Lecture 22
Writing an Effective Paragraph
Review of Lecture 21
• In lecture 21, we learnt how to
– Understand and appreciate songs in English
– Analyze song lyrics
Objectives of Lecture 22
• After completing lecture 22, you should be
able to
– Identify elements of effective paragraphs
– Analyze types and structure of various paragraphs
– Write unified, cohesive and coherent paragraph
What is a Paragraph?
• A paragraph is a group of sentences that tells
about one subject or area.
• Each sentence in a paragraph must give
information about the topic
Reasons to Write a Paragraph
1. Describe something
2. Tell a story
3. Explain something
4. To Persuade
Parts of a Paragraph
:
•Topic
Topic sentence
Sentence: States the main idea of the paragraph. It tells
the reader what the paragraph will be about. A good topic sentence
does two things: 1. It names a subject 2.) It give the focus or main
point
Ex: Subject: Egypt
Main Focus: Religion
Ex: Subject: Egyptian Religion Main Focus: Gods
Supporting
Details:
• Supporting Details
:
Sentences that are connected to the
main idea. They include information or details the reader needs in
order to understand the topic. Sentences should be ordered in the
best possible order. 3 main ways to do this is either by time, location
or importance.
Closing
• Closing: Statement:
Sums up the paragraph’s message. It
reminds the readers of the topic.
Topic Sentence
D
E
T
A
I
L
S
The ancient Egyptians believed in many different gods
and goddesses and each one had their own role to play in
maintaining peace and harmony across the land. Some gods
and goddesses took part in creation. Other gods and goddesses
brought the flood every year. Some offered protection, and some
took care of people after they died. Egyptians had local gods
who represented towns, and minor gods who represented plants
or animals. The ancient Egyptians believed that it was
important to recognize and worship these gods and
goddesses so that life continued smoothly.
Closing Statement
Think of a good topic sentence for
this set of details.
• Penguin Moms lay the eggs and afterwards leave to
get food for 2months.
• Penguin dads incubate the egg until it hatches.
• They take turns caring for their chick and feeding in
the sea.
• Once the egg hatches, The young stay sheltered in
the pouch of the mother while the father brings food.
Student Examples of Topic Sentences
• Mother and father penguins both take care of
their young.
• Mother and father penguins play a very
important role in raising their young.
• Penguin mom and dads are very good parents.
• Penguin parents are very protective of their
young and I will show you how.
Paragraph Details
• Topic Sentence:
Arizona has been thinking about extending
the school year from May to June, but I
think that they should not extend the
school year.
What are some details you would expect to see in this
paragraph?
Examples
• Some details in this paragraph might be
about…
– Why Arizona is extending the school year
– When they plan to extend the school year
– Reasons why it is a bad idea
Think of a Closing Statement for this
paragraph
Egypt is most famous for their pyramids. There are
over 100 pyramids in Egypt but that information is
unknown to many people. The most popular and well
known pyramids are the Pyramids of Giza. They are
located in Cairo. Pyramids were tombs for pharaohs. To
complete the pyramids, workers hauled and lifted millions
of limestone blocks that weighed an average of 2 and 1/2
tons each. They didn’t have iron tools or wheeled vehicles.
The workers carried each stone by hand, pulled them on
sleds, and lifted them up mud ramps to be placed on the
slowly rising structure.
Examples of Closing Statements
• Now we are glad that the Egyptians worked so hard
so that we can admire the beauty.
• The pyramids have been standing in Egypt for a long
time, and they still stand for people to see.
• You can see why the Egyptian would be proud of all
this hard work.
• We hope that someday scientist will be bale to figure
out how Egyptians built these ancient structures.
Let’s build a Paragraph
A Life of Adventure
mary seacole was born in 1805 in kingston jamaica her mother practised as a
‘doctress’ using medical knowledge which women had brought from africa and
developed in the tropics from her mother mary inherited her medical skills as well
as her ability to run a boarding house from her father a scottish military man she
inherited her fascination with army life mary’s own medical reputation was
established during a series of cholera and yellow fever epidemics she made her
own medicines and emphasised high standards of hygeine as well as enforcing
strict quarantine on victims by these methods she saved many lives on the
outbreak of the crimean war mary volunteered her services to the british army
although she had worked for the army before at its own request this time she was
turned down undaunted mary made her own way to the war zone once in the
crimea she not only nursed the soldiers but also ran a hotel and sold food wine
and medicines after the war mary was treated as a celebrity she was decorated by
the governments of four countries in england a poem in her honour was published
in punch and even the royal family requested her company and medical expertise
A Life of Adventure
mary seacole was born in 1805 in kingston jamaica her mother practised as a
‘doctress’ using medical knowledge which women had brought from africa and
developed in the tropics from her mother mary inherited her medical skills as well
as her ability to run a boarding house from her father a scottish military man she
inherited her fascination with army life mary’s own medical reputation was
established during a series of cholera and yellow fever epidemics she made her
own medicines and emphasised high standards of hygeine as well as enforcing
strict quarantine on victims by these methods she saved many lives on the
outbreak of the crimean war mary volunteered her services to the british army
although she had worked for the army before at its own request this time she was
turned down undaunted mary made her own way to the war zone once in the
crimea she not only nursed the soldiers but also ran a hotel and sold food wine
and medicines after the war mary was treated as a celebrity she was decorated by
the governments of four countries in england a poem in her honour was published
in punch and even the royal family requested her company and medical expertise
Separate into
1. sentences
2. paragraphs.
