paragraph writing
Paragraph Writing 段落写作
Exercise 1Insert the comma and the joining word (and, but, for, so) that logically connects the two thoughts in each sentence.1. We knew the old desk had a secret drawer（抽屉）no one could find it.2. I had to retype my term paper my little boy had scrawled（乱涂乱画）on it with a red crayon.（蜡笔）3. It rains a lot this summer we have not had to water our garden.4. Hong Kong will-be returned to China after July, 1997 its social and economic system is to remain unchanged for 50 years.5. The exact number of Japanese companies in Hong Kong is not available it is said to be around 900.Exercise 2Choose a logical transitional word and write it in the space provided. In addition, put a semicolon before the transition and a comma after it.Example: It was raining harder than ever; however, Bobby was determined to go to the amusement park.1. Most people can do without food for a month_________ theyneed two quarts of water a day to survive.2. Jean's son was sick______ she delivered his newspaper for him.3. I need to study hard I think_____ I' m going to need a tutor.4. The bride's father apologized to the waitingquests_________ he promised to return all the wedding gifts.This chapter is concerned with paragraphs, rather than essays, but the technique of developing a paragraph is essentially the same as expanding an idea into an essay of several paragraphs, Therefore, the training of paragraph writing plays an important role in your writing, and also is an indispensable(必需的) step towards writing well.I. General Remarks1. The form of a paragraphThe form of a paragraph is distinctive: the first line is indented（缩格书写）, about one inch in handwriting and five spaces in typewritten copy. The indentation tells a reader that the material in the paragraph represents a separate unit of thought. Though graph may consist of a single sentence, it is usually a group of sentences, and a group of related sentences developing one central idea. A paragraph itself is a mini-essay.2. Certain rules governing the construction of a paragraph.A paragraph should beunified--with all its sentences relevant to the central idea,（切题的）coherent --with its organization following a definite plan, （紧凑连贯）adequately developed -- with its sentences adequately explaining the central idea.A paragraph should also berich in interesting information.3. The Topic SentenceTo write a paragraph, you first need to decide on your purpose. You need to decide in advance what idea you ate trying to communicate in your paragraph. Once you are sure of your idea, the next step to be taken is to make your idea clear to your reader. You can do this by stating your idea in a top/c sentence.The topic sentence expresses your paragraph's central idea or purpose. It indicates what the paragraph is about, or what it will describe or discuss. It should not be supposed, however, that every paragraph must have a topic sentence. But in a paragraph of exposition or argument, the topic is as a rule definitely stated in a sentence. In a paragraph of narration or description, the topic sentence is usually implied rather than stated.A topic sentence may appear in the beginning, or in the middle, or at the end of a paragraph, tit is a most common practice to begin a paragraph with a topic sentence and then develop and explain it by giving supporting details and specific examples. 4. Restrict your topic sentence carefullyAlmost any statement or question can be made into a topic sentence, but in order to tell the reader what your paragraph will be about, your topic sentence should be not only clear but also restricted. The more precise it is, the better, since a paragraph is not long. The more general the topic sentence, the more difficulty you will have in developing your paragraph. Therefore, if your topic sentence is “What is love?”, it is not as good a topic sentence as “What is love among teenagers?”The following are some of topic sentences expressed in the form of a statement:1. Writing an outline is an aid to organizing a composition.2. The library plays an important part in a student's life.3. The work of the library needs improvement.4. Exercise is important to the health.5. Swimming is an excellent exercise.6. Over-exercising is dangerous.7. My desk-mate is a man of many talents.8. Spring is the most pleasant season of the year.9. Education is a glorious cause.The above topic sentences are successful because they not only introduce limited topics, but also give the writer's opinion about each topic. Therefore, the most effective topic sentences are those that state both the topic and the writer's opinion or attitude toward that topic.The following three points highlight the qualities of strong topic sentences.1) Introduce the topic immediately. In this way your reader knows what you will write about, and you know what you will write about. Do not surprise your readers. Tell them immediately what you want to write.2) Limit the topic. In this way you will have enough to write about and focus on only one major feature or point.3) Give an opinion or an attitude or a reaction or an impression that the writer has about the topic. In this way you get readers interested in the topic and they will want to find out why you feel the way you do about your subject.Here is one more topic sentence, which is successful because it introduces a limited topic clearly and gives the writer's opinion about that topic.Everyone in My Writing Class This Monday Morning Looks Restless and Uncomfortable.Topic: people in the writing class Monday morningOpinion: restlessness(不耐烦的) and uncomfortablenessII. Write a unified paragraphUnity means singleness of purpose or oneness of purpose. A paragraph concentrates on a single idea, all the facts, examples, reasons, and explanations, used to develop that idea must be relevant. If the material is not directly related to aparagraph's controlling idea. The paragraph is a bad one. Therefore, a paragraph has unity when every sentence is relevant to the controlling idea. Any sentence that violates this unity should be deleted. The Controlling idea of a paragraph is called the topic sentence just discussed in the above section.The following paragraph is unified because every sentence in it contributes to the controlling idea----- “The world is filled with many interesting sounds”The world is filled with many interesting sounds. In a single day you may probably hear hundreds of different sounds. And you make or utter different sounds yourself when you work, move, or speak. Some sounds are unpleasant to the ears while others are very pleasant and sweet to hear. Some may be soft and melodious; others may be loud and terrible. Some sound high; others sound 1ow. So there are always interesting sounds in the air.III. Construct Coherent Paragraphs1.CoherenceCoherence refers to organization and connection. It means grouping sentences in a paragraph appropriately, consistently and logically. It deals with