Creating Strong Paragraphs

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Creating Strong Paragraphs

• ELA 9
• November, 2006

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What is a paragraph?

• a paragraph is a series of sentences that are
  organized and coherent, and are all related to a
  single topic
• paragraphs can contain many different kinds of
  information
• all paragraphs share certain characteristics

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Characteristics of a paragraph

• Unity it is focused on one main idea
• Structure it has an introduction, body and
  conclusion
• Coherence each sentence relates clearly to the
  topic sentence

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The topic sentence

• a well-organized paragraph supports or develops a
  main idea, which is expressed in a sentence
  called the topic sentence.
• it is often the first sentence of the paragraph
• all other sentences in the paragraph should
  relate to the topic sentence

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Structure

• Introduction the first section of a paragraph
  should include the topic sentence and any other
  sentences at the beginning of the paragraph that
  give background information
• Body follows the introduction discusses the
  main idea, using facts, arguments, examples, and
  other information.
• Conclusion the final section summarizes the
  connections between the information discussed in
  the body of the paragraph and the paragraphs
  main idea.

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Some tips for structure!

• Create a strong intro
• to attract your readers attention, arouse
  curiosity
• to specify what you will discuss, what your
  attitude is
• Create a strong conclusion
• do not add any new info
• avoid coming to a sudden stop
• revisit the thesis statement
• include a closing thought or statement

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Coherence

• coherence is the orderly presentation of ideas
• one sentence should logically, sensibly, grow out
  of the preceding sentence
• there are many ways to help make a paragraph
  coherent

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Some ways to make a paragraph coherent

• Arrange sentences by
• Order of Importance
• Order of Generality
• Comparison and Contrast
• Cause and Effect
• Repeat key words or phrases.
• Be consistent in point of view and verb tense

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So why are paragraphs important?

• They provide an essential way for writers to
  guide their readers understanding
• They are an effective way to communicate your
  thoughts, which is an essential component of
  success

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Is this a good paragraph?

• The Inventor was an amazing sight. His
  coat was dusty and dirty, and smeared with green
  down the sleeves his hair disordered, and it
  seemed to me grayer--either with dust and dirt or
  because its color had actually faded. His face
  was ghastly pale his chin had a brown cut on
  it--a cut half healed his expression was haggard
  and drawn, as by intense suffering. He looked
  like a mad scientist from another planet!
• 
  http//english.glendale.
  cc.ca.us/topic21.html