Paragraphs

Sentence VarietyUsing a variety of sentences in your writing can make your writing more interesting for the reader.

Example: by Gary Provost

This sentence has five words. Here are five more words. Five word sentences are fine. But several together become monotonous. Listen to what is happening. The writing is getting boring. The sound of it drones. It is like a stuck record. The ear demands some variety.

Sentence VarietyNow listen.

I vary the sentence length, and I create music. Music. The writing sings. It has a pleasant rhythm, a lilt, a harmony. I use short sentences. And i use sentences of medium lenth.

And sometimes, when I am certain the reader is rested, i will engage them with a sentence of considerable length, a sentence that burns with energy and builds with all the impetus of a crescendo, the roll of the drums, the crash of the cymbals - sounds that say listen to this, it is important.

Paragraphs

Writing that is longer than a few sentences is organized into paragraphs.

A paragraph is a group of sentences that all relate to the same topic.

Paragraphs can include different types of information about the same topic.

ParagraphsThe topic of a paragraph is usually stated in the first sentence.

This sentence is called the topic sentence and all other sentences add details about the topic. They are called supporting sentences.

Some paragraphs also have a concluding sentence, which summarizes the ideas of the paragraph (this is the last sentence of the paragraph)

SampleThe first sentence of the paragraph is indented. Each additional paragraph will begin on a new line with an indented first sentence.

we will use this formatting for all assignments in the course unless other wise specified

The other format is called block formatting and it is most commonly used when writing business letters or formal letters.

In block formatting, there are no indents at the beginning of paragraphs, instead we skip a line in between paragraphs to show a new topic.

Topic Sentence

When you write a paragraph the first thing you need to do is to state your main point in one clear sentence called the topic sentence.

The rest of the paragraph should develop and support the point you made in the topic sentence.

The topic sentence is the most important part of your paragraph because it controls all of the other sentences.

Topic Sentence

A topic sentence must do two things:

state the topic (the main idea)

identify the focus (main emphasis)

Topic Sentence

Look at this topic sentence.

Nuclear power is our greatest hope for solving the energy crisis.

What is the topic of this sentence?

What is the focus?

Topic Sentence

Look at this topic sentence.

Nuclear power is our greatest hope for solving the energy crisis.

What is the topic of this sentence? Nuclear Power

What is the focus? Solving the energy crisis

Topic Sentence

Look at this topic sentence.

Nuclear power is a huge threat to life on the planet.

What is the topic of this sentence?

What is the focus?

Topic Sentence

Look at this topic sentence.

Nuclear power is a huge threat to life on the planet.

What is the topic of this sentence? Nuclear power

What is the focus? Threat to life on the planet

Supporting Sentences

Once you have created your topic sentence, you will use the following sentences to support your subject and focus

The supporting sentences can include reasons, facts and examples.

Try to make supporting sentences as specific as possible

Be cautious not to repeat your topic sentence

Sample 1

Our family trip to Costa Rica last summer was very exciting. Everyday we saw something new and different. One day we went hiking. Another day we took a rafting tip down a river. We saw lots of unusual plants and animals that we had never seen before. We did many things that we will never forget. Everyone agreed that this was the best trip we have ever taken.

Sample 2

Our family trip to Costa Rica last summer was very exciting. We were there for two weeks, and not a day went by without something unusual happening. On our second day, a boa constrictor swam right in front of us while we were rafting down the Rio Claro. Another day, spider monkeys threw branches at us deep in the rain forest. Hiking on the primitive trails in Corcovado National Park, we saw brilliant scarlet macaws and toucans with huge yellow beaks. Whenever we look at the picture from out trip, we all agree that it was the most exciting one we have ever taken.

Unity

In addition to writing a clear topic sentence and providing adequate support, you must create unity in your paragraphs.

Every sentence needs to contribute to the main idea.

If a sentence does not relate to the main idea it is irrelevant. You should eliminate irrelevant sentences from your paragraph so you do not confuse the reader.

Sample I love the location of my new house. For one thing, it is in a very safe neighbourhood, and I am not afraid to go out alone. There is almost no crime, and most people do not even lock their doors. In addition, the neighbourhood is in a convenient location. Lots of stores, schools, and restaurants are nearby. Within a few miles, there is also a library, health and fitness centres, and a movie theatre. most of all, I really like the people who live in this area. They are friendly and helpful and seem to want to keep our community safe and clean. My new house is roomy, comfortable, and sunny, but I need to buy some more furniture. I definitely chose a great location to buy a house.

Using Transitions

Transitions are signals that show the connection between one idea and the next

They guide the reader through a paragraph and make it easier to understand

On the next slides, I will give you examples of different kinds of transitions.

Transitions for Time Relationships

afteras

as soon asat last

at this pointbefore

by the timeduringearlier

eventuallyever sinceevery year

finallyfirst

from then onin between

latermeanwhile

nextrecently

sincesoon afterward

the next (day, week, etc)

thentoday while

Transitions for Spatial Relationships

aboveacross

at the centrebehindbelow

besidebetween

in back ofin front of

nearnext to

to the leftto the right

Transitions for Additional Ideas

alsoanother reason

besidesfinallyfirst

first of all

furthermorein addition

lastlast but not least

moreovermost importantly

nextone reason

secondthe most important

reasonthe third reason

Transitions for Examplesas an illustration

especiallyfor examplefor instancespecifically

such asto illustrate

Remember, if you would like more transitions you can always use a thesaurus to find others, but make sure they fit

your context and you understand what they mean before you use them.

Planning ParagraphsYou can organize your ideas in many different ways, you can use the “hamburger technique”, create a concept map or simply list your ideas on a scrap piece of paper.

The planning of a paragraph is very important so you can stay on track in your writing

Getting in the habit of planning your writing now will make larger assignments more manageable and better thought out.

Hamburger Technique

Concept Map

Topic Sentence

Supporting Sentence #3

Supporting Sentence #2

Supporting Sentence #1

Conclusion

List

Topic Sentence

Supporting Sentence

Supporting Sentence

Supporting Sentence

Concluding Sentence