Lecture 6 What is Paragraph?1. Paragraph Structure2. Topic sentence3. Supporting evidence

According to their position and function in an essayParagraphs are divided into : --introductory paragraphs --middle paragraphs --concluding paragraphsIn this lecture only the characteristics of middle paragraphs are focused on

1. Whats paragrapha paragraph is a group of sentences that makes a clear point about a subject and includes information directly related to that point1the topic sentence2 ( the supporting sentences3( concluding sentence

describe somethingargue about somethingquestion something)demand somethingdefine somethingreject something

1-1 We all know that cigarette smoking is a dangerous habit because it causes health problems. Doctors say it can be a direct cause of cancer of the lungs and throat and can also contribute to cancer of other organs In addition it can bring about other health problems such as heart and lung diseases It is clearly identified as one of the chief causes of death in our society

We all know that cigarette smoking is a dangerous habitbecause it causes health problems 1. Doctors say it can be a direct cause of cancer of the lungs and throat and can also contribute to cancer of other organs 2. It can bring about other health problems such as heart and lung diseases It is clearly identified as one of the chief causes of death in our society

What kind of health problems does cigarette smoking cause

1-2The need for wildlife protection is greater now than ever beforeAbout a thousand species of animals are in danger of extinction,and the rate at which they are being destroyed has increased With mammals for instance the rate of extinction is now about one species every year from A. D.1 to 1800 the rate was about one species every fifty years Everywhere men are trying to solve the problem of preserving wildlife while caring at the same time for the worlds growing population

Write the following:

Topic Sentence____________________________________________Details 1______________________________________________ 2______________________________________________

3_________________________________________________

Concluding Sentence_________________________________________________

1-3The Americans and the British not only speak the same language but also share a large number of social customsFor example in both America and England people shake hands when they meet each other for the first time Also most English men will open a door for a woman or offer their seat to a woman and so will most Americans Promptness is important both in England and in America That is if a dinner invitation is for 7 oclock the dinner guest either arrives close to that time or calls up to explain his delay

Write the following:

Topic Sentence____________________________________________Details 1______________________________________________ 2______________________________________________

3_________________________________________________

Concluding Sentence_________________________________________________

2. Paragraph Lengthparagraphs are the building blocks of writingwhich are relatively independent but still closely related to each otherThe foremost thing you should do is to signal that a particular paragraph discusses one aspect of your subjectIn this wayyou help your readers to understand how you have organized your materials

Avoid too long a paragraph (since it is difficult for readers to follow you and uninviting to read) Be careful in using onesentence paragraph that can confuse readersexcept for the purpose of transition or emphasis series of short paragraphs may cause the reader to lose the sense of how they are related to each other or to the thesis of the writing

3Paragraph Structure

Two basic methods of organizing materials in a paragraph:to begin with your topic sentence and then provide evidence to support the point You may fill in examplesreasons and other detailsThis method places immediate emphasis on your point to begin with these details and examples and gradually lead readers to a conclusion--the point you want to makeIt emphasizes the process of analysis that leads you to the point

1At the beginning 2At the end 3In the middle 4Implied

Exercise -1Directions Read the following paragraphs and identify the topic sentence If it is implied summarize it yourself1But no matter what it is called all polyester has certain good points It does not wrinkle easily It dries quickly after it is washed It holds its shape It is strong and keeps its colors wellTopic Sentence____________________________________________Position________________

2Black is the colour of mourning Red symbolizes dangerviolenceor bloodshed If you are afraid you are yellow None of these sayings is true outside the English speaking world In China and Korea white is the color of mourning In Russia red stands for beauty and life In Italy and Germany you are yellow with angernot with fear

Topic Sentence_____________________________________________

Position__________________

3Suppose youre playing a game You make a silly mistake and lose Do you become angry Or can you laugh at yourself and hope to do better next time Suppose you are at a special dinnerYou accidentally spill some foodWhy keep worrying about how clumsy you lookWhy not laugh it off and enjoy yourself anywayIf you can its good sign you've really grown up

Topic Sentence____________________________________________

Position____________

4Young men sometimes bring edelweiss back for their girlfriends The girls think of the flowers as a proof of true loveMountain climbers guides and hunters pick edelweiss tooThey wear it on their hats To them it is a sign of courage and daringTopic Sentence____________________________________________Position____________

4. Topic Sentence1: .A topic sentence expresses a point which supports your thesis--- must be an opinion or attitudenot a fact--- a clear topic sentence is as a control of the content--- sometimes the point may be implied only.

21Affirmative Sentence Example The need for wildlife protection is greater now than ever before 2Rhetorical Sentence Example How do you think people will solve the problem of wildlife protection 3Fragments Example And the workingman

31Example 1 Two causes of the American Civil War There were two causes that led to the American Civil War

2controllers Air travel is more convenient than train for at least three reasons air travel topic train aspect air travelreasonsaspectreason

3 In Hemingway's story Soldiers HomeKrebs tells his mother that he wants no part of God's Kingdom In Hemingway's story Soldiers Home Kreb is a lonely cynical veteranlonelycynical

Let me tell you something about overpopulation Why has the world population been increasing so rapidly in the last decades the reasons for overpopulation in the last decadescausetime

4)Distinguish your subject from your point you intend to make about that subjectA good topic sentence should enable you to control over the content of a paragraph by clarifying what belongs and what doesnt

Topic:Your parttime working experience in a broadcasting corporationIf your topic Sentence is: I worked as a parttime translator in the broadcasting corporation (neither you nor your reader has any idea what your attitude towards or opinion about that job is)

The topic sentences below give a much better idea Working parttime in the broadcasting corporation almost eliminated my social life Working parttime in the broadcasting corporation introduced me to the real side of society Working parttime in the broadcasting corporation became an increasingly attracting experience

5)The opinion or attitude in a topic sentence should have supporting evidenceTopic Sentence: The weather is miserable ---high humidity ---no breeze ---bad pollution ---plus 38 degrees temperature So this topic sentence is well written

6) A definite inclination should be given in the topic sentenceI went to Hainan on vacation last week (not a good topic sentence) Revised One: I spent a perfect week on vacation in Hainan (the wordperfect is a clear guide and all the evidence under this guide may be presented to convince the reader that your vacation is perfect

Supporting Evidence In the body of the paragraph you develop the point stated by the topic sentence through sufficient and specific evidenceNo matter what way you have chosen to develop a paragraphexamples are always necessaryThe examples will be used more effectively if you observe the following guidelines

1) Choose typical examples The reform of public health services is unfair for a big group of people If you support your position by giving the example of your fatherwho was bronchitic and diabetic and was in need of a great amount of medicine every month but was forced to pay for the medical care all by himselfIf you used only this example to support your argument, readers might objectsaying that your fathers case was not typical and therefore was poor evidence

2) Use examples to illustrate any important statement 3) Integrate your examples smoothly for example / to illustratelet me illustrate / let me cite as proofis exemplified byThis can be illstrated inConsider for exampleaccording to statistical evidenceto substantiate

In class writing TopicsYou are allowed 30minutes to write a composition on the topic: Friendship according to the following OUTLINE. Your composition should be no less than 150 words. OUTLINEFriendship is important to us.But real friendship is not easy to come by.Real friendship should be able to stand all sorts of tests.it is advisable to have as many good friends as we can.