Writing a Paragraph Paragraphs: Consist of one or more sentences about a single thought Usually have more than one sentence Never have more than one idea. (Sentences must be related to the main idea.)

Example of an Effective Paragraph Personally, I think that people are less likely to be courteous to others these days. There are several reasons why this is so. One such reason is that there are simply more people, and so we may feel as though we must interact when we simply don't want to. A survey conducted in 2009 indicated that 87% of Americans feel forced to deal with others more than ever before (Smith 43). Another reason why discourtesy seems to be on the rise is the increasingly fast pace of our lives. “People are trying to juggle more than ever before and simple courtesies are often neglected in an effort to save time” (Jensen 22). And lastly, we are less courteous and respectful to one another perhaps because we see so many models for rude behavior, especially in television and movies “In shows like ‘The Simpsons’ rude behavior is commonplace and acceptable” (Lipton 10). Discourtesy is clearly an increasing problem that needs a solution.

Elements of an Effective Paragraph Topic Sentence (generates interest and states the main idea): Personally, I think that people are less likely to be courteous to others these days. Transition to Preview of Supports: There are several reasons why this is so. Details - First Point and Support (introduces Main Point #1 and gives information and examples with citation) One such reason is that there are simply more people, and so we may feel as though we must interact when we simply don't want to. A survey conducted in 2009 indicated that 87% of Americans feel forced to deal with others more than ever before (Smith 43).

Writing a Paragraph Details – Second Point and Support (introduces Main Point #2 and gives information and examples with citation) Another reason why discourtesy seems to be on the rise is the increasingly fast pace of our lives. “People are trying to juggle more than ever before and simple courtesies are often neglected in an effort to save time” (Jensen 22). Details - Third Point and Support (introduces Main Point #3and gives information and examples with citation) And lastly, we are less courteous and respectful to one another perhaps because we see so many models for rude behavior, especially in television and movies “In shows like ‘The Simpsons’ rude behavior is commonplace and acceptable”(Lipton 10). Concluding Sentence (restates the topic sentence and often leaves the reader with something to think about: Discourtesy is clearly an increasing problem that needs a solution.

Writing a Paragraph Part of a ParagraphReasonExample Topic Sentence To generate interest States the main idea Personally, I think that people are less likely to be courteous to others these days. Details First Point and Support Introduces Main Point #1 and gives information or examples One such reason is that there are simply more people, and so we may feel as though we must interact when we simply don't want to. A survey conducted in 2009 indicated that 87% of Americans feel forced to deal with others more than ever before. (Smith 43) Details Second Point and Support Introduces Main Point #2 and gives information or examples Another reason why discourtesy seems on the rise is the increasingly fast pace of our lives. “People are trying to juggle more than ever before and simple courtesies are often neglected in an effort to save time” (Jensen 22). Details Third Point and Support Introduces Main Point #3 and gives information or examples And lastly, we are less courteous and respectful to one another perhaps because we see so many models for rude behavior, especially in television and movies “In shows like ‘The Simpsons’ rude behavior is commonplace and acceptable.” (Lipton 10). Concluding Sentence Restates the topic sentence Often leaves the reader with something to think about. Discourtesy is clearly an increasing problem that needs a solution.

Example of a Poor Paragraph 1 It is a fact that capitole punishmint is not a deterrent to crime. 2 Statistixs show that in stats with capital punishment, murder rates are the same or almost the same as in stats without capitole punishmint. 3 Besides, I just don’t agree with it and it is more expensif to put a person on death row than in life imprisonment because of the costs of maximum securitee. 4 Unfortunitly, capital punishment has been used unjustly. 5 Statistics show that every execution is of a man and that nine out of ten are black. 6 So prejudise shows right through. Problems with this paragraph:  Spelling errors in sentences 1,2, 3 and 6  Personal opinion in sentences 3 and 6  Citations are missing from sentence 2, 3 and 5  There is a shift of focus from the main idea that “capital punishment is not a deterrent to crime” in sentences 3, 4, 5 and 6 (off-topic)  There is no concluding sentence which should restate in some way that capital punishment does not reduce crime rates.

Citations – MLA Style In-Text Citations: In MLA style, referring to the works of others in your text is done by using what is known as parenthetical citation. This method involves placing source information in parentheses after a quote or a paraphrase. Ex. 1: Wordsworth stated that Romantic poetry was marked by a "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (263). Ex. 2: Romantic poetry is characterized by the "spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 263). Ex. 3: Wordsworth extensively explored the role of emotion in the creative process (263). MLA (Modern Language Association) style is most commonly used to write papers and cite sources within the liberal arts and humanities.

Citations – MLA Style The citations in these examples tell readers that the information in the sentence can be located on page 263 of a work by an author named Wordsworth. If readers want more information about this source, they can turn to the Works Cited page, where, under the name of Wordsworth, they would find the following information: Wordsworth, William. Lyrical Ballads. London: Oxford U.P., Print

Citations – MLA Style Sources will be listed at the end of each on-line posting. You will use an on- line citation website which will convert your sources into MLA style. So a posting will look like this: Personally, I think that people are less likely to be courteous to others these days. There are several reasons why this is so. One such reason is that there are simply more people, and so we may feel as though we must interact when we simply don't want to. A survey conducted in 2009 indicated that 87% of Americans feel forced to deal with others more than ever before (Smith 43). Another reason why discourtesy seems to be on the rise is the increasingly fast pace of our lives. “People are trying to juggle more than ever before and simple courtesies are often neglected in an effort to save time” (Jensen 22). And lastly, we are less courteous and respectful to one another perhaps because we see so many models for rude behavior, especially in television and movies “In shows like ‘The Simpsons’ rude behavior is commonplace and acceptable.” (Lipton 10). Discourtesy is clearly an increasing problem that needs a solution. "Blueprint Lays Out Clear Path for Climate Action." Environmental Defense Fund. Environmental Defense Fund, 8 May Web. 24 May Clinton, Bill. Interview by Andrew C. Revkin. “Clinton on Climate Change.” New York Times. New York Times, May Web. 25 May Dean, Cornelia. "Executive on a Mission: Saving the Planet." New York Times. New York Times, 22 May Web. 25 May 2009.