arranging, ordering, and connecting ideas and substance, A paragraph is said to be coherent when each sentence leads naturally and logically to the next in explaining the central idea. Thus, coherence is a matter of getting things in the right order while Unity is a matter of ideas and substance.2.Sequence（先后顺序）Coherence is achieved mainly by the logical sequence of ideas.Read the following paragraph:George goes through the same morning routine every weekday. At six he is wakened by an alarm clock and gets up. Then he shaves, brushes his teeth, washes his face, and dresses. After that he exercises deep-breathing in the garden for ten minutes. Then he has breakfast and reads the morning newspaper. At seven thirty he says goodbye to his family and leaves for his office.This paragraph is a unified one because it has a controlling idea George goes through the same morning routine every weekday. All the supporting details towards the end of the paragraph explain how George goes through the routine. This is also a coherent paragraph because the writer puts the details down in a natural, chronological and logical order with the help of transitional words. If we delete some of the transitional words and change the order of the above paragraph, it becomes a disorderly and confusing paragraph as follows:George goes through the same morning routine every weekday. He has breakfast and reads the morning newspaper. He shaves, rushes his teeth, washes: his face, and dresses. At seven thirty he says good-bye to his family and leaves for his office. At six he is wakened by alarm clock and gets up. He exercises deep-breath in the garden for ten minutes.The individual sentences have not been changed and of course they are satisfactory. But something is clearly wrong with the paragraph as a whole -- it lackscoherence. The whole paragraph gives an impression of disorderliness though it has unity. It is clear that write a good paragraph both unity and coherence are needed.One way to achieve coherence is to arrange a paragraph’s details in a systematic way that is appropriate for the subject matter. For example, many writers place their supporting details in order of importance, often starting with the least important detail and ending with the most important one. This kind of paragraph development (paragraph development by order of importance) is an especially helpful way to gain coherence when you are writing an opinion or an argument. Study the following example.Trees are useful to man. They give him shade. They provide him with wood and other products. They help to prevent drought and flood. Therefore, forests are known as invisible reservoirs（水库）.Simple as it is, the above paragraph is coherent. The supporting details are placed in order of importance. Of the three services of the trees, the third is the most important one.Another way to ensure a paragraph’s coherence is to add various transitions to alert the reader to the direction the developing idea is taking. The various transitions including connective words and phrases together with the repetition of certain key words, help cohere sentences like adhesives（胶粘剂）as well as make clear the relations between the sentences in a paragraph. See also the section on "Transitions Between Sentences”.In the following long paragraph, the writer gains coherence by leading the reader from one sentence to the next with connectives:1) Far more striking than any changes in the kinds of work done by women in the (U. S. A. ) labor force is the shift of wives and mothers from household activities to the world of paid employment.2) Emphasis on the new work of women, however, should not obscure（遮掩）an equally important fact.3) Today, as always most of the time and effort of American wives is devoted to their responsibilities within the home and the family circle.4) This is true even of those who are in the labour force.5) Since1890 the demands of paid work have become much lighter.6) The normal work week has decreased from sixty to forty hours; paid holidays and vocations have become universal; and most of the hard, physical labor that work once required has been eliminated.7) Bemuse of these developments, many women can work outside the home and still have time and energy left for home and family.8) Moreover, most working mothers do not assume the burdens of a full schedule of paid work.9) Among employed mothers of preschool children, four of five worked only part time or less than half the year in 1956.10) Among those whose children were in school, three out of five followed the samecurtailed (=shortened) work schedule.11) And even among working wives who had no children at home, only a little~ morethan half were year-round, full-time members of the labor force.You can easily trace the devices that give this paragraph its coherence. The transition “however” connects the second sentence (2)to the first sentence (1); the adverb “today” links (3) to (2). The pronoun “this” joins (4) to (3), the phrase “Since 1890 ” connects(5) to (4), and (6) contains examples of the point made in the previous sentence.The pronoun “these” in (7) continues the forward movement of ideas listed in (6). The transition “moreover” links (8) to (7). And the repetition of the preposition “among” at the beginning of, sentences (9), (10), and (11) ties them together, forcefully ending the paragraph.IV. Transition Between SentencesTransition means the movement from one sentence to the next. Smooth and logical transition connects sentences in meaningful ways and make clear the relationship between ideas. So each successive sentence in a paragraph should contain a transition, a link with preceding sentence. Sentences linked by transitional devices such as pronouns, repeated key words, transitional expressions, or parallel structure help create a unified paragraph. Let us discuss some of the basic ways to achieve good transition in a paragraph.1. Use pronouns to refer to a person, idea or thing just mentioned in the preceding sentence, e.g.To Better Van Metre this man was not an enemy but rather a suffering human being. She gave him water and tried to clean his terrible wounds.- Janice Keyser LesterA few months after we'd sold the motel. Mother arrived home with a used typewriter. It skipped between certain letters.- Gerald Moore2. Repeat a key word, phrase, or idea in the preceding sentence, e.g.