Week 3 Paragraph Formation

Remember: In writing a good paragraph, Two things will help a lot; An effective topic sentence, And just one subject thought. J. H. Dawson, Weed Scientist, Prosser, WA 99350

Paragraphs Paragraphs are the building blocks from which a business letter or report is made. Authors must be able to construct effective paragraphs in order to write effective reports.

Definition By definition, a paragraph is a subdivision of a written composition that develops a single idea, thought, or point.

Paragraph Function Paragraphs serve three functions: 1. They provide logical breaks in the subject matter. 2. They aid reading by physically breaking the composition into observable units. 3. They logically develop and complete the thought expressed in the topic sentence.

Drafting Meaningful Paragraphs To avoid muddled paragraphs, writers should be able to recognize  basic paragraph elements,  conventional sentence patterns,  and ways to organize sentences into one of three classic paragraph patterns.

Drafting Meaningful Paragraphs Writers must also be able to polish their paragraphs by linking sentences and using traditional expressions.

Well-Constructed Paragraphs Well-constructed paragraphs discuss only one topic. They reveal the primary idea in a topic sentence that usually, but not always, appears first.

Three Kinds of Sentences Paragraphs can be composed of three types of sentences:  Topic sentences  Supporting sentences  Limiting sentences

Topic Sentences A topic sentence expresses the primary idea of a paragraph.

Supporting sentences A supporting sentence illustrates, explains, or strengthens the primary idea

Limiting Sentences A limiting sentence opposes the primary idea by suggesting a negative or contrasting thought. A limiting sentence can precede or follow the main sentence.

Three Classic Paragraph Plans Topic, supporting, and limiting sentences can be arranged in three classic paragraph plans: direct, pivoting, and indirect.

Direct Paragraph Patter The direct paragraph pattern is appropriate when defining, classifying, illustrating, or describing.

Direct Plan Paragraphs arranged in the direct plan begin with the topic sentence, followed by the supporting sentences. Most technical messages use this paragraph plan because it clarifies the subject immediately. This plan is useful whenever you must define (a new product or procedure), classify (parts of a whole), illustrate (an idea), or describe (a process).

The Pivoting Paragraph Plan The pivoting paragraph plan is appropriate when comparing and contrasting.

The Pivoting Paragraph Plan Paragraphs arranged in a pivoting paragraph plan start with a limiting sentence that offers a contrasting or negative idea before delivering a topic sentence. The pivoting plan is especially useful for comparing and contrasting ideas. In using the pivoting plan, be sure to emphasize the turn in direction with an obvious but or however.

Indirect Paragraph Plan The indirect paragraph pattern is appropriate when explaining, persuading, or delivering bad news.

Indirect Paragraph Plan Paragraphs arranged in indirect plan start with the supporting sentences and conclude with the topic sentence. This useful plan enables you to build a rationale, a foundation of reasons, before hitting the audience with a big idea—possibly one that is bad news. It enables you to explain your reasons and then in the final sentence draw a conclusion from them.

Building Paragraph Coherence Coherent paragraphs link ideas by sustaining the main idea, using pronouns, dovetailing sentences, and using transitional expressions.

Building Paragraph Coherence Paragraphs are coherent when ideas cohere—that is when one idea leads logically to the next. Well-written paragraphs take the reader through a number of steps.

Sustaining the Key Idea Repeating a key expression or using a similar one helps sustain a key idea:  Our philosophy holds that every customer is really a guest. All new employees to our theme parks are trained to treat guests as VIPs. These VIPs are never told what they can or cannot do.

Dovetailing Sentences Sentences are dovetailed when an idea at the end of one connects with an idea at the beginning of the next. Dovetailing of sentences is especially helpful with dense, difficult topics.

Dovetailing Sentences  New hosts and hostesses learn about the theme park and its facilities. These facilities include telephone, food services, washrooms, and attractions, as well as the location of offices. Knowledge of administrative offices and the internal workings of the company, such as who’s who in administration, ensures that staffers will be available to serve guests fully. Serving guests, of course, is our priority.

Using Pronouns Familiar pronouns such as we, they, he, she, and it help build continuity, as do demonstrative pronouns, such as this, that, these, and those. These words confirm that something under discussion is still being discussed.

Using Pronouns However, be careful with such pronouns. They often need a noun with them to make their meaning absolutely clear.

Example All new park employees receive a two- week orientation. They learn that every staffer has a vital role in preparing for the show. This training includes ways to maintain enthusiasm.

The most logically coherent form for a paragraph presenting an inductive argument is as follows: 1. Topic sentence, an argumentative assertion announcing the main point the paragraph is seeking to make, perhaps followed by one or two sentences reinforcing and clarifying the argumentative stance in this paragraph; 2. Evidence in the form of direct references to the text, quotations, and so on; 3. Interpretation of the evidence, a section which discusses in detail how the particular evidence you have introduced helps to back up the argumentative point announced in the topic sentence; 4. (Optional) Any qualifications you want to introduce to limit the argument, and especially to clarify the reliability of the evidence and thus the interpretations you have made of it; 5. Final summary point bringing the reader back to the point stressed in the topic sentence.

Transition Words Transition words help bridge the thoughts from one paragraph to the next. Such words are especially helpful when separate paragraphs develop related aspects of the same idea. Words like although, nevertheless, besides, etc. lead the reader logically from one paragraph to the next, and tie the thoughts together.

Including Transitional Expressions Transitional expressions enable the receiver to  anticipate what’s coming  reduce uncertainty  and speed up comprehension.

Transitional Words and Expressions To add or strengthen To show time or order To clarify AdditionallyAfterFor example AccordinglyBeforeFor instance AgainEarlierI mean AlsoFinallyIn other words BesidesFirstPut another way IndeedMeanwhileThat is LikewiseNextThis means

Transitional Expressions To Show Cause and Effect To ContradictTo Contrast AccordinglyActuallyAs opposed to As a resultButAt the same time ConsequentlyHoweverIn contrast For this reasonIn factConversely HenceInsteadOn the contrary SoRatherOn the other hand ThereforeStillSimilarly

In writing a good paragraph, Two things will help a lot; An effective topic sentence, And just one subject thought. J. H. Dawson, Weed Scientist, Prosser, WA 99350