Overview of the structure of a paragraph Understanding a paragraph

A paragraph is a group of sentences about a single topic. Together, the sentences of the paragraph explain the writer ’ s main idea about the topic. In academic writing, a paragraph is often between five and ten sentences long. But it can be longer or shorter, depending on the topic. The first sentence of a paragraph is usually indented a few spaces.

Paragraph Organization The topic sentence The supporting sentences The concluding sentence

The topic and the main idea The topic sentence Circle the topic of the sentence and underline the main idea about the topic 1.Indonesia is a very interesting country to visit. 2.Dogs make excellent pets. 3.A really good place to study is the library at my school.

4. Learning a second language creates job opportunities. 5. Soccer is my favorite sport because it is exciting to watch. 6. One of the most valuable tools for students is the computer. 7. My sister and I have very different personalities. 8. Summer is the best time to travel in my country. 9. My hometown is a friendly place to live.

Number the parts in order 1.Topic sentence, 2. supporting sentences, and 3 concluding sentence Topic: What should I study at university?

a. It wasn ’ t an easy decision, but for the reasons listed above, I have decided to study journalism. b. It can be difficult to choose a subject to study in college because there are so many choices, but by considering my skills and interests, I have decided to study journalism. c. I have always enjoyed writing, so it is sensible to choose a major that involves writing. When I begin working, I would like to have the opportunity to travel, and travel is often an important part of a journalist ’ s job. Finally, I am also interested in photography, and pictures are very important in journalism.

concluding sentenceindented main ideaparagraphtopic supporting sentencestopic sentence 1.The ____ is usually the first sentence in a ____. It gives the ___ and the ____. 2.The first sentence of a paragraph should be _______. 3.The ____ come after the topic sentence, and they explain the topic sentence. 4.The _____ comes at the end of a paragraph.

Comparison and contrast paragraph Procedure for developing a comparison and contrast paragraph to show similarities and differences A comparison tells you what features are similar. When you contrast two items, you show the differences between them. Purposes 1. to persuade 2. to inform 3. to show relationships

Points: to come up with a list of ideas or points you could apply e.g. family members attitude toward family position in a community judgment in solving family problems Social background

Block Organization: Paragraph 1 (College Writing p.45) Topic sentence: Reading a story is often very different from seeing it as a movie. Topic A- reading a book –Supporting points Topic B- ______ –Supporting points 1. 2.

Point-by-point organization Topic sentence: Marilyn Monroe and Princess Diana lived at different times in different countries, but their lives had some surprising similarities. First point of comparison- difficult childhood A1:____ B1: Princess Diana- mother left family. Second point of comparison-____ A2: B2: Princess Diana-married Prince Charles, later separated from him.

Patterns 1. Block organization (Subject by subject): all of one side and then all of the other I. Dr. Cliff Huxtable a. Family members b. His attitude toward family c. His judgment in solving family problems II. Al Bundy a. Family members b. His attitude toward family c. His judgment in solving family problems

2. Point-by-point: to show the points in relation to the sides (subjects) one at a time. This is the more common pattern. I.Family members a. Dr. Cliff Huxtable (1) details (2) details b. Al Bundy (1) details (2) details II.Attitude toward family III.

Exercise 1.friends: Marla and Justine (1) Marla a. appearance b. c. (2) Justine

2. Two bosses: Mr. Santo and Ms. Eliot (1) disposition a. Mr. Santo b. Ms. Eliot (2) Knowledge of ____ (3) _____

Contrast Indicators Sentence connectorsClause connectors others Howeveralthoughbut neverthelessEven thoughyet In contrastwhileDespite+N On the other handwhereasIn spite of+N On the contrary

Comparison Indicators Sentence connectors Clause connectors others similarlyas(just) like +N likewisejust asSimilar to N alsoandSame as N Both ….and … Not only … but also

Possible topics Two diets Two fast-food places Two textbooks Two careers Two generations Two actors, singers, musicians Two ways of learning Two ways of exercising Two mothers: housewife & career woman

Using comparative structures A And B: The man and the woman are tall. The baby crawls and smiles at his mom. Both A and B: Both my neighbor and I are selling our cars. Neither … nor: Neither Joe nor Steve went to the meeting last night. Either … or ….: Either my brother or my sister can do it for me. Not only ….but also

1.He spends his Saturdays working on his antique cars or to go to ball games. 2.That commercial was neither accurate nor was it entertaining. 3.Teresa hoped to travel to Alaska and to stay with friends. 4.The banquet table in the great dining hall was long, narrow, and it was dirty.