“That's all we can afford,”Mother said. "It's good enough to learn on.” And from that day on, as soon as the table was cleared and the dishes were done, Mother would disappear into her sewing room to practice.Gerald Moore Many people have installed wood burning stoves in their homes this year. Wood is considerably cheaper to burn than oil because home heating oil has doubled in price in the past twelve months, but the price of wood has remained about the same. People who are concerned that rising oil price may force them to choose between eating properly and keeping warm are shopping for attractive, safe, and efficient wood burning stoves. Because of the growing interest in these stoves, there are dozens of new models, in a wide variety of styles and sizes to choose from. Manufacturers have sold thousands of these old-time heaters to homeowners this year.3. Use transitional expressions to point lout the-thought relationship between sentences. Below is a list of various commonly used transitional expressions.1) Words that denote addition:and, and then, again, also, too, besides, likewise, moreover, further, furthermore, in addition,' nor, next, equally important, first, second, third, in the first place,in the second place, finally, last.2) Expressions that denote example:for example, for instance, to illustrate.3) Words and expressions that denote comparison or contrast:.similarly, in the same way, likewise, in like manner, equally important, in contrast, on the other hand, on the contrary, however, nevertheless, instead, yet, and yet, even so, but, although, meanwhile, still, notwithstanding, for all that, at the same time, although this may be true, otherwise, nonetheless4) Words and expressions that denote results or conclusion:therefore, so, consequently, thus, as a result, in conclusion, to conclude, to sum up, hence, accordingly, thereupon, then5) Words and expressions that denote concession:of course, although, it is true6.) Words and expressions that denote time or order of importance:first (second, third, etc. ), now, before, after, next, then, later, once, finally, after that, first of all, to begin with, until, more important, most important, at length, soon, after a few days, in the meantime, afterward, in the past7) Words and expressions that denote place:here, beyond, nearby, opposite to, adjacent to, on the opposite side8) Expressions that denote purpose:to this end, for this purpose, with this object9) Words and expressions that denote summary, repetition and intensification:to sum up, in brief, on the whole, in sum, in short, as I have said, in other words, that is, to be sure, as has been noted, in fact, indeed, to tell the truth, in any event.V．Ways of Developing Paragraphs (铺陈段落方法)The controlling idea in a paragraph needs to be developed fully with relevant details. The major cause of a poorly developed paragraph is overgeneralization, or lack of details.A paragraph can be well developed in a variety of ways, according to the purpose of its writer and its function in a larger discourse. If You want to tell a story, you can use chronological order. If you wish to say how something is done, you may explain a step-by-step process. Therefore, the method of paragraph development that you choose depends on your purpose. The following are some of the commonly used methods of paragraph development:1. Time2. process3. detail4. example5. space6. comparison/contrast7. cause and effect 8. classification9. definitionTwo or more methods may often be used in a single paragraph. The important thing to remember is that which ever method you use to develop your paragraph, you must confine yourself to the topic (sentence).1. Developing the paragraph by time or chronologically （按时间顺序铺陈段落）This method is also called chronological sequencing. When you tell a story or recount（详细描述）an event, the cleverest and easiest way for you to choose is to state things in order of time: earlier things are mentioned before later things. (The first thing first and the last thing last.)Study the following paragraph:We planned a surprise party for Dona recently. She never had a birthday party and she was twenty years old. First, we carefully made a guest list. We included many of her friends from school, a few of her other friends from church, and all of her brothers and sisters. Second, we planned a suitable menu. We needed some refreshing drinks and food. We were going to serve fruit punch（果汁）and coffee. We also wanted chicken sandwiches, a birthday cake with twenty candles, and ice-cream. Third, we planned entertainment. A boy did magic tricks skillfully. Another boy played the guitar well. We all liked group singing. We had a lot of records and a record player. Everyone helped. The party became a secret community project.Notice that the first sentence is the topic sentence, which clearly introduces the main point of the paragraph. The second sentence explains the first one by answering the question “Why did we plan the party?”Succeeding sentences relates chronologically the steps involved in planning a surprise party, a celebration of Dona’s birthday. These succeeding sentences answer the question, “What did we do?” Finally, the last two sentences summarize the paragraph.The next two paragraphs describe two different events that took place in a few minutes, following a chronological arrangement:a. Jack was driving clown one of Scotland’s highest mountains, when he noticed that his brakes weren’t working. A look of fear came to his face. He pulled on the hand brake hard, but nothing happened. It was unbelievable, but true he couldn’t slow the car down. He made a quick decision. He pulled the, door open, and jumped out, rolling into the road. As he lay there he saw the car go downhill very quickly, and then fall over the edge of the road. He couldn’t see anything, but he heard it break into a thousand pieces at the bottom of the mountain.---Michael Carrierb. My heart gave a leap when I heard the announcement that our train would soon arrive at its destination--- Beijing. Like other passengers, I began to collect my things,and put my mug, towel, atlas, apples, and other things into my bag. With the tune of a beautiful song the train pulled into the station and gently stopped by a platform. I walked out of the train and was carried forward by the stream of people into an underground passage and then into a big hall. As I stepped out of the station, I was dazzled( 目眩) by the bright autumn skies of Beijing. Though I had been on the train for more than thirty hours and spent a sleepless night, I didn't feel tired at all, and I believed my days in Beijing would be as sunny as the skies.---A student2.Developing the paragraph by process(过程，步骤)3. Developing the paragraph by details4. Developing the paragraph by examples5. Developing the paragraph by space6. Developing the paragraph by comparison and contrast7. Developing the paragraph by cause and effect8. Developing the paragraph by classification9. Developing the paragraph definition（定义）。
paragraph writing
Sample I
fellow creatures, being in families and other kinds of relationships, observing people with curiosity and interest in the course of the day, thinking about and forming our own character－deciding what kind of person we wish to be－as we grow. －Don Knefel
Transition
Transitional words Transitional signal the directio of a writer's thought. They are like the road signs that guide travelers. In the following page are some common transitions,grouped according to thekind of signal they give to readers.
