Overview of the structure of a paragraph Understanding a paragraph

Overview of the Overview of the structure of a structure of a

paragraphparagraph

Overview of the Overview of the structure of a structure of a

paragraphparagraph

Understanding a paragraphUnderstanding a paragraph

• A paragraph is a group of sentences about a single topic. Together, the sentences of the paragraph explain the writer’s main idea about the topic. In academic writing, a paragraph is often between five and ten sentences long. But it can be longer or shorter, depending on the topic. The first sentence of a paragraph is usually indented a few spaces.

Paragraph Organization• The topic sentence• The supporting sentences• The concluding sentence

The topic and the main idea

• The topic sentence• Circle the topic of the sentence

and underline the main idea about the topic

1. Indonesia is a very interesting country to visit.

2. Dogs make excellent pets.3. A really good place to study is

the library at my school.

4. Learning a second language creates job opportunities.

5. Soccer is my favorite sport because it is exciting to watch.

6. One of the most valuable tools for students is the computer.

7. My sister and I have very different personalities.

8. Summer is the best time to travel in my country.

9. My hometown is a friendly place to live.

Number the parts in order1. Topic sentence, 2. supporting

sentences, and 3 concluding sentence

Topic: What should I study at university?

a. It wasn’t an easy decision, but for the reasons listed above, I have decided to study journalism.

b. It can be difficult to choose a subject to study in college because there are so many choices, but by considering my skills and interests, I have decided to study journalism.

c. I have always enjoyed writing, so it is sensible to choose a major that involves writing. When I begin working, I would like to have the opportunity to travel, and travel is often an important part of a journalist’s job. Finally, I am also interested in photography, and pictures are very important in journalism.

concluding sentence indentedmain idea paragraph topicsupporting sentences topic sentence1. The ____ is usually the first sentence in a

____. It gives the ___ and the ____.2. The first sentence of a paragraph should

be _______.3. The ____ come after the topic sentence,

and they explain the topic sentence.4. The _____ comes at the end of a

paragraph.

Comparison and contrast paragraph

Procedure for developing a comparison and contrast paragraph to show similarities and differences

A comparison tells you what features are similar.When you contrast two items, you show the differences between them.

• Purposes1. to persuade2. to inform3. to show relationships

• Points: to come up with a list of ideas or points you could applye.g. family members

attitude toward familyposition in a communityjudgment in solving family

problemsSocial background

Block Organization: Paragraph 1 (College Writing

p.45)

• Topic sentence: Reading a story is often very different from seeing it as a movie.

• Topic A- reading a book– Supporting points

1.2.

• Topic B- ______– Supporting points

1.2.

Point-by-point organization• Topic sentence: Marilyn Monroe and

Princess Diana lived at different times in different countries, but their lives had some surprising similarities.

• First point of comparison- difficult childhoodA1:____B1: Princess Diana- mother left family.

• Second point of comparison-____A2: B2: Princess Diana-married Prince Charles, later

separated from him.

• Patterns1. Block organization (Subject by subject): all of one side and then all of the otherI. Dr. Cliff Huxtable

a. Family membersb. His attitude toward familyc. His judgment in solving family

problemsII. Al Bundy

a. Family membersb. His attitude toward familyc. His judgment in solving family

problems

2. Point-by-point: to show the points in relation to the sides (subjects) one at a time. This is the more common pattern.

I. Family membersa. Dr. Cliff Huxtable

(1) details(2) details

b. Al Bundy(1) details(2) details

II. Attitude toward familyIII.

Exercise1. friends: Marla and Justine

(1) Marlaa. appearanceb.c.

(2) Justine

2. Two bosses: Mr. Santo and Ms. Eliot(1) disposition

a. Mr. Santo b. Ms. Eliot

(2) Knowledge of ____(3) _____

Contrast Indicators

Sentence connectors Clause connectors

others

However although but

nevertheless Even though yet

In contrast while Despite+N

On the other hand whereas In spite of+N

On the contrary

Comparison Indicators

Sentence connectors

Clause connectors

others

similarly as (just) like +N

likewise just as Similar to N

also and Same as N

Both….and…

Not only…but also

Possible topics• Two diets• Two fast-food places• Two textbooks• Two careers• Two generations• Two actors, singers, musicians• Two ways of learning• Two ways of exercising• Two mothers: housewife & career

woman

Using comparative structuresA And B: The man and the woman are

tall. The baby crawls and smiles at his mom.

Both A and B: Both my neighbor and I are selling our cars.

Neither …nor: Neither Joe nor Steve went to the meeting last night.

Either…or….: Either my brother or my sister can do it for me.

Not only ….but also

1. He spends his Saturdays working on his antique cars or to go to ball games.

2. That commercial was neither accurate nor was it entertaining.

3. Teresa hoped to travel to Alaska and to stay with friends.

4. The banquet table in the great dining hall was long, narrow, and it was dirty.