Paragraph and Essay Structure

Paragraph StructureParagraphsSection C4 in A Writers Reference

Hey, whats a paragraph anyway?A paragraph is a group of sentences (usually between 6 and 10 though there is no rule) that focuses on a central idea.The role of the paragraph is to cluster information around a central idea (topic sentence) that supports the essays main point.Topic SentencesEvery paragraph must have a topic sentence.A topic sentence contains a topic (what the paragraph is about)It also contains a controlling idea (what the writer thinks about the topic)

The topic sentence should be like a one-sentence summary that tells the reader what to expect in the coming paragraph.

Please look at the example on pg 24.

All living creatures manage some form of communication. The dance patterns of bees in their hive help to point the way to distant flower fields or announce successful foraging. Male stickleback fish regularly swim upside-down to indicate outrage in a courtship contest. Male deer and lemurs mark territorial ownership by rubbing their own body secretions on boundary stones or trees. Everyone has seen a frightened dog put his tail between his legs and run in panic. We, too, use gestures, expression, postures, and movement to give our words point.-Olivia Vlahos, Human BeginningsPracticeStudents at another college wrote these topic sentences. Which ones are strong? Which ones are weak? Why? How would you revise the weaker ones to make them strong?I would hate to have the age of drinking be legalized at 18.If the age limit for drinking would be lowered to 18 years old I believe that it would be a problem due to the fact that at 18 years old most of the teens arent responsible enough to handle alcohol.

Lowering the drinking age could cause teens to have many problems.

The only acceptable answer for being allowed to drink under the age of 21 is enlistment into the armed forces.

I am against lowering the national drinking age to 18.

The drinking age should not be lowered to 18 even though at 18 you are considered an adult.

Paragraph UnitySentences that dont support the topic sentence destroy paragraph unity. This means the paragraph will not be well focused, and wont help the reader understand your point.

Please look at the example on page 25

As a solution, try omitting what doesnt belong and use it in another paragraph. As the result of tax cuts, the educations facilities of Lincoln High School have reached an all-time low. Some of the books date back to 1990 and have long since shed their covers. The few computers in working order must share one printer. The lack of lab equipment makes it necessary for four or five students to work at one table, with most watching rather than performing experiments. Also, the chemistry instructor left to have a baby at the beginning of the semester and most of the students dont like the substitute. As for the furniture, many of the upright chairs have become recliners, and the desk legs are so unbalanced that they play seesaw on the floor.Group ExerciseWriter's Reference on the webDevelop the main idea/give adequate supportThere is no hard and fast rule when it comes to paragraph length. Paragraphs need to be long enough to get the job done, which means convincing the audience that youve supported your point.

See page 26.Make Paragraphs Coherent (C4-d)Link ideasRepeat key wordsUse parallel structuresMaintain consistencyProvide transitionsBasic Model of a ParagraphTopic Sentence: the main idea around which the paragraph will be builtPrimary Support: Primary supports are like the foundation of a house: we use them to set up the details or secondary supports to build the paragraph.Secondary Supports: secondary supports are the details or framework of an essay. These are the way we support the topic sentence and primary supports and give the readers the detail they need. Class Practice: Lets say we all agree with the statement every 16 year old should be given a car for their birthday.What are three Primary (big) supports we could use to support a topic sentence that agrees with that statement?Now lets fill in some details. Spend a few minutes in groups discussing these three and lets see if we can put something togetherPrimary 1: Primary 2: Primary 3:Paragraph OutlineAn outline for this paragraph would look something like this, only longer, because we have three primary supports (and this slide just isnt big enough).Topic Sentence: Primary Support: Secondary Support a (explain): SSb(example): SSc(effect/result/analysis):Activity/HomeworkIn the brainstorming activity, I asked you to draft two different topic sentences about adding two national holidays.Beginning in class, for the rest of class, and as part of your homework, please complete the paragraph outline handout based on one of your topic sentences.