Sample II
There is some feeling nowadays that reading is not as necessary as it once was. Radio and especially television have taken over many of the functions once served by print,just as photography has taken over functions once served by painting and other graphic arts. Admittedly, television serves some of these functions extremely well; the visual communication of news events, for example,has enormous impact. The ability of radio to give us information while we are engaged in doing their thingsople say it is a cheerful color. They associate yellow, too, with happiness. Green is the color of grass in spring. People say it is a refreshing color.
Paragraph Writing 段落讲课讲稿
Edited by Sophie Qian School of Foreign Languages
1
The parts of a paragraph
A paragraph is a group of related sentences that develops one main idea. A paragraph has: ➢a title which introduces the topic. ➢a topic sentence which tells the reader how the paragraph will develop. ➢supporting details which explain the topic sentence or expand it. ➢a conclusion which tells the reader the paragraph has finished.
➢ Pollution has caused three major problems in the last decades．
➢ There are two kinds of memory： short-term and longterm．
➢ Women are playing an increasingly important part in society today．
➢ 为了正确表达观点，好的主题句经常使用关键词或词组， 即限制词（controllers）限制这一观点。
➢ Air travel is more convenient than train for at least three reasons．
➢ “air travel”（ topic），他将要把 “train”（ aspect）和“ air travel”作比较，并且陈述“reasons”。作者在“aspect”（方 面）和“reason”（原因）两方面限制了主题。
Essay The main body and paragraph writing
Paragraph Writing
“On the one hand (Linking Word), the one-child policy
(topic sentence) has successfully slowed down the pace of China’s expanding population (controlling idea), relieving the pressure that would have been placed on hospitals, schools, infrastructure, and so on (why important).”
2.
3.
Between 2-3 controlling ideas (often, these are opinions/ points of view)
It must be demonstrated why each controlling idea has been mentioned (why you think that this idea is important)
6
Paragraph Writing
Your turn to practice In the last class, you practiced an introduction to the following question: Do you think that the education system in China needs to be reformed? Now, write the first paragraph to this question. Follow this formula: Linking Word + topic sentence + controlling idea + why important
Paragraph Writing 写作模式
Paragraph Writing 写作模式(分析建议类）1) Much to our distress / delight / surprise, these years have seen the popularity / worsening / much improvement / a widespread neglect of sth. (议论的主题) in society.2) According to a recent / official report / survey / opinion poll, ...(佐证陈述)3) If this current is allowed to run its course, things are bound to turn for the better/worse.(Para. 1)4) The importance / harmfulness / significance of sth. to sb. / sth. else, (however), can be seen from the perspectives as follows.5) In the first place, …(分析I)6) In the second, ... (分析II)7) And above all, …(分析III)8) To sum up, ... (归纳总结) (Para. 2)9) So the most pressing for us / basic problem now is how to…10) In my opinion, the first step should be focused upon …(建议I)11) Then, greater efforts must be made to ... (建议II)12) In one word, where there is …, there is …(结论句) (Para. 3)How to Conduct Patriotic Education Among the Youth ofToday1)Much to our distress, these years have seen a widespreadneglect of patriotic education inour society. 2) According to some official reports, many patriotic education centers have been closed down or kept open to the public for other more profitable purposes while many of our national heroes have given way to today’s pop stars in yo uths’ minds. 3) If this current is allowed to run its course, I am afraid, things are bound to turn for the worse, with less and less sense of patriotism left in the youth. 4) The significance of patriotic education to our society, however, can be seen from the perspectives as follows. 5) In the first place, the patriotic education can make youth more aware of the glorious history and culture of our nation, thus building up their sense of pride as Chinese. 6) In the second, the patriotic education helps you th value today’s hard-earned life so as to hold dearer their golden chances of enriching themselves with knowledge in peace. 7) And above all, the patriotic education can push youth to draw upon more of their capabilities in order to make tomorrow’s life b etter than today’s and leave behind themselves more highlights for the nation’s culture. 8) To sum up, patriotic education is a key ingredient in the all-round development of youth. 9) So the most pressing for us now is how to effectively indicate patriotism in the youth of today. 10) In my opinion, the first step should be focused upon giving fuller play to the potentials of patriotic education centers instead of running them for the purpose of making money. 11) Then, greater efforts must be made to integrate the patriotic educationinto the curriculums throughout youth’s education. 12) In one word, where there is an effective patriotic education of youth, there is a greater enhancement of national cohesiveness.拒绝某人turn Sb. down改变某人的一生transform one’s life…并非偶然It's probably no accident that…一个穿工作裤的女孩 a young girl in overalls关注with an eye to …一个说话尖刻的女人 a woman with an acid tongue美味的食物comfort food不操心… don't bother with sth.以…投入到生活plunge into one’s life as…表达对…的感激express one’s gratitude for …一次去…的倒霉之旅n ill-fated trip to …某人脚踏实地one’s feet are planted firmly on the ground在多方面有起色take off in many directions。
Paragraph Writing
