Writing 1 The Second Semester 2015-2016 Unit 6: Definition Paragraph Presented by Dr. Mohamed Sha’at

The objective of the Session Students are expected to: Find out the topic sentences of some paragraphs. Write some example sentences correctly. Mention the steps of writing good definitions. Go through some definition paragraphs. Ask and answer some questions.

In our last lecture we have gone through two paragraphs In our last lecture we have gone through two paragraphs. What are the topic sentences of these paragraphs? 1- The dictionary definition of gumbo does not make it sound as delicious as it really is. 2- According to the American Heritage Dictionary, gossip is a trivial rumor of a personal nature. Now read the third paragraph about Pretzels, p.94, and try to write down its topic sentence. The pretzel, which is a salted and grazed biscuit that is shaped like a knot, has an interesting history. How is this sentence different from the topic sentences in the first two examples?

Ss. should go through item 3, p. 95 Ss. should go through item 3, p.95. Then, they should write a topic sentence about giraffe. Discuss how can they write the whole paragraph. A giraffe is the tallest living quadruped which have a spotted coat and small horns and very long neck and legs. This animal lives in savannah of tropical Africa. To write a complete paragraph about a giraffe you can answer the following questions: 1-What does it eat? 2-What is its number in the world? 3- Does it face any danger such as dying out? 4- What can people do to protect this animal? Ss. Can answer question 5, p. 95. They should work in pairs to ask and answer questions about Pretzel Paragraph.

Steps or categories of extending definitions: 1- Start with a dictionary definition, but do not stop there. 2- Give a historical origin of the word. 3- Classify the parts of the term. 4- Say what the term is not. 5- Give examples. 6- Explain the function of the terms.

Include Examples Good writers include examples, especially when they are writing about a difficult or abstract topic. If your reader know something about your topic, do not write many examples. But if the topic is new, you should write sufficient examples that help make the item clear. Where to put an example? P.100 The best place to put an example is usually just after you have explained an idea. If your paragraph compares two ideas, explain both ideas first, then provide examples of these ideas for the readers.

Discuss the following example, p Discuss the following example, p.100: Superstitions, which are irrational believes, are found in different cultures. One clear example of this phenomenon is that people might believe that a certain number is lucky or unlucky. For example, many North Americans think that 7 is a lucky number but the Chinese believe 4 is unlucky one. Note how the writer provide his example; the American and Chinese, after making sure that the item; superstitions, is clear to the readers. How to begin an example: A writer might begin a sentence with an example using: For example, For instance, or An example of this is…..

Consider the following paragraph about ‘Education’ Consider the following paragraph about ‘Education’. Education is knowledge, skills or ability developed or obtained by a learning process. Education is not carried out only at schools, but it occurs in different places such as clubs, societies and meetings. A good example of education is psychology while a bad example of education is sorcery. The function of education is to help people cope with their environment. Really, education lightens a person path as educated person tends to think before he acts, but an uneducated person does not think scientifically.

Polling How can you grade this meeting? A = excellent, B = very good, C = good or D = fair.

Dr. Mohammed Sha’at