How to write a paragraph
Outline 1. 1. What is a paragraph? 1. 2. Basic paragraph’s structure 2. Types of Paragraphs 2. 1. Compare and Contrast 2. 2. Descriptive 2. 3. Expository 3. 3. Checklist
What is a paragraph and its basic structure? A paragraph is a group of about 6 -12 sentences about one topic. Every sentence in a strong paragraph is about the same topic. In academic writing, a paragraph has a topic sentence that directly tells the reader the main idea. The other sentences in the paragraph, called supporting sentences, give more information about the topic. They add specific details and explanations. A concluding sentence refers to the topic sentences and sums up the main idea of the paragraph.
Types of paragraphs ØComparison (compare /contrast) Compare and contrast your hometown and college town. ØDescriptive (describe) Describe your most valuable possession. Ø Expository (explain something through facts, reasons or examples) In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the Earth's population lives in urban areas. Explain the causes of this phenomenon.
Compare/Contrast Paragraphs: Compare: similarities between the two subtopics Contrast: differences between them Plan A (point by point): My hometown and my college town have several things in common. First, both are small rural communities. For example, my hometown, Gridlock, has a population of only about 10, 000 people. Similarly, my college town, Subnormal, consists of about 11, 000 local residents. This population swells to 15, 000 people when the college students are attending classes. A second way in which these two towns are similar is that they are both located in rural areas. Gridlock is surrounded by many acres of farmland which is devoted mainly to growing corn and soybeans. In the same way, Subnormal lies in the center of farmland which is used to raise hogs and cattle. . Plan B (block): My hometown and my college town have several things in common. First, my hometown, Gridlock, is a small town. It has a population of only about 10, 000 people. Located in a rural area, Gridlock is surrounded by many acres of farmland which are devoted mainly to growing corn and soybeans. Gridlock also contains a college campus, Neutron College, which is famous for its Agricultural Economics program as well as for its annual Corn. Watching Festival. As for my college town, Subnormal, it too is small, having a population of about 11, 000 local residents, which swells to 15, 000 people when students from the nearby college are attending classes. Like Gridlock, Subnormal lies in the center of farmland which is used to raise hogs and cattle. Finally, Subnormal is similar to Gridlock in that it also boasts a beautiful college campus, called Quark College. This college is well known for its Agricultural Engineering department and also for its yearly Hog-Calling Contest.
Descriptive Paragraphs
Expository paragraph In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the Earth's population lives in urban areas. There are several reasons for this occurrence. First, the increasing industrialization of the nineteenth century resulted in the creation of many factory jobs, which tended to be located in cities. These jobs, with their promise of a better material life, attracted many people from rural areas. Second, there were many schools established to educate the children of the new factory laborers. The promise of a better education persuaded many families to leave farming communities and move to the cities. Finally, as the cities grew, people established places of leisure, entertainment, and culture, such as sports stadiums, theaters, and museums. For many people, these facilities made city life appear more interesting than life on the farm, and therefore drew them away from rural communities
Paragraph Checklist ØDoes my paragraph contain 135 -150 words? ØIs my paragraph on-topic? ØDoes it do what it needs to do ( compare; describe; explain? ) ØDoes my paragraph have § The topic sentence ( tells the reader the main idea)? § Supporting sentences: Compare/contrast: 3 details (point by point of block structure) Describe: 3 important details Explain: 3 arguments § Concluding sentence ( refers the topic sentence and sums up the maim idea)? • Are the sentences in my paragraph arranged logically, so the reader can easily understand what the writer wants to say?