Paragraph WritingHow to write a paragraphMany people need help writing a paragraph. If you don't know how to write a paragraph, it can be a difficult thing to do. Here is a way to make it easier.Getting started on your paragraphBefore you start writing a paragraph, you need to decide two things. What are you writing about? What do you want to say? The purpose of any paragraph is to express an idea. Most paragraphs consist of a few related sentences.You can write a successful paragraph by starting off with a plan. The key to doing a successful paragraph is to break down the writing into short, simple steps.∙Subject of your paragraphWrite down the subject of your paragraph. To express your subject, write only a word or phrase. Who or what are you writing about?∙Pre-writing for your paragraphBegin by brainstorming. Brainstorming doesn't involve writing complete sentences orparagraphs. Brainstorming involves coming up with ideas using words or shortphrases.∙One popular way to create pre-writing ideas is to ask yourself questions about your subject.Here are some questions you might ask yourself:What do I know about this subject? How does this subject relate to me? What do I like or dislike about this subject? What words best describe it?Write only a word or phrase in response to each question.Building the body of your paragraphRe-read all your words and phrases. Now, organize your thoughts. Decide if your brainstorming ideas are related. Do you want to add a new word or phrase or take something out? Next, decide if you like the order of your brainstorming ideas, or want to change the order.Writing a paragraph draftA lot of people get nervous when it's time to write. Don't worry. This is going to be your first draft. The important thing is to take your brainstorming ideas, add to them, and turn them into sentences.∙Topic sentenceRe-read the word or phrase about the subject of your paragraph. You are going toexpand this into the first sentence of your paragraph.This first sentence, which comes at the beginning of a paragraph, is called the topicsentence. Remember that its job is to introduce your paragraph.∙Paragraph bodyRe-read your brainstorming words or phrases for the body of your paragraph. Expand each brainstorming word or phrase into a complete sentence. These sentencesexplain your topic sentence by offering facts, details, or examples.Remember that the job of your paragraph body is to share an idea with your reader.∙Concluding sentenceRe-read your paragraph and then add another sentence that sums up the paragraph.This sentence ends your paragraph. …………………………………………………………………………………………………….. Parts of a paragraphTopic SentenceWhat is the topic sentence?The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph.What does it do?It introduces the main idea of the paragraph.How do I write one?Summarize the main idea of your paragraph. Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will be about.There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.Supporting DetailsWhat are supporting sentences?They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of a paragraph.What do they do?They give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph.How do I write them?You should give supporting facts, details, and examples.Example:There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.Closing SentenceWhat is the closing sentence?The closing sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph.What does it do?It restates the main idea of your paragraph.How do I write one?Restate the main idea of the paragraph using different words.There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.…………………………………………………………………………………………………….. How to write a paragraphPrewriting ParagraphsWhat is the prewriting stage?The prewriting stage is when you think carefully and organize your ideas for your paragraph before you begin writing.Six Prewriting Steps:1. Think carefully about what you are going to write. Ask yourself: What question am I going to answer in this paragraph or essay? How can I best answer this question? What is the most important part of my answer? How can I make an introductory sentence (or thesis statement) from the most important part of my answer? What facts or ideas can I use to support my introductory sentence? How can I make this paragraph or essay interesting? Do I need more facts on this topic? Where can I find more facts on this topic?2. Open your notebook. Write out your answers to the above questions. You do not need to spend a lot of time doing this; just write enough to help you remember why and how you are going to write your paragraph or essay.3. Collect facts related to your paragraph or essay topic. Look for and write down facts that will help you to answer your question. Timesaving hint: make sure the facts you are writing are related to the exact question you are going to answer in your paragraph or essay.4. Write down your own ideas. Ask yourself: What else do I want to say about this topic? Why should people be interested in this topic? Why is this topic important?5. Find the main idea of your paragraph or essay. Choose the most important point you are going to present. If you cannot decide which point is the most important, just choose one point and stick to it throughout your paragraph or essay.6. Organize your facts and ideas in a way that develops your main idea. Once you have chosen the most important point of your paragraph or essay, you must find the best way to tell your reader about it. Look at the facts you have written. Look at your own ideas on the topic. Decide which facts and ideas will best support the main idea of your paragraph. Once you have chosen the facts and ideas you plan to use, ask yourself which order to put them in the paragraph. Write down your own note set that you can use to guide yourself as you write your paragraph or essay.Writing ParagraphsWhat is the writing stage?The writing stage is when you turn your ideas into sentences.Five Writing Steps:1.Open your notebook and word processor.2. Write the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and closing sentence.3. Write clear and simple sentences to express your meaning.4. Focus on the main idea of your paragraph.5. Use the dictionary to help you find additional words to express your ideasEditing ParagraphsWhat