Topics to be covered:

Paragraph constructionTypes of paragraphs

General to specificProblem/solution

Paragraph issues* using definitions* internal flow – linking words* using articles* summary words

This style is similar to how introductions and discussions are structured

General structurea. topic sentence (general)b. then more specific statements c. support/examples from the literatured. summary or lead in to next paragraph

Exercise: Academic Writing (Bailey) pg. 80

How to start a paragraph? General statements, statement of facts or definitions

General opening statementse.g. Over the years interest in the economic benefits

of meetings tourism has been growing.

Statements of factse.g. In the last decade, HIV/AIDS drugs have been

produced much more inexpensively allowing access by individuals with low incomes.

Definitions

Biotechnology, a multi-disciplinary field drawing from molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics, is a rapidly growing science.

Definitions- Commonly used- can be full sentences

e.g. We define the haplotype percentage as the ratio of known haploids to the total ploidy.

or part of sentence

e.g. The haplotype percentage, defined as the ratio of known haploids to the total ploidy, is an important measure in genetic diversity.

DefinitionsCommonly used phrases:

Refers to….Defined as…Is known as ….

Exercise on definitions pg. 53 in Swales & Feak

Which type? Generalization, facts or definitions

Personal choice but in all cases should be general

Try pg. 48 of Swales and Feak

Used in introduction towards the end where you build up to your hypothesis/central argument.

General structure:Situation – current claims

Problem – reasons for why more information is needed

Solution – other ways of looking at the problem/leading into research question or argument

An example: Literature review ending with….the

following:

These studies indicate that a more accurate percentage for English would be around 50% rather than 80%. (situation and summary sentence)

However, so far no major international study exists to corroborate such a conclusion. (problem) In an attempt to gain an understanding of the global picture of language use, we present the findings of the first international survey of English in research and scholarship. (solution)

You can use a number of phrase to introduce the problem to which your paper offers a solution.

It is not clear, however, whether….

Despite this, little progress has been made…

Nevertheless, the issue of clarity remains…..

It has not been determined….

There is some question….

We need to know….

Another issue raised is….

Current studies provide little information…..