From Paragraphs to Essays
English Writing
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essays
paragraphs
sentences
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Paragraphs
A Chinese paragraph
• 同居對現代的年輕人似乎已成為一種新的潮流。在他們的想
法裡，也許會覺得同居在一起，可以互相學習、互相分享自
己的生活經驗，在結婚前提早知道彼此是否合得來, 但他們
往往沒考慮到住在一起所須面對的問題(INTRODUCTION)。
例如：金錢方面，住在一起不像住在家裡，可以用家裡的、
吃家裡的，不須花到自己的錢，樣樣不必自己動手、自己來。
住外面的話，各方面都得花自己的錢，如果彼此沒有經濟能
力，想必會是非常辛苦的，必須常常為了錢的事而煩惱，生
活品質也就不會有多高了。在來就是安全方面了，住在一起
每個人都有自己的生活方式，當對方彼此看不慣其生活方式
時，爭吵就難免的了。如果處理不當，也許爭吵就會變成打
鬥，悲劇就釀成了。在法律方面，同居是沒有保障的。如果
女生懷孕的話，她無法控告男生，他們沒有結婚，法律上並
不附與保障，他們只能私底下自己解決問題，這對女生來說，
似乎不怎麼公平。同居要面對的問題很多，同時也必須接受
別人的閒言閒語，所以，我非常不同意同居 (MAIN
IDEA/TOPIC SENTENCE)。
The paragraph organization
in Chinese
Introduction/Opening
Development:
explanation, description
Conclusion (main idea )
An English Paragraph
•
It’s important to complete my college education for three
reasons. First, having a college degree is the basic qualification
on the job market. Because, the times to make progress,
everyone have the university and Master degree, if I don’t take
this degree I can’t earn much money. For example, my friend
has a college degree, and her salary higher than me. Second,
it’s a dream to be an English teacher. Because, I have to
improvement all English knowledge and skills, For instance, at
present, many students are very smart. Learning more about
English is important. If I don’t have learned a lot of knowledge
how can I teach students? Third, I want save my money and
time. Because, I study that I can’t spend money and kill time in
the weekend. So I can save my shopping money and I can’t
waste my time in the holiday. For example, in the weekend, I
usually go shopping to buy some fashionable things, and go
café shop to kill my time. So study is good for me. In conclusion,
it’s never too old to learn. I can study forever until end.
The paragraph organization
in Chinese
(Opening) Topic Sentence
Development: explanation,
description, examples
Conclusion
What is NOT a paragraph?
• A paragraph is not a
collection of random and
unrelated sentences.
What IS a paragraph?
A paragraphs is an organized expression of ideas.
Organized
Ideas
Expression
Paragraph
Is it a paragraph?
• Nowadays, there are so
many young girls go to
abortion. Why are they so
negligent? Obviously,
they do not think they will
get pregnant. So they
have not protect
themselves. We know sex
education is very
important. The more you
know, the safer you have.
Abortion is bad for body,
and young girls may get
hurt by abortion.
• Is the text on the left an
organized expression of
the writer’s ideas?
– What is the main topic?
– Is it organized?
– Are the sentences wellformed?
• Your Answer?
Is it a paragraph?
• Euthanasia is still a
controversial problem.
Some people agree that
euthanasia should be
endorsed by law. When a
patient has a serious
illness and he or she
cannot stand the pain any
more, the patient should
have the right to relieve
their pain by instant death.
A quick and painless
relief is more human than
an long-lasting pain.
• Is the text on the left
an organized
expression of the
writer’s ideas?
– What is the main
topic?
– Is it organized?
– Are the sentences
well-formed?
• Your conclusion?
Is it a paragraph?
• Euthanasia is still a
• Is the text on the left an
controversial problem.
organized expression of
the writer’s ideas?
Some people agree that
euthanasia should be
– What is the main
endorsed by law. When a
topic?
patient has a serious
– Is it organized?
illness and he or she
– Are the sentences
cannot stand the pain any
well-formed?
more, the patient should
• Your conclusion?
have the right to relieve
their pain by instant death.
A quick and painless
relief is more human than
an long-lasting pain.
The typical structure of a paragraph
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What is a topic sentence?
• A topic sentence tells
– a main topic
– controlling ideas
• Example
– High college tuition is imposing a negative
impact on the students from the poor families.
– Main topic?
• High college tuition is imposing an impact on students
– Controlling ideas?
• a negative impact
• on the students from the poor families
What does a topic sentence do
in a paragraph?
• The main idea of a topic sentence
announces the general topic of the
paragraph
– What the paragraph is about
• The controlling ideas of a topic
sentence show
– What specific ideas will be discussed.
– How the paragraph will be possibly
developed.
Essays
What is an essay?
• Form
– Multiple paragraphs
– Standard 5 paragraphs
• Function
– To present your ideas/arguments in
detail
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Main Types of Essays
• Narrative essays
– To tell a story
• Comparison/contrast essays
– To make a comparison/contrast
• Cause-effect essays
– To discuss reasons or influences on a subject
• Argumentative essays
– To present your opinions
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Paragraphs vs. Essays
• Topic sentence ------ • Introductory

paragraph (thesis
statement)
• Supporting idea A.-- • Paragraphs A

• Supporting idea B.-- • Paragraphs B

• Supporting idea C.-- • Paragraph C

• Conclusion ----------- • Concluding

paragraph
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