I. Concept
A paragraph is a group of related sentences developing one central idea, or expressing one unit of thought.
II. Fundamental features 1. Unity
Unity means oneness, the combination of all elements to form a single unit. In a well-organized or unified paragraph there is a central theme, and every sentence contributes to the explanation of this theme.
The theme of a paragraph is often summarized in one sentence called the topic sentence. This usually appears at the beginning, but may also be found in the middle or at the end of a paragraph. Sometimes there is no topic sentence in a paragraph, but it is unified and has a single focus. 2. Coherence
Coherence refers to connection and organization. A coherent paragraph is one in which the sentences are arranged in a clear logical order, and the transitions are smooth and natural. As a result, the readers find it easy to follow the writer’s train of thought and understand what he is talking about. 3. Transition
Coherence is achieved mainly by the logical sequence of ideas. Sometimes it is necessary to use proper transitions:
a. parallel constructions
b. repetition of words or phrases
c. the restatement of an idea in different words
d. pronouns that refer to noun in proceeding sentences.
e. Transitional words and phrases, like further, finally, nevertheless, similarly, consequently, on
the other hand, etc. may be used to make the connection clear. But these words are not be used too often, for they may make a passage sound unnatural. 4. Length
How long a paragraph should be depends on its topic and its position in the essay.
The topic of a paragraph should be adequately developed by details, explanations etc, so that the reader may have a clear idea of what the writer intends to say. In other words, a paragraph should give the reader a feeling of completeness.
A paragraph that presents one of the main facts or ideas of an essay may be quite long, while one that serves as a beginning, a transition, or a conclusion may be much shorter. III. Ways of developing a paragraph 1. Planning a paragraph
Paragraphs need to be developed. First, think of the topic or theme or main ideas, and express it in a complete sentence( topic sentence). Then think of the details or examples or facts that may be needed to support or explain the main idea. Arrange them in a logical order, and you have a rough plan of the paragraph. 2. Development by time
In telling a story or recounting an event, the easiest and clearest way is to describe things in order of time: earlier things are mentioned before later things, the first thing first and the last thing last.------ Chronological order.
It has three sub-divisions: natural order, insertion and flashback. 3. Development by process
When you have to explain how something is done, you usually follow a chronological sequence and give a step-by-step description. As the steps must occur one after another, the exact order in which they are carried out is most important. 4. Development by space
Before we begin to describe a place, whether it is a large country or a small room, we have to decide on the order in which to name the different parts or details. For this case, we should find out the space relationships between them and arrange our description accordingly. 5. Development by detail
This is a method that we use almost every time we talk about our own experience, about a piece of news, or about a historical event. We usually start with a general statement, which is like a topic sentence. Then we may add some description or explanation.
e.g. The first enduring settlement in North America was in 1607. English capitalists founded two Virginia companies, a southern one based on London and a northern one based on Bristol. It was decided to give the name New England to the northern area. The first settlers in Virginia were little more than wage slaves to the company; all were men and the experiment was not very successful. Many died, and those who survived lived in miserable conditions. Two developments improved their situation; the beginning of the growing tobacco and the system by which the indentured servants of the company were enabled to become tenant farmers. By 1619 the colony had a thousand people. 6. Development by example
This method is very similar to development by detail. In this, details and examples and illustrations are used to emphasize the general statement. 7. Development by generalization
Another possible arrangement of details (or examples) in a paragraph is from the specific to the general. The details are mentioned first, and the general statement, which may be the topic sentence, comes at the end of the paragraph. 8. Development by comparison and contrast
Comparison points out the similarities between the two or more persons or things of the same class. Contrast the differences between them. In writing, practically they appear together. There are two ways of organizing paragraphs of comparison and contrast. Pattern A: A1, A2, A3 B1, B2, B3 Pattern B: A1, B1
A2, B2 A3, B3
9. Development by cause and effect
Sound reasoning or logic is naturally the most important quality of any analysis. In presenting cause and effect, we should try to be objective. Overstating or understating our position would only make the analysis unconvincing. It seems convenient to state the effect first and then explain the causes. The reverse order, however, is to be preferred when one cause leads to various effects. 1. Development by classification
To classify is to sort things into categories according to their different characteristics.
11. Development by definition
Sometimes, to avoid confusion or misunderstanding, we have to define a word, term, or concept which is unfamiliar to most readers or open to various interpretations. There are 3 basic ways to define a word or a term:
a. give a synonym
b. to use a sentence (often with a attributive sentence) c. to write a paragraph or even an essay. 12. Climactic sequence
Whenever possible, the most important point, or the highest point of interest, should be saved for the last sentence of the paragraph. Such a climactic sequence is possible in paragraphs developed by detail, by example, by comparison and contrast, by cause and effect etc. 13. Development by combination of methods.
IV. Techniques of opening and concluding paragraphs. Opening paragraphs
Three features of opening paragraphs a. catch the reader’s attention
b. make a promise or commitment that tells the reader what to expect from the rest of the essay. c. Show the reader why he or she should continue to read.
Varieties of opening paragraphs
a. the straightforward announcement b. the anecdote or narrative
c. ask a question in an exposition or persuasive essay. d. Appropriate quotation or reference to a news item.
Poor opening paragraph
a. the writer strings together a series of generalities that do little more than state the obvious b. fail to make a commitment, fail to let the reader know what to expect.
Concluding paragraphs
a. a long report---- summarize your main points in the conclusion. b. Persuasion------ restate your thesis c. Short------- one sentence sometimes
Two don’ts
a. don’t keep on writing after you actually finished what you have to say. b. Don’t indulge in platitude or nicesounding generalities.
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