English Comprehension and Composition

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English Comprehension and Composition Lecture 16
Objectives Paragraph Writing
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What is a paragraph?

• A developed, but manageable thought.

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Writing a ParagraphHamburger Model

• The hamburger paragraph format provides a clear
  structure for writing an organized paragraph.

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Essentials of a Good Paragraph

• Unity
• A good topic sentence
• Logical sequence of thoughts
• Variety
• A comprehensive final sentence

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Hamburger Paragraphs

• How to write a really
• great paragraph!

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The Topic Sentence (Top Bun)

• Very first sentence of your paragraph.
• Always needs to be indented.
• Tells what your paragraph is going to be about.

There are many reasons that I love to
teach. First of all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to teach.

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The First Detail (Lettuce)
There are many reasons that I love to
teach. First of all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to teach.

• Should not be the most important detail.
• Needs to follow directly after the topic
  sentence.
• Needs to be full of good lettucy details!

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The Second Detail (Tomato)
There are many reasons that I love to
teach. First of all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to teach.

• Still should not be the most important detail.
• Needs to follow directly after the lettuce
  sentence.
• Needs to be full of good juicy details!

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The Third Detail (Cheese)
There are many reasons that I love to
teach. First of all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to teach.

• Still not be the most important detail.
• Needs to start differently than other sentences.
• Needs to be full of good cheesy details!

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The Last Detail (Meat)
There are many reasons that I love to
teach. First of all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to teach.

• Finally!! The most important detail.
• Should start differently than most of the other
  sentences.
• Needs to be full of good meaty details!

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The Closing Sentence (Bottom Bun)

• Should look a lot like the topic sentence.
• Needs to summarize the topic.
• Needs to be an obvious end to the sentence.

There are many reasons that I love to
teach. First of all, I love to teach because I
love being at school. Another reason I love
teaching is that the days go by quickly. A third
reason I love to teach is because I love seeing a
student understand something new. Finally, I love
to teach because I love to be around kids. These
are just a few reasons I love to teach.

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How to Write a ParagraphSome Exercises
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The topic sentence introduces the main idea of a
paragraph.

• Although most people believe that mans best
  friend is a dog, I think it should be a cat.
• Cats have been used as pets since the time of
  the pharaohs in Egypt. They have been found in
  countries all over the world. Obviously, cats
  have been the favorites of man for hundreds of
  years. I suppose cats are so well liked because
  they are gentle, friendly and easy to take care
  of.

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Whats missing?

• He collects books that were written over a
  hundred years ago. But he is also interested in
  the best sellers of today. If I ever need to get
  him a present, I know I can always please him by
  buying him a book.

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Whats missing?

• The most beautiful flower is the rose because it
  comes in so many different colors. Another
  beautiful flower is the daisy which sometimes
  grows wild. Spring flowers like tulips,
  daffodils, and crocuses are also very pretty.

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Whats missing?

• 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. Finally,
  Canadas cities are clean and efficiently
  managed.

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He collects books that were written over a
hundred years ago. But he is also interested in
the best sellers of today. If I ever need to get
him a present, I know I can always please him by
buying him a book.

• Which of the following topic sentences is the
  best one for the above paragraph?
• A. Reading is fun.
• B. Books are my fathers hobby.
• C. My father was a main influence in my life.

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The most beautiful flower is the rose because it
comes in so many different colors. Another
beautiful flower is the daisy which sometimes
grows wild. Spring flowers like tulips,
daffodils, and crocuses are also very pretty.

• Which of the following topic sentences is the
  best one for the above paragraph?
• A. Dont you just love spring?
• B. The rose is the most loved flower the world
  over.
• C. There are many lovely flowers to consider for
  your garden.

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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. Finally,
Canadas cities are clean and efficiently managed

• A. Canada is our friendly neighbor to the north.
• B. There are three reasons why Canada is one of
  the best countries of the world.
• C. Choose Canada as a great place to vacation.

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Write a paragraph on any one of the following
topics.

1. My Idea of a Fun Weekend
2. My Favourite Restaurant
3. My Most Embarrassing Moment
4. If I Were a Teacher
5. My First School Memories

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Recap

• What is a Paragraph
• Hamburger Model
• Exercises

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References

• The material has been adapted from the following
  links
• http//www.google.com.pk/url?satrctjqparagrap
  hwritingpptsourcewebcd1ved0CE4QFjAAurlht
  tp3A2F2Fweb.cn.edu2Fkwheeler2Fppt2Fparagraph
  .ppseivQwRUMnuCuXF0QWp0IGwCwusgAFQjCNEV31nZiDs
  aNJEkEHI4ChcdsVhtfg
• http//www.google.com.pk/url?satrctjqhamburge
  rparagraphwritingpptsourcewebcd1ved0CFEQF
  jAAurlhttp3A2F2Fwww.readingrockets.org2Fcont
  ent2Fpdfs2Fparahamburger.pptei4Q0RUOaJIMGw0AXV
  y4DQBgusgAFQjCNGltgFBrsaVoWUpwTGEB0SANuNbDw
• http//www.google.com.pk/url?satrctjqhamburge
  rparagraphwritingpptsourcewebcd7ved0CF4QF
  jAGurlhttp3A2F2Feng-lang-arts-6-preap01.hcms.
  eanesisd.net2Fmodules2Flocker2Ffiles2Fget_grou
  p_file.phtml3Fgid3D185794726fid3D7787447ei4Q
  0RUOaJIMGw0AXVy4DQBgusgAFQjCNEGJfN3y8yUIpxgKna0_
  CrDUNamVg
• http//www3.pef.uni-lj.si/tujijeziki/rp/1_letnik/
  exercises_on_paragraph_writing.pdf
• http//www.victoria.ac.nz/llc/academic-writing/
• http//www.uefap.com/writing/exercise/parag/parage
  x3.htm