ACADEMIC WRITING I March 13 th 2012

Today: Paragraphs

What is a paragraph? A group of sentences that discuss one main idea. - there is no required number of sentences; however, a paragraph should be long enough to develop the main idea.

Topic sentence Tells the reader what the sentence is about. Helps keep your writing under control. In a single paragraph, don’t include information not related to the topic sentence.

Topic sentence Clearly states the topic and the controlling idea of the paragraph. Gives only main ideas. No specific details. Must contain at least one subject and one verb. Is often the first sentence in a paragraph (but not necessarily).

Topic sentence Topic names the subject of the sentence. Controlling idea limits or controls the topic to a specific area. Convenience foods are easy to prepare. There are several advantages to growing up in a big city. Driving on the highway requires strong nerves and aggressiveness.

Topic sentence Don’t include too many ideas. Independent films are characterized by experimental techniques, low production costs, and provocative themes. VS. Independent films are characterized by experimental techniques.

Examples English has been influenced by other languages. The slang expression so long (meaning “good bye”) is probably a corruption of the Arabic salaam. The Arabic origins of many English words are not always obvious. too general too specific Just right

Remember: A paragraph only needs ONE topic sentence.

Supporting sentences These supporting details explain or prove the topic sentence. - Several types: examples, statistics, and quotations.

Supporting sentences IMPORTANT Many students do not support their ideas well enough. Supporting details can be the difference between “a paragraph” and a “good paragraph”.

Supporting sentence Although some people think that red-light running is a minor traffic violation that is no worse than jaywalking, it can, in fact, become a deadly crime. Red-light runners cause accidents all the time. Sometimes people are seriously injured and even killed. It is especially a problem in rush hour traffic. Everyone is in a hurry to get home, so drivers run red lights everywhere. The police do not do much about it because they are too busy. The only time they pay attention is when there is an accident, and then it is too late. In conclusion, running a red light is a serious offence.

Supporting sentence Although some people think that red-light running is a minor traffic violation that is no worse than jaywalking, it can, in fact, become a deadly crime. Red-light runners cause hundreds of accidents, including deaths and injuries as well as millions of dollars of damages. Each year more than 900 people die, and nearly 200,000 are injured in crashes that involve red-light running (Department of Highways, 2008). Motorists run red lights all the time. For example, in Fairfax, Virginia, a five-month-long survey at five busy intersections revealed that a motorist ran a red light every 20 minutes (Simmons, 2011). Red-light runners are seldom caught. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “Communities don’t have the resources to allow police to patrol intersections as often as would be needed to ticket all motorists who run red lights” (IIHS, 2010).

Supporting sentences Usually, examples are the easiest kind of supporting evidence to use. They are often taken from our own experience or knowledge. However, depending on the type of writing, examples are not always the best kind of supporting evidence.

Concluding sentence Signals the end of the paragraph. Should remind readers what the paragraph is about. Leave readers with the most important ideas to remember.

Concluding sentence NOTE: Not all paragraphs require a concluding sentence. In a single, stand-alone paragraph = necessary. In a long paragraph in a multi-paragraph essay = sometimes necessary. In a short paragraph in a multi-paragraph essay = not usually necessary.

Concluding sentence Summarize the main points of the paragraph. OR Repeat the topic sentence in different words.

Concluding sentence Some writers begin the concluding sentence with a “signal”.

Concluding sentence signals Followed by a comma: Finally, Lastly, In brief, Therefore, In conclusion,Thus, Indeed,So sum up, In short,In summary,

Concluding sentence signals NOT followed by a comma: The evidence suggests that… There can be no doubt that… These examples show that… We see that…

Concluding sentence Although some people think that red-light running is a minor traffic violation that is no worse than jaywalking, it can, in fact, become a deadly crime. Red-light runners cause hundreds of accidents, including deaths and injuries as well as millions of dollars of damages. Each year more than 900 people die, and nearly 200,000 are injured in crashes that involve red-light running (Department of Highways, 2008). Motorists run red lights all the time. For example, in Fairfax, Virginia, a five-month-long survey at five busy intersections revealed that a motorist ran a red light every 20 minutes (Simmons, 2011). Red-light runners are seldom caught. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “Communities don’t have the resources to allow police to patrol intersections as often as would be needed to ticket all motorists who run red lights” (IIHS, 2010). The evidence suggests that red-light running is more than just a minor traffic violation.

Unity and coherence A good paragraph also needs these two elements.

Unity Means that you discuss only ONE main idea in a paragraph. Main idea stated in topic sentence. Each supporting sentence develops that idea. A strong paragraph will eliminate sentences that are not related to the main idea.

Unity: Editing tip When checking your work, ask yourself: A. Does every detail I have used support the main idea? B. Are the supporting details organized in the most logical way? C. Are there any sentences that are unnecessary because they only restate the main point without adding new information? D. Are the relationship between ideas clear?

Unity Example: If your paragraph discusses two physical characteristics of gold, discuss only those. Do not discuss other ideas (e.g., price of gold, gold mining).

Unity Although some people think that red-light running is a minor traffic violation that is no worse than jaywalking, it can, in fact, become a deadly crime. Red-light runners cause hundreds of accidents, including deaths and injuries as well as millions of dollars of damages. Each year more than 900 people die, and nearly 200,000 are injured in crashes that involve red-light running (Department of Highways, 2008). Motorists run red lights all the time. For example, in Fairfax, Virginia, a five-month-long survey at five busy intersections revealed that a motorist ran a red light every 20 minutes (Simmons, 2011). Red-light runners are seldom caught. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), “Communities don’t have the resources to allow police to patrol intersections as often as would be needed to ticket all motorists who run red lights” (IIHS, 2010). The evidence suggests that red-light running is more than just a minor traffic violation.

Unity Although some people think that red-light running is a minor traffic violation that is no worse than jaywalking, it can, in fact, become a deadly crime. Red-light runners cause accidents all the time. Sometimes people are seriously injured and even killed. People are also killed or injured in speeding accidents. It is especially a problem in rush hour traffic. Everyone is in a hurry to get home, so drivers run red lights everywhere. The police do not do much about it because they are too busy. The only time they pay attention is when there is an accident, and then it is too late. When police arrive at accident scenes, they usually interview witnesses. In conclusion, running a red light is a serious offence.

Coherence Means that the paragraph is easy to read and understand. Each part of the writing appears to be “connected” and working towards a single conclusion or goal. Logical order of supporting sentences. Ideas are connected with appropriate transition signals. (e.g., “for example”, “and”, “however”)

Coherence Limited investment in the housing sector makes it practically impossible to allocate sufficient resources for urban dwellers' housing needs. A high rate of urban population growth has increased the country's needs for housing. A small group of city officials has laid out a new plan to combat the crisis. A solution to the housing- shortage problem is a vital policy issue here. The housing problem has grown in the last twenty years.

Coherence Limited investment in the housing sector makes it practically impossible to allocate sufficient resources for urban dwellers' housing needs. In fact, the problem has grown in the last twenty years. Because a high rate of urban population growth has increased the country's needs for housing, a solution to the housing-shortage problem is a vital policy issue here. A small group of city officials has laid out a new plan to combat the crisis.

Coherence Good coherence usually requires effective editing and feedback (something we will look at later!).

Homework Read the new reading in the “Files” section (about paragraph writing). Download the “paragraph worksheet” from the “Homework” section.

Journal After doing the reading, and considering what we have done today, write another draft of your journal entry. Submit it on Thursday.