Guidelines for Writing Paragraph

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Guidelines

for writing

paragraph


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Characteristics of a good paragraph

Unity

Coherence


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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;


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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 inyour 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


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Transitional words and phrases Examples

To add something also, to, in addition, furthermore

To show contrast but, yet, in contrast to, on the other hand

To give an example for example, for instance, thus

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

To show time sequence then, next, first, in the beginning

To emphasize in fact, indeed, in other words

To show relationship above, beyond, below, next to, behind,in front of

To acknowledge a point of doubt that

may be opposite to the one you are

making

although, though, even though, in spite of,

yet, even if

To summarise finally, in conclusion, consequently, thus


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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 achievebalance in a sentence

use transition words to help the reader move easily

repeat key words to attract and hold your readers

attention


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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. make the focus of the paragraph more

specific and clearer;

2. makes it easier for the reader tounderstand;


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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.


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Organising your essay

contains three parts

a. beginning (introduction)

b. middle (body)

c. end (conclusion)

introduction has three parts

a. opening sentences ( to attract reader)

b. transition (to set the stage for the thesis)c. thesis statement (sum up the essay)


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opening sentences is to attract the

reader.

techniques used:

a. use a quotation or catchy saying

b. describe a personal experience

c. ask a question

d. give a startling fact or statistics


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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;


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the conclusion summarizes the ideas

mentioned earlier and concludes the

essay;


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Types of essay

Narrative essay

Compare-contrast essay

Descriptive essay

Process essay

Cause and effect essay

Explanation essay Argumentative essay


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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 modifierse. uses conflict and sequence as does any story

f. may use dialogue


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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.


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Organising a comparison/contrast

writing

block/ parallel pattern

- listing the points of comparison on one subject firstthen 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 subjectswhich have nothing in common


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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;


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Purpose of descriptive writing

to express oneself;

to entertain;

to inform a wide audience;


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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 tellingthrough the use

of active verbs and precise modifiers


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Steps in descriptive writing

prominent sensation/ idea

perspective point

choosing facts

organising of facts

planning and drafting the descriptions


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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 afeature of a subject


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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)


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Cause and effect paragraph

clearly distinguishes between a cause

and an effect;

establishes a clear thesis statement;presents information in an effective

order;


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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.;


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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 summaryof the process in conclusion


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Steps in writing explanation

paragraph

choose a narrowed down topic to be

described thoroughly;

give details of the process in correctorder

give reasons for the order

use chronological order


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Cause Effect

because therefore

since thus

as a result of consequently

is due to hence

For beginning an explanation

at first, initially, to begin with, in the beginning, first of all, the

first step

For continuing an explanationwhile, as, at the same time, the next step, after, next, then

For ending an explanation

finally, eventually, at last, the final /last step


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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;


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elements of a persuasive argument

a. claim - the point an arguer is trying to make. Theclaim is the proposition or assertion an

arguer wants another to accept.

b. grounds - to the proof or evidence an arguer offersGrounds answers the questions, "What is

your proof?" or "How come?" or "Why?"

c. warrant - it isimplicit (unstated) and requires thelistener to recognize the underlying

reasoning that makes sense of the claim in

light of the grounds.

Toulmins Model of argument


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d. backing - provides additional justification for thewarrant;

- usually consists of evidence to support the

type of reasoning employed by the warrant

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

- states how sure the arguer is about his/her

claim

f. Rebuttal - acknowledges exceptions or limitations tothe argument.

- admits to those circumstances or

situations where the argument would not

hold.


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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)

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Guidelines for Writing Paragraph