Exercise 1 (5 mins)
What is a paragraph?
- A group of sentences
- What groups them?
- One idea
A Life of Adventure
mary seacole was born in 1805 in kingston jamaica her mother practised as a
‘doctress’ using medical knowledge which women had brought from africa and
developed in the tropics from her mother mary inherited her medical skills as well
as her ability to run a boarding house from her father a scottish military man she
inherited her fascination with army life mary’s own medical reputation was
established during a series of cholera and yellow fever epidemics she made her
own medicines and emphasised high standards of hygeine as well as enforcing
strict quarantine on victims by these methods she saved many lives on the
outbreak of the crimean war mary volunteered her services to the british army
although she had worked for the army before at its own request this time she was
turned down undaunted mary made her own way to the war zone once in the
crimea she not only nursed the soldiers but also ran a hotel and sold food wine
and medicines after the war mary was treated as a celebrity she was decorated by
the governments of four countries in england a poem in her honour was published
in punch and even the royal family requested her company and medical expertise
Write down the main theme for each
paragraph
Exercise 1 (5 mins)
Outlines are your recipe
planning
What do you want
to say?
Structure
writing
Communicating
your ideas
Outlining – Level 3
1.
Nursing and models
1.1 Brief history of Nursing practice
•
Began formally 1790 (Nightingale)
•
Largely disorganised
•
Original mission to heal…
1.2 The purpose of a model
•
Because of disorganisation, model.
•
Argument for a model.
2. History of models
2.1 The first model
Johnson 1820
2.2 Development and timeline.
Model A
Model B
3. The Markov Model: Strengths & Weaknesses
3.1 What is the model
Multi-team.
3.2 Strengths
3.3 Weaknesses
Level 3
Structure
Introduction
– outline of essay
Main section
– Main point A
• details, evidence
– Main point B
Conclusion
– summary of main points
– personal conclusions
Structure
Essay
Paragraph
paragraph structure
Students require more recreational time in order to better
focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies have shown that
students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes
consistently score better on tests immediately following the
recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that
physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on
academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly
required to allow students the best possible chances of
success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just
one of the necessary ingredients for improving student
scores on standardized tests.
topic sentence
Students require more recreational time in order to better
focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies have shown that
students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes
consistently score better on tests immediately following the
recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that
physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on
academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly
required to allow students the best possible chances of
success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just
one of the necessary ingredients for improving student
scores on standardized tests.
supporting sentences
Students require more recreational time in order to better
focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies have shown that
students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes
consistently score better on tests immediately following the
recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that
physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on
academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly
required to allow students the best possible chances of
success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just
one of the necessary ingredients for improving student
scores on standardized tests.
concluding sentence
Students require more recreational time in order to better
focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies have shown that
students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes
consistently score better on tests immediately following the
recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that
physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on
academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly
required to allow students the best possible chances of
success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just
one of the necessary ingredients for improving student
scores on standardized tests.
transitional sentence
Students require more recreational time in order to better
focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies have shown that
students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes
consistently score better on tests immediately following the
recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that
physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on
academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly
required to allow students the best possible chances of
success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just
one of the necessary ingredients for improving student
scores on standardized tests.
paragraph recipe
1. Introduce
2. Expand/justify
3. Conclude
4. Transition Sentences
Paragraph Malfunction
• Too long (no structure)
• No clear idea or too many ideas
• Poor flow (linking words)
Avoid these with outlines.
Linking words
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
First
Furthermore
Another
In addition to
However
On the other hand
Consequently
1.
Paragraph Building
On the blank piece of paper provided, write
a topic sentence.
Pick any idea or subject you like.
If you’re stuck try some of the following:
Cats are man’s best friend
Virtual friends but lonely
Celebrity
You’re such a tweet
5 mins
2.
Paragraph Building
Pass the sheet to the person beside you.
Read the topic sentence you’ve just received.
Now write a supporting sentence for it.
2 mins
3.
Paragraph Building
Pass the sheet to the person beside you.
Read the topic sentence & supporting sentenc
you’ve just received.
Now write another supporting sentence
for it.
2 mins
4.
Paragraph Building
Pass the sheet to the person beside you.
Read the topic sentence & 2 supporting
sentences you’ve just received.
Now write a concluding sentence
for it.
3 mins
Summary of Lecture 22
• In lecture 22, we learnt how to
– Identify elements of effective paragraphs
– Analyze types and structure of various paragraphs
– Write unified, cohesive and coherent paragraph