is the editing stage?The editing stage is when you check your paragraph for mistakes and correct them.Grammar and Spelling1. Check your spelling.2. Check your grammar.3. Read your essay again.4. Make sure each sentence has a subject.5. See if your subjects and verbs agree with each other.6. Check the verb tenses of each sentence.7. Make sure that each sentence makes sense.Style and Organization1.Make sure your paragraph has a topic sentence.2. Make sure your supporting sentences focus on the main idea.3. Make sure you have a closing sentence.4. Check that all your sentences focus on the main idea.5. See if your paragraph is interestingPublishing ParagraphsWhat is the publishing stage?The publishing stage is when you produce a final copy of your paragraph to hand in.Three Publishing Steps:1. Make a paper copy of your paragraph.2. Show your work to your teacher, tutor, or parents.3. Ask them for hints on how to improve your writing ……………………………………………………………………….. Kinds of paragraphsDefinition ParagraphWhen writing a definition paragraph, you take a thing or an idea and explain what it is. Example:Write a paragraph giving the definition of a pest.The following words can help you to write a good definition paragraph:1. "is defined as"Example: A pest is defined as any animal or plant that damages crops, forests, or property.2. "is a kind of"Example: A pest is a kind of animal or plant that damages crops, forests, or property.Classification ParagraphWhen writing a classification paragraph, you group things or ideas into specific categories. Example: Write a paragraph discussing two types of energy resources.The following words can help you to write a good classification paragraph:is a kind ofCoal is a kind of non-renewable resource.can be divided intoEnergy resources can be divided into two types.is a type ofCoal is a type of non-renewable resource.falls underCoal falls under the category of non-renewable resources.belongs toCoal belongs to the category of non-renewable resources.is a part ofCoal is a part of the category of non-renewable resources.fits intoCoal fits into the category of non-renewable resources.is grouped withCoal is grouped with non-renewable resources.is related toCoal is related to other non-renewable resources.is associated withCoal is associated with other non-renewable resources.Description ParagraphIn a description paragraph, you are writing about what a person, place, or thing is like. Sometimes, you may describe where a place is located.Examples:Write a paragraph describing what a polar bear looks like.Describe where Canada's industry is located.The following words can help you to write a good description paragraph:Helper Words:PropertiessizeExample: Polar bears are big in size.colourExample: Polar bears are usually white in colour.shapeExample: Polar bears have a special shape.purposeExample: The purpose of the polar bear's fur is to keep it warm.MeasurementlengthExample: The length of a polar bear's claws is 20 cm.widthExample: The width of a polar bear's head is about 50 cm.mass / weightExample: Polar bears weigh up to 650 kg.speedExample: Polar bears can swim at a speed of 40 km per hour.Analogyis likeExample: A polar bear is like other bears in shape.resemblesExample: A polar bear resembles other bears in shape.LocationinExample: Most of Canada's manufacturing is located in Ontario and Quebec.aboveExample: The ceiling is above us.belowExample: Most of Ontario is below Hudson Bay.besideExample: Quebec is located beside Ontario.nearExample: Many companies are located near Toronto.north / east / south / westExample: Ontario is west of Quebec.Compare and Contrast ParagraphIn a compare and contrast paragraph, you write about the similarities and differences between two or more people, places, things, or ideas.Example: Write a paragraph comparing the weather in Vancouver and Halifax.The following words can help you to write a good compare and contrast paragraph:Helper Words:Similaritiesis similar toExample: Spring weather in Vancouver is similar to spring weather in Halifax.bothExample: Both Vancouver and Halifax have rain in the spring.alsoExample: Halifax also has a rainy spring season.tooExample: Halifax has a rainy spring season, too.as wellExample: As well, Halifax has rainy spring season.Differenceson the other handExample: On the other hand, winter is much colder in Halifax.howeverExample: However, winter is much colder in Halifax.butExample: Vancouver has a mild winter, but Halifax has a cold one.in contrast toExample: In contrast to Vancouver, Halifax has a cold winter.differs from /withExample: Halifax differs from Vancouver by having a cold winter.whileExample: While Vancouver has a mild winter, Halifax has a cold winterSequence ParagraphIn a sequencing paragraph, you are writing to describe a series of events or a process in some sort of order. Usually, this order is based on time.Example: Write a paragraph outlining how a person becomes the prime minister.The following words can help you to write a good sequence paragraph.Helper Words:first, second, third, etc.Example: First, you need to become a leader of a political party. Second, you need to win a seat in the House of Commons. Third, your party must have a majority of seats.in the beginningExample: In the beginning, you need to become a leader of a political party.beforeExample: Before becoming the prime minister, you need to become the leader of a political party.thenExample: Then, you must win a seat in the House of Commons.afterExample: After winning a seat in the House of Commons, you must make sure you have a majority of seats.finallyExample: Finally, after all these steps, you can call yourself the prime minister.at lastExample: At last, you can call yourself the prime minister.subsequentlyExample: Subsequently, you must make sure you have a majority of seats in the House of Commons.TimerecentlyExample: She was recently elected prime