Writing Effective Paragraphs

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of a full stop (period) in punctuation?

To mark the end of a sentence

A full stop is used at the end of the shortened form of a word. For example, 'p.' stands for ______.

page

What are some examples of words/abbreviations that use a full stop at the end?

no. (number) (correct)

vol. (volume) (correct)

a.m. (ante meridiem) (correct)

p.m. (post meridiem) (correct)

Capital initials like BBC, UJK, and USA do not require full stops.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are the elements that go into the organization of a good paragraph?

Transitional devices Signup and view all the answers

Define a paragraph and its central idea.

A paragraph is a piece of writing unified by a central, controlling idea known as the topic sentence. Signup and view all the answers

English words of two or more syllables have at least one syllable that carries the main stress, indicated by a ____. (Use a single term)

mark Signup and view all the answers

Having a topic sentence at the beginning of a paragraph makes it easier for both the writer and the reader to understand the central idea.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are the two circumstances that govern the relationship of living things in the sea?

the unbelievably lavish fruitfulness of marine life forms and the utter ruthlessness with which the larger creatures eat the smaller ones Signup and view all the answers

Under what circumstances would the Atlantic be packed with codfish within six years?

if all the eggs laid by codfish were hatched and grew to maturity Signup and view all the answers

How does nature prevent the Atlantic from being packed with codfish within six years?

Only an infinitesimal fraction of all codfish eggs ever become full-sized codfish, and wastage among other fish is great Signup and view all the answers

Suggest a title for the paragraph about the relationship of living things in the sea.

The Dynamics of Marine Life Signup and view all the answers

Find the opposites of 'barrenness', 'terrestrial', 'very large'.

fertility, aquatic, small Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the transitional devices used to express contrast?

still Signup and view all the answers

Man's relationship to the sea is no longer primitive.

False Signup and view all the answers

Match the characteristics shared by monkeys and man:

Ability to move over unforested land = Monkeys Cross natural barriers, such as deserts, oceans, and mountains = Man Digest many kinds of food = Monkeys Signup and view all the answers

What is the most important reason that man has been able to range widely across the earth?

developed culture; learned to make clothes and build fires Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the passage, find a word with the same meaning as 'limited'.

restricted Signup and view all the answers

In the context of the passage, find a word which is the opposite of 'thrive'.

perish Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Writing Good Paragraphs

The aim of this unit is to help students write well-organized paragraphs, enabling them to write successfully in various forms of writing.
A paragraph is a piece of writing unified by a central idea or theme, expressed by a topic sentence.

The Topic Sentence

A topic sentence is a sentence that expresses the central idea of the paragraph.
It can be placed at the beginning, middle, or end of the paragraph.
The topic sentence helps both the writer and reader understand the paragraph's central idea.
Example 1: "The vast majority of people, wherever they live and whatever their occupation, come in contact with animals in one way or another and have to deal with them."

Developing the Topic

To develop the topic, add more information, explanations, examples, illustrations, etc. to the idea expressed in the topic sentence.
Analysis of Example 1:
- Topic sentence: "The vast majority of people, wherever they live and whatever their occupation, come in contact with animals in one way or another and have to deal with them."
- Examples: hunter, farmer, fisherman, city dweller
- Summing up: Common bond between man and other creatures

Coherence

An effective paragraph requires coherence, where the writer takes the reader logically and smoothly from one idea to the next.
Transitional devices are used to bring about coherence between sentences.
Examples of transitional devices: firstly, secondly, moreover, most important of all.

Exercise and Tips

Read examples and analyze the topic sentence, elaboration, and summing up.
Practice developing topics and using transitional devices to connect sentences.
Write paragraphs of your own, choosing a topic and writing down all you know about it.
Remember, every sentence should contribute to the central idea, which may be contained in the topic sentence.### Characteristics of Monkeys
Can digest many kinds of food
Can spread across different regions, e.g., from Dakar in the west to Ethiopia in the east, and south to the Cape of Good Hope
Can thrive in different environments, e.g., forests, open cultivated fields, and heavily populated cities
Rhesus macaque is equally at home in different environments
Baboons have also spread widely across Africa

Transitional Devices

Express result: therefore, as a result, consequently, thus, hence
Give examples: for example, for instance, specifically, as an illustration
Express comparison: similarly, likewise
Express contrast: but, yet, still, however, nevertheless, on the other hand
Express addition: moreover, furthermore, also, too, besides, in addition
Indicate time: now, later, meanwhile, since then, after that, before that time
Express sequence: first, second, third, then, next, finally

Sea's Possibilities for Man's Future

The sea is estimated to be more productive than the land
The oceans currently supply only one or two per cent of man's food
Man's relationship to the sea is still primitive, with more to be learned
Oyster growers set out beds of oysters and fence out the oyster's enemies to increase the yield
People in the Philippines, Indonesia, Japan, and China already grow fish and prawns in freshwater ponds
Man will have to farm the sea to meet the great needs of a rapidly expanding world population

Punctuation: The Full Stop

The full stop is used to mark the end of a sentence
It is also used at the end of the shortened form of a word, e.g., e.g. (exempli gratia = for example), p. (page), no. (number), vol. (volume), a.m. (ante meridiem = before midday), p.m. (post meridiem = after midday)

Key Words

Adherence: connection in thoughts or words
Elaboration: giving details
Full stop: a point (.) marking the end of a sentence or a shortened form of a word
Illustration: giving examples
Objectivity: purpose
Punctuation: the system of dividing written matter into sentences, phrases, etc. by using certain marks
Topic: a subject for talk, writing, etc.
Transitional: relating to the movement from one sentence to another

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Description

Learn how to write good paragraphs by understanding the key elements of paragraph organization, including the topic sentence, development, coherence, and punctuation.