should have about the same amount of RENNS.6. Think of a concluding sentence7. Write your paragraph using sentences
Example of the Paragraph Writing Steps
Step 1: Write Topic Sentence Choosing a college or university can be difficult.
Step 2: Supporting Ideas1. good location; 2. affordable; 3. good program for intended major
Step 36: Create your Outline and Organize Information (We decided to order the supportingideas according to importance.)
Topic Sentence: Choosing a college or university can be difficult.
A. Good Preparation for your major1. thorough, interesting curriculum2. qualified professors
B. Affordable1. must be able to pay tuition/living expenses2. possibility of scholarships
C. Good location1. study location2. part time job opportunities in area of major
Concluding Sentence: You should consider these points carefully so you can choose the most appropriatecollege or university for you.
Step 7: Finally, it is time to write the paragraph using sentences and trying to make theparagraph coherent using a variety of coherence strategies.
Choosing a college or university can be difficult. The most difficult part is finding a university thatprepares you well for your future career. In order to get a good job, the curriculum that is taughtmust be thorough and up to date. In addition, the professors must be highly qualified andrespected in their fields. Another difficulty in choosing a university is affordability. You need tobe able to pay the tuition fees and living expenses. Some institutions might be able to offer youscholarships if you cannot afford the fees. A good location is also very important when choosinga college. The environment should be safe and quiet to facilitate studying. Moreover, thereshould be possibilities near the school for part time or summer jobs in your major, so you canget some practical work experience. You should consider all of these points carefully so ou canchoose the most appropriate college or university for you.
http://duke.usask.ca/~dul381/common/paragraph.html
TRANSITION WORDS
Transitions may be "Additive," "Adversative," "Causal," or "Sequential."
Additive Transitions:These show addition, introduction, similarity to other ideas, etc. . .
Addition
indeed, further, as well (as this), either (neither), not only (this) but also (that) as well,also, moreover, what is more, as a matter of fact, nor, alternatively, on the otherhand, and, furthermore, in addition (to this), besides (this), to tell you the truth, or, in fact,actually, to say nothing of, not to mention (this),too, let alone, much less
Introductionsuch as, as, particularly, including, as an illustration, for example, like, in particular, forone thing, to illustrate, for instance, especially, notably, by way of example,
Similarity similarly, in the same way, by the same token, in a like manner, equally, likewise,
Clarification that is (to say), I mean, (to) put (it) another way, in other words,
Adversative Transitions:These transitions are used to signal conflict, contradiction concession, dismissal, etc. . .
Conflict/Contrast
but, by way of contrast, while, on the other hand, however, (and) yet, whereas, though(final position), in contrast, when in fact, conversely, still
Emphasis even more, above all, indeed, more importantly, besides
Concede
but even so, nevertheless, even though, on the other hand, admittedly, however, nonetheless, despite (this), notwithstanding (this), albeit (and) still, although, in spite of (this), regardless (of this), (and) yet, though, granted (this), be that as it may,
Causal [NOT "Casual"] Transitions:These transitions signal cause/effect and reason/result, etc. . .
Cause/Reasonfor the (simple) reason that, being that, for, in view of (the fact), inasmuch as, because (of the fact), seeing that, as, owing to (the fact), due to (the fact that), inthat, since, forasmuch as,
Effect/Result as a result (of this), consequently, hence, for this reason, thus, because (of this), inconsequence, so that, accordingly as a consequence, so much (so) that, so, therefore
Sequential Transitions:These transitions are used to signal a chronological or logical sequence.
Numerical/Place in time
in the (first, second, etc.) place, initially, to start with, first of all thirdly, (&c.) to begin with, at first, for a start, secondly, after a while, afterward, at present, meanwhile,now, recently, soon, suddenly, then, immediately, in the future
Continuation subsequently, previously, eventually, next, before (this), afterwards, after (this), then
Conclusion/Show a Result
to conclude (with) as a final point, eventually, at last, last but not least, in the end, finally, lastly,
Summarize as was previously stated, so, consequently, in summary, all in all, to make a long storyshort, thus, as I have said, to sum up, overall, as has been mentioned, then, tosummarize, to be brief, briefly, given these points, in all, on the whole, therefore, as has been noted, hence, in conclusion, in a word, to put it briefly, in sum, altogether, in short,
Paragraph Writing Practice
Step One: Write a topic sentence in the space provided
Step Two: Brainstorm 3 4 supporting ideas for your topic sentence in the space provided
Step 46: Organize your supporting ideas and develop elaboration (RENNS) for each one in the topicoutline
Topic Sentence:
A1.2.
B1.2.
C1.2.
Concluding Sentence:
Step 7: Turn your topic outline into a paragraph. Be sure to use transitional words to help your ideasflow.