minister.previouslyExample: She is the new prime minister. Previously, she worked as a lawyer in Toronto.afterwardsExample: She won the party leadership last year. Afterwards, she won the election.whenExample: When she won the party leadership, she was still working as a lawyer.Example: After winning a seat in the House of Commons, you must make sure you have a majority of seats.Choice ParagraphIn a paragraph where you have to make a choice, you need to choose which object, idea, or action that you prefer. Often, you will need to give your opinion on a choice of actions or events.Example: Write a paragraph stating whether you would prefer to play hockey or lacrosse. The following words can help you to write a good choice paragraph:Helper Words:*****Point of Viewin my opinionExample: In my opinion, hockey is more fun than lacrosse.beliefExample: My belief is that hockey is more fun than lacrosse.ideaExample: My idea is that hockey is more fun than lacrosse.understandingExample: My understanding is that hockey is more fun than lacrosse.I think thatExample: I think that I would prefer to play hockey and not lacrosse.I considerExample: I consider hockey to be more exciting than lacrosse.I believeExample: I believe hockey is more exciting than lacrosse.it seems to meExample: It seems to me that hockey is more exciting than lacrosse.I preferExample: I prefer hockey over lacrosse.Personal Opinionslike/dislikeExample: I like the sport of hockey because it is fast and exciting.hopeExample: I hope that I can play hockey in the future.feelExample: I feel that hockey is my favorite sport.Explanation ParagraphIn an explanation paragraph, you need to explain how or why something happens. Very often in social studies class, you will be asked to explore causes and effects of certain events.Example: Write a paragraph explaining why so many Europeans moved to Canada during the nineteenth century.The following words can help you to write a good explanation paragraph:Helper Words:CausebecauseExample: People moved to Canada from Europe during the nineteenth century because they had poor living conditions in Europe.sinceExample: Since living conditions in Europe were terrible, many people moved to Canada.as a result ofExample: People moved to Canada from Europe as a result of poor living conditions in Europe.is due to / was due toExample: The large influx of people to Canada was due to economic pressures in Europe. EffectthereforeExample: Living conditions in Europe were terrible. Therefore, many people moved to Canada for a better life.thusExample: Living conditions in Europe were terrible. Thus, many people moved to Canada for a better life.consequentlyExample: Living conditions were terrible in Europe. Consequently, many people moved to Canada.henceExample: Living conditions were terrible in Europe. Hence, many people moved to Canada.it follows thatExample: Living conditions were terrible in Europe. It follows that many people moved to Canada.if ... thenExample: If living conditions were better in Europe, then fewer people would have moved to Canada.Evaluation ParagraphIn an evaluation paragraph, you make judgments about people, ideas, and possible actions. You need to make your evaluation based on certain criteria that you develop. In the paragraph, you will state your evaluation or recommendation and then support it by referring to your criteria.Example: Write a paragraph evaluating whether pesticides should be used on farms.The following words can help you to write a good evaluation paragraph:Helper WordsCriteriagood / badExample: The use of pesticides such as DDT is bad for the environment.correct / incorrectExample: The belief that pesticides must be used is incorrect.moral / immoralExample: The use of pesticides to control pests is immoral because it harms the environment.right / wrongExample: It is wrong to use pesticides because they harm the environment.important / trivialExample: The issue of pesticides is an important one because it affects the environment. RecommendationsuggestExample: I suggest that pesticides should not be used to control pests.recommendExample: I recommend that pesticides should not be used because they are harmful to the environment.adviseExample: I would advise farmers not to use pesticides if possible.argueExample: I would argue that pesticides should not be used because they harm the environment.。
Paragraph Writing 1
Doing Sth.—My Most Rewarding Experience(理由陈述) (理由陈述)
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Ⅵ. Paragraph Writing 写作模式
Topic Sentence
Detail 1
1) As one of my most rewarding experiences, doing something has brought a lot of benefits to my lifWriting
it adds no little to the improvement of my English. 5) Through online chatting, I have more chances to speak with native speakers, thus bathing myself in the sea of genuine English. 6) The most valuable result of chatting online is that it gives me insights into other cultures and keeps my mind open to better ways of seeing things. 7) Now I tend to see things from a more objective
Detail 2 Detail 3
Conclusion
2) For one thing, … 理由I) (理由I) 3)Unlike…, 3)Unlike…, it offers me much freedom to …
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4) For another… (理由II) 理由II) 5)Through 5)Through …, I have more chances to …
paragraph_writing 段落写作
How to achieve paragraph unity?
• Begin with a discussible point and express it in a topic sentence. • Stick to this single point throughout, that is, all other sentences should be about this point. • Prove or develop the point; don’t merely repeat it. • Link your sentences to make your ideas easy to follow.
How to write an ideal topic sentence?
• Make a single point. (A paragraph that tries to deal with two topics at the same time confuses the reader.)
• Make a discussible point. (A topic sentence should state your own opinion, point of view, or feelings on the topic, not a fact. It should give you something to say.)
