Writing Essays

Language IV Fourth Year Alejandra Garrini
Paragraph development by examples

The example paragraph is a kind of list paragraph, in which example sentences closely support the topic sentence. There is, of course, a terminator. Examine the following paragraph.
Effective Writing-A Must in Universities

The ability to write well organised, concise paragraphs is essential to a student's success in almost all university courses. In preparing scientific reports of laboratory experiments, a student must present his findings in logical order and clear language in order to receive a favourable evaluation of his work. To write successful answers to essay questions on history or anthropology examinations, a student must arrange the relevant facts and opinions according to some accepted pattern of paragraph structure. And certainly when a student writes a book report for English, or a critique for political studies, or a term paper for sociology, style and organisation are often as important as content. Clearly, skill in expository writing is crucial to successful achievement in most university subjects.
1a The key words or ideas in the first two sentences of the paragraph are in italics. Write these words on the first two Iines below. Find the key ideas in the remaining sentences and write short phrases for each on lines 3 to 5.
1b Familiarise yourself with the following symbols and definitions which will be used in analysing paragraph structure: TS - stands for topic sentence, a sentence that states the main idea of a paragraph. E - stands for example sentence, a sentence that presents a specific example or illustration related to the topic sentence. R stands for restatement sentence, a sentence that in essence repeats or restates the main idea of the topic sentence in different words. The restatement gives the effect of rounding off the paragraph by circling back to the idea of the topic sentence. The restatement is one kind of paragragh terminator. 1c Which sentence in main idea of the paragraph expresses the main idea? (TS) 1d What is the relationship between sentence 2 and sentence 1? Which sentence expresses a general ideas? Which sentence expresses a specific example? 1e What is the relationship between sentence 3 and sentence 1? What is the relationship sentence 3 and sentence 2? 1f Does the final sentence function as an adequate terminator? Why? 2
1g The following symbols describe the structure of the paragraph: TS / E1, E2, E3 / R
2. In the following paragraph two elements are missing-a topic sentence and a restatement sentence. As you read the example sentences, try to think of a TS and an R which might begin and end the paragraph.
Social Concerns in Modern Literature
For example, many contemporary novels of Africa and India depict the lives of ordinary people struggling against adversity. Furthermore, poetry from South America and North America speaks out against social and economic oppression. In still another instance, modern European drama enacts the fate of the working man in his drab confrontation with life. Even films, popular songs, and folk drama from all around the world, tell the story of the little man and his battle against the giants of impersonal corporations, remote governments, or aggressive neighbouring nations. ________________________________________
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2.1 In the space at the beginning of the paragraph write a topic sentence. The sentence should be a general statement that would cause a reader to want more information in the form of specific examples. 2.2 At the end of the paragraph write a restatement sentence. This sentence should do two things: 1) repeat or restate in different words the ideas of the topic sentence; 2) terminate the listing of examples so that the reader feels that a satisfactory conclusion has been reached. 3 What symbols would you use to describe the paragraph structure?
3. In the following paragraph two elements are missing a topic sentence and a restatement sentence. As you read the example sentences, try to think of a TS and a R which might begin and end the paragraph.
For example, in the less populated regions of the world such as tribal areas, laws or customs may be enforced by a council of elders or by a strong chief or leader of the tribe much in the manner of a father who decides what behaviour is best for his children. As another example, in the sparsely populated great open land of places like Australia, Canada, Siberia, and Brazil, a few policemen must travel great distances to enforce laws made to protect people and property. In countries where most of the people live in crowded urban areas, on the other hand, law enforcement is usually in the hands of large numbers of police who are directly responsible to the chief governmental official for that area. As still another instance, countries have cooperated in establishing various organisations and methods, including military or police action, to enforce the rules and laws agreed to by a majority of the co-operating nations. ______________________________________________________
Language IV Fourth Year Alejandra Garrini 3.1 In the space at the beginning of the paragraph write a topic sentence. The sentence should be a general statement that would cause a reader to want more information in the form of specific examples. 3.2 At the end of the paragraph write a restatement sentence. This sentence should do two things: 1) repeat or restate in different words the ideas of the topic sentence; 2) terminate the listing of examples so that the reader feels that a satisfactory conclusion has been reached. 3.3 Write a title in the blank space provided directly above the paragraph. 3.4 What is the structure of the resulting paragraph? (Symbols)
Imhoff, Maurice, Hudson, Herman From Paragraph to Essay, De veloping Composiion Writing, Longman

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Language IV Fourth Year Alejandra Garrini

Paragraph development by examples

Effective Writing-A Must in Universities

Language IV Fourth Year Alejandra Garrini

Language IV Fourth Year Alejandra Garrini

Social Concerns in Modern Literature

Language IV Fourth Year Alejandra Garrini

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