How To Write A Paragraph PDF

HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH BY DR/ SHAIMAA FATHY What is the paragraph? You learned that a paragraph is a group of sentences about one main idea. But actually, the Paragraph is not only group of sentence The paragraph is the building block for any writing The paragraph is a “mini-essay,” or an essa...

HOW TO WRITE A PARAGRAPH BY DR/ SHAIMAA FATHY What is the paragraph? You learned that a paragraph is a group of sentences about one main idea. But actually, the Paragraph is not only group of sentence The paragraph is the building block for any writing The paragraph is a “mini-essay,” or an essay within an essay Parts of any paragraph A topic sentence several supporting sentences sometimes, a concluding sentence.  Topic Sentences Often found at the beginning of the paragraph Tells the reader the main idea, or topic, of the paragraph. Is usually the most general sentence in the paragraph. Tip: Start with something simple and straightforward and then make it more sophisticated  Supporting Sentences Develop, explain, and support the main idea of the paragraph. Contain facts, examples, and details Explain why the main idea is true. Tip: Try to write at least three supporting sentences per paragraph. Concluding Sentence Is the last sentence of the paragraph. Restates the main idea of the paragraph Indicates why the topic is important. May prepare the reader for the following paragraph. Example for paragraph Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live in. It has an excellent health care System. It also has a high standard of education. Finally, Canada’s cities are clean and efficiently managed. For all these reasons, Canada attracts a lot of immigrants, and is a great model for other countries to follow. Example for paragraph Canada is one of the best countries in the world to live in. It has an excellent health care System. It also has a high standard of education. Finally, Canada’s cities are clean and efficiently managed. For all these reasons, Canada attracts a lot of immigrants, and is a great model for other countries to follow.  Let’s practice, …………………………………The teachers are all very old and boring. The courses are not good. The buildings are old and dirty and there is no heating in them. Worst of all, it takes me two hours to get there. I wish I had gone to a different college. Choose the best topic sentence: A. My college is too old. B. I don’t like the teachers at my college. C. I really hate my college. ……………………………Mine is ten years old, and it is always breaking down when I need it. It costs a lot of money for repairs each year. Also, the heater doesn’t work any more, so it is cold in the winter. I really wish I could change it. A. My car is very old. B.I wish I could buy a new car. C. My car costs a lot of money.  Choose supporting sentences to the following topic sentence: I hate my job. For one thing, ………………….Another thing is that ………………….Also, ……………….;However, the worst thing is that…………………….I think it’s time to look for a new job. a) my colleagues are friendly. b) the salary is very low. c) my boss is always getting angry and shouting at me. d) the office is in a great location. e) I want to work there forever. f) I have to work until about nine o’clock every night. g) our office building is old and dirty. Types of paragraphs in thesis and scientific paper Introductory paragraphs Body paragraphs Transitional Paragraphs Concluding Paragraphs Thesis’ and papers’ structure  Introductory paragraphs’ function Engages readers’ interest with a strong opening sentence. supports the thesis by giving relevant background information and context, such as important facts or theory. to help your readers understand why your subject and thesis are important. introduce the thesis statement and thereby focus your readers on the central idea of your paper. Body paragraphs’ function To fully develop your ideas Introducing a sub-topic of the thesis. Transitional Paragraphs’ function to shift from one sub-topic of your thesis to another to shift from a general discussion to a more detailed treatment of an idea. you will not find many of transitional paragraphs in an essay, and in a shorter piece Concluding Paragraphs’ function to restate the thesis reassert the core idea of your paper reinforce the central idea of your paper leave your readers satisfied that you have made your case. Writing process Pre-writing stage Writing stage Post-writing stage Pre-writing stage Before start writing, you have to ask yourself 4 questions: 1. WHO am I writing to and WHY? Consider audience and purpose. 2. HOW should I transmit the information? Consider tone and style.  Pre-writing stage 3. WHAT ideas should I include in my document? Gather information 4. HOW should I organize and structure this information to best suit the audience’s needs and to accomplish my purpose? Outline (organize information). prewriting strategies: 1. Freewriting 2. Brainstorming 3. Journalist Questions 4. Listing 5. Clustering/Mapping 1-What is Freewriting? Letting thoughts unselfconsciously flow without regard to spelling, grammar, style etc. Often for about 5 to 10 minutes Freewriting allows you the freedom to discover what you want to write WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? It helps you to bypass your “internal critic” It gives you confidence in your ability to explore a topic. It gives you an easy way to begin any piece of writing It helps you develop your own unique writing voice How DO I DO Freewriting? 1. Start with a blank piece of paper or blank computer screen. 2. Give yourself a minimum of five minutes of uninterrupted time to freewrite. 3. Write a few words at the top of the page to get you started and keep you focused How DO I DO Freewriting? 4. Now begin writing whatever comes into your head 5. Try to keep writing without stopping, or erasing 6. Don’t evaluate what you are writing 7. After 5—10 minutes of freewriting, look to what you wrote and decide which ideas and phrases will help you in your writing 2 WHAT IS BRAINSTORMING? It is just like the freewriting the difference is in brainstorming, you will write a list of words and phrases than a string of sentences. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? It is easier to see the main ideas It helps you summarize the main concepts in the reading It can make complex reading more accessible It is fast and easy HOW DO I DO BRAINSTORMING? Just like freewriting, except you will write words not sentences. 3 WHAT ARE JOURNALIST QUESTIONS 5 Ws 1H who, How what, when, where, and why WHY ARE THEY IMPORTANT Answering who, what, when, and where questions are an effective means of gauging your comprehension the why and how questions lend themselves to analysis, which is integral to any essay After doing a list of questions, answer them 4 WHAT IS LISTING? Narrow down and organize your ideas to be more focused WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Helps you to select your most promising ideas and start to look for connections between them. Helps you to see how you could narrow and focus your free ideas to present a convincing, logical argument HOW DO I DO LISTING? 1. Start with a blank piece of paper or computer screen 2. Begin making a list of everything you think you would like to write about 3. Use a bullet list format HOW DO I DO LISTING? 4. You don’t need to write full sentences just words 5. Once you have made your list, go back and organize it into logical units 6. Order your list to know your introductory, body, and concluding paragraphs 5 WHAT IS CLUSTERING/MAPPING? Providing a mental picture of the ideas you generate and how they connect to each other. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? It works particularly well for visual learners. It helps you to see the most important ideas. It helps you to see how ideas are related. It helps you organize your ideas. It helps you start to see potential paragraphs forming HOW DO I DO IT? First Assignment Choose your own subject and apply one of the prewriting techniques with it.