• Paragraph 2
The tradition of exchanging gifts at Christmas is practiced differently in different families. In my family, for example, we exchange wrapped presents on Christmas Eve after dinner. On Christmas Day there are also gifts from Santa Claus under the tree for my sister and me. Santa Claus has been bringing such gifts to our house since I was a child, and my sister and I like the tradition so well that even though we’re now grown-up, we’ve asked him never to stop. In my best friend Jane’s family, on the other hand, the gifts are not opened on Christmas Eve but on Christmas Day. Santa Claus stopped coming by their house once the children became teenagers. The gifts to each other, however, are not labeled, so you never know who gives what. Nevertheless, one thing stays the same: both families enjoy the spirit of Christmas equally,
Paragraph Writing (I)
A row of lettuce and other salad vegetables along the top included every shade of green imaginable. Cases of smaller fruit—deep purple grapes, grass green avocados –made the large fruit look even larger. The display was framed by bunches of Indiana corn hanging all around and bordered at the bottom by earthen colored squash. Indeed the marketplace was a scene to awake the senses.
• Coherence • Sample 1 • Although most people know that the success
of a television show is measured by its ratings, few know exactly how shows are rated. First, a rating company installs meters in a few thousand representative homes in a particular area. When the television set in one of these homes is turned on, the meter records the day, time and the channel. The meter then electronically sends this information to the rating company’s headquarters. A computer at the headquarters records all of the information from all the homes in the area. Finally, the computer prints a rating sheet that shows how many homes watched each show and which shows are the most popular.
Paragraph Writing (II)
Then the food that had been laid out for the dead is now thrown into a river or into the sea as it is considered unlucky for anyone living to eat it. In towns that are near the sea, the tiny lanterns, which had been hung in the streets the night before, are placed into the water. This signals the end of the festival. Thousands of lanterns then slowly drift out to sea guiding the dead on their return journey to the other world. This is a moving spectacle, for Crowds of people stand on the shore watching the lanterns drifting away until they can be seen no more.
• A list of expressions that are commonly used to
indicate space
Development by Space
next to, across, on the opposite side, to the left, to the right, in front, in back, above, below, behind, nearby, under, beyond, in the foreground, in the background, foreground to background
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2.1.2 The Analysis of a Model Paragraph
Although paragraphs are made up of sentences, single, correct and effective sentences put together do not necessarily make an effective paragraph. Following is a very good paragraph. Examine it and find out the features of an effective paragraph.
The Analysis of Students’ Writings
Paragraph 1
Original: [1] We must pay more attention to environmental problem, for example, while the industry develops well, the CO2 content in air raised, the quality of water dropped, those problems will make our future living difficult than before. [2] There are many environmental problems need be solved. [3] Like the wreck of the forest, the wreck of the environment, air pollution, aquatic pollution, noise pollution, soil pollution, etc.
1.
2.
3.
4. 5.
Thus, we can conclude that an effective paragraph generally has five fundamental features: one and only one central idea——unity; well-organized supporting evidence—— completeness; close connection between the sentences——coherence; a good conclusion; sentence variety.
Paragraph 2
Original: [1]Innovations, whether practical or aesthetic, are often resisted by the general population. [2]When the early experiments in the field of aviation began their work, there were many who said, “If God had wanted man to fly, he would have given him wings. [3]The Wright brothers made the first powered flights in a heavier-than-air craft in 1903 at Kitty Hawk，North Carolina. [4] Even today there are many who strongly object to modern art and music as being nothing more than “splashes of paint and honking horns.” [5]The painter Picasso's well-known masterpiece “The Three Musicians” is done primarily in blues and browns. (Source: )
[7] And with all his classmates living in the same quarter, he can easily find someone with whom he can discuss the problems he comes across in study whenever he has one. [8] He may also have time to discuss with teachers who also live inside the university. [9] Thirdly, living at school may provide the student many chances for academic activities, which benefits his professional career. [10] For all these advantages, many students choose to stay on the campus rather than living at home.
Paragraph Writing
2-1-1 Introduction
A paragraph is a basic unit of organization in writing. All essays are made up of paragraphs. They run between sentences and essays in terms of the length of composition.
Use of Linking Devices
As mentioned previously, coherence is a basic feature in an effective paragraph. A paragraph has coherence if its sentences relate to one another, if a reader can link the ideas in one sentence with those in the next without feeling that there are gaps in the thought or that relationships between thought are not clear. If a paragraph lacks coherence, the reader will have difficulty understanding what the paragraph is all about. There are two common ways to achieve coherence: 1) Effective organization of supporting ideas; 2) Linguistic techniques.
Revision We must pay more attention to environmental problems as they are becoming increasingly serious. For example, while the factories develop well, the CO2 content in air raised and the quality of water dropped, too. Other problems include the forest removal, air contamination, noise pollution, soil erosion, etc. These problems will make our future living more difficult.
Model
[1] For a university student in China, living on the campus is beneficial to his study. [2] Firstly, the atmosphere can help to make him feel pressed and therefore work hard. [3] Wherever he goes, he may come across some other students working in the classroom, in the library, in the garden or even in a corner on the sports ground. [4] He may even find students practicing English on the way to the classroom. [5] Secondly, living at school is extremely convenient. [6] The student does not have to worry about any traffic jam or the long hour from homen, several ways of organizing supporting ideas may be employed in one paragraph. For example: The first sign I noticed of economic depression was the sharp decrease in the number of people shopping in the first-rate supermarket near my house. Not long after, many workers lost their jobs with factories and business, including some of my neighbors and relatives. Very soon, my brother, who owned a private business, made his decision to sell his company and move to a larger city.