U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English 101

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English 101 ONE Paragraph Structure

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English 101 Overview: 1. What is a paragraph? 2. What does a paragraph look like? 3. Parts of a paragraph? 4. Types of paragraphs (with an example) 5. The steps to writing a good paragraph 6. Coherence & unity in a paragraph 7.Connecting Sentences within the paragraph

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English What is a paragraph? A paragraph is a group of sentences which develop one central idea. The central idea is usually sated in a topic sentence. Every sentence in the paragraph must help the development of the topic sentence.A paragraph is a group of sentences which develop one central idea. The central idea is usually sated in a topic sentence. Every sentence in the paragraph must help the development of the topic sentence. A paragraph consists of several sentences that are grouped together. This group of sentences together discusses one main subject. In formal academic English, paragraphs have three principal parts. These three parts are the topicA paragraph consists of several sentences that are grouped together. This group of sentences together discusses one main subject. In formal academic English, paragraphs have three principal parts. These three parts are the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and the concluding sentence. sentence, supporting sentences, and the concluding sentence.

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English What does a paragraph look like? ( ……)Thefirst sentence of a paragraph is always indented so that the reader will know that a new subject – or a different aspect of the same subject– is being dealt with. This means you must leave an empty space to show the beginning of the paragraph. Consider indentation as another form of punctuation. Just as every sentence ends with a period (.), so each new paragraph begins with an indentation. ( ……)The first sentence of a paragraph is always indented so that the reader will know that a new subject – or a different aspect of the same subject– is being dealt with. This means you must leave an empty space to show the beginning of the paragraph. Consider indentation as another form of punctuation. Just as every sentence ends with a period (.), so each new paragraph begins with an indentation. Make sure that you capitalize the first word of each sentence and end each sentence with a period (.), question mark(?), or exclamation point (!). Indentation

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English Parts of a paragraph Most paragraphs have three main parts:  The topic sentence  The supporting sentences  The concluding sentence Topic sentence Supporting Sentences Concluding Sentences

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English 101 The topic sentence and concluding sentence are like the two pieces of bread. The supporting sentences are like the lettuce, tomatoes, meat, onions, and cheese that you put between the pieces of bread. Supporting sentences Concluding sentence

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English 101 Topic sentence The topic of a paragraph is stated in one sentence. This sentence is called the topic sentence. The topic sentence is the main idea of a paragraph and it usually comes at the beginning of a paragraph. It is usually the first sentence in a formal academic paragraph.

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English 101 Supporting Sentences The supporting sentences are the major points that explains the main idea. They are called supporting sentences because they support, explain, or give more information about the idea expressed in the topic sentence. The supporting sentences are the major points that explains the main idea. They are called supporting sentences because they support, explain, or give more information about the idea expressed in the topic sentence. Supporting sentence Supporting sentence Supporting sentence main idea

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English 101 Concluding Sentence In formal paragraphs you will sometimes see a sentence at the end of the paragraph which summarizes the information that has been presented. This is the concluding sentence. You can think of a concluding sentence as a sort of topic sentence in reverse. The Concluding Sentence: The topic is restated to remind the reader what the composition was about. (Begin this sentence with Clearly,... In conclusion,... All in all,...)

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English 101 Example of a paragraph Steve Fredericks cares about keeping fit. First of all, he tries to get some exercise every day. He belongs to a health club where he usually exercises after work. In addition, he is also careful about his diet. For example, he rarely eats food that has a lot of fat or sugar. Finally, Steve never smokes cigarettes. Like many of his friends, Steve tries to keep in shape and stay healthy.

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English 101 Example of a paragraph Steve Fredericks cares about keeping fit. First of all, he tries to get some exercise every day. He belongs to a health club where he usually exercises after work. In addition, he is also careful about his diet. For example, he rarely eats food that has a lot of fat or sugar. Finally, Steve never smokes cigarettes. Like many of his friends, Steve tries to keep in shape and stay healthy.

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English Types of paragraphs 1.The narrative paragraph tells a story 2.The persuasive paragraph. tries to convince the audience 3.The descriptive paragraph describes something 4.The expository or explanatory paragraph gives information or explains something

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English The steps to writing a good paragraph Decide what you are going to write about Identify your audience (readers) and purpose Choosing your topic Study and research from available resources Take notes, Brainstorm Gathering information Write an outline Write your ideas in sentences; follow your outline to write a draft. Planning and drafting Finish by editing your work. Check for errors in grammar, spelling, punctuation, etc… Present your work in an academic format. (font size 12, use Times New Roman, and double-space your paragraph. Proofreading and publishing

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English Coherence and unity in a paragraph Coherence in writing means that all the ideas in a paragraph flow smoothly from one sentence to the next sentence. With coherence, the reader has an easy time understanding the ideas that you wish to express. Stick to the point: The ideas have a clear and logical relation to each other. Put details or examples or incidents in logical order chronological in relation to each other in order of importance

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English Coherence and unity in a paragraph Paragraph Unity Unity is a very important characteristic of good paragraph writing. Paragraph unity means that one paragraph is about ONLY ONE main topic. That is, all the sentences -- the topic, supporting sentences, the detail sentences, and (sometimes) the concluding sentence -- are all telling the reader about ONE main topic. If your paragraph contains a sentence or some sentences that are NOT related to the main topic, then we say that the paragraph "lacks unity," or that the sentence is "off-topic."

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English Connecting Sentences Within the Paragraph chronological order first meanwhile later afterwards finally chronological order first meanwhile later afterwards finally objects in relation to one another next to in front of beside between behind objects in relation to one another next to in front of beside between behind in order of importance however furthermore as a result in fact yet in order of importance however furthermore as a result in fact yet

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English Connecting Sentences Within the Paragraph

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English 101 Group Task: read the following paragraph My hometown is famous for several amazing natural features. First, it is noted for the Wheaton River, which is very wide and beautiful. On either side of this river, which is 175 feet wide, are many willow trees which have long branches that can move gracefully in the wind. In autumn the leaves of these trees fall and cover the riverbanks like golden snow. Second, on the other side of the town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep. Even though it is steep, climbing this hill is not dangerous, because there are some firm rocks along the sides that can be used as stairs. There are no trees around this hill, so it stands clearly against the sky and can be seen from many miles away. The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree. This tree stands two hundred feet tall and is probably about six hundred years old. These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my hometown a famous place.

U I N V E R S I T Y O F H A I L E N G L I S H L A N G U A G E C E N T E R PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE H A S S A N E L B A D R I English 101 Group Task: Answer the following questions What is the topic/main idea of this paragraph? Find the topic sentence, the supporting sentences, and the concluding sentence How is the paragraph organized? what are the major and minor connectors used? Is the paragraph coherent? Does this paragraph have unity? What does the concluding sentences do in this paragraph?