Seminar 3 Writing a strong paragraph

What is a paragraph? Let’s hear some ideas from you on what a paragraph is. Let’s hear some ideas from you on what a paragraph is.

The paragraph The paragraph A body paragraph (not introduction and conclusion) begins with a topic sentence. A body paragraph (not introduction and conclusion) begins with a topic sentence. What is a topic sentence? What is a topic sentence? What must be included in the topic sentence? What must be included in the topic sentence? What must not be included in the topic sentence? What must not be included in the topic sentence?

Let’s get some practice Let’s look at a completely different topic. Let’s look at a completely different topic. The topic sentence is: “Sunshine helps people overcome depression.” The topic sentence is: “Sunshine helps people overcome depression.” What would the subsequent sentences say? What would the subsequent sentences say? What must be avoided in the subsequent sentences? What must be avoided in the subsequent sentences? What do you include in the concluding sentence? What do you include in the concluding sentence?

Let’s apply it ● Topic sentence: “Superman is an example of a person who showed courage, the ability to overcome fear, by crossing his own personal threshold, which is stepping outside of one’s own preconceived notions and just taking a leap of faith.” Or “Superman is an example of someone who showed courage and crossed his own personal threshold.” Or “Superman is an example of a person who crossed a threshold by showing courage.” ● What would subsequent sentences say according to the requirements?

Things to keep in mind Avoid repetition For example: Sunshine helps people overcome depression. Research has shown that sunshine activates a chemical, called ABC, inside the brain. Once the chemical is activated, blood flow to the brain increases, and the person feels more alert. This triggers a chain reaction. First, the person seeks a constructive activity to which to channel his energy. He looks around for something to do. Having found this, he applies himself to overcoming obstacles until he achieves the desired result. The challenges might be difficult, but the person does not give up (Smith, 2011). In the end, it’s the sunshine that keeps a person going through difficulty. Sunshine helps people overcome depression. Research has shown that sunshine activates a chemical, called ABC, inside the brain. Once the chemical is activated, blood flow to the brain increases, and the person feels more alert. This triggers a chain reaction. First, the person seeks a constructive activity to which to channel his energy. He looks around for something to do. Having found this, he applies himself to overcoming obstacles until he achieves the desired result. The challenges might be difficult, but the person does not give up (Smith, 2011). In the end, it’s the sunshine that keeps a person going through difficulty.

More things to keep in mind Use transition phrases What are two ways to use transitions? Look at the paragraph without transitions: Sunshine helps people overcome depression. Research has shown that sunshine activates a chemical, called ABC, inside the brain. Blood flows to the brain, and the person feels more alert, which sets off a chain reaction. The person seeks a constructive activity to which to channel his energy. He applies himself to overcoming obstacles until he achieves the desired result (Smith, 2011). In the end, it’s the sunshine that keeps a person going through difficulty.

Using transitions Let’s look at the paragraph with transitions Sunshine helps people overcome depression by activating a chemical, called ABC, inside the brain. This increases blood flow to the brain, and the person feels more alert, which sets off a chain reaction. First, the person seeks a constructive activity to which to channel his energy. Having found this, he applies himself to overcoming obstacles until he achieves the desired result (Smith, 2011). In the end, it’s the sunshine that keeps a person going through difficulty.

Using transitions The two types of transitions shown above are A. using transition words – what are some examples? Using ab-bc

Concluding sentence What should a concluding sentence say? What can you do to make it less repetitive? How is a concluding sentence different than a topic sentence?