PARAGRAPH ORGANIZATION _______________________________ How are paragraphs organized?

What is a paragraph: A paragraph is a collection of sentences expressing ideas, opinions, or beliefs about one main idea.

What is paragraph unity? A paragraph with unity has ideas that are related to each other and are presented in a logical order. Every sentence in the paragraph should be related to the main idea in some clear way. The paragraph’s main idea is stated in the topic sentence. The main idea is then supported by details – reasons and examples that support the paragraph.

What are the orders of organization? Chronological Spatial/descriptive Cause & effect Compare & Contrast Emphatic order

Chronological Order In the order in which events happen or time order First Event Second Event Third Event Earliest Point In Time Most Recent Point in Time Chrono is the Latin root for ‘time’ This is like your timeline in your social studies books This is also how stories are told

Spatial/Descriptive Order Lists the features or characteristics of what is being described This type of ordering looks at how things are arranged in space. This is how you are writing your setting description paper

Cause & Effect Order One situation causing another A certain situation causes – or results from – another. Like in physics - for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction Example # 1 – shows one action with several effects (if you tell your parents you already your homework but you haven’t, there will be several effects, such as you will be unprepared for class, possibly get a zero on the assignment, and as a consequence you might get grounded) Example #2 – shows many causes with the same consequence (for example, you woke up late, had no breakfast, and missed the bus, therefore you have a lousy day)

Compare & Contrast Order Shows similarities & differences between two topics Examines the similarities or differences between things. Example #1 – Venn diagram (this one shows two topics being compared, but you cold have 3 or more topics) Example #2 – shows a pretty fancy graphic organizer (the circle contains the similarities between the topics and the boxes will show the differences.

Emphatic Order Details are presented in the order of importance or for emphasis. The reverse is also true – details could be presented in reverse emphatic order (from least to most important) All of these can be found on page 11 of your Writer’s Handbook along with page 12, which contain a list of transitional words and phrases that are used while writing.

All of these can be found on page 11 of your Writer’s Handbook along with page 12, which contain a list of transitional words and phrases that are used while writing. Use this when you write!!!!