1 / 12

Characteristics of Effective Paragraphs

This chapter discusses the characteristics of effective paragraphs, including unity, the topic sentence, adequate development, and organization. It also explores strategies for coherence and the use of transition devices.

stephenbates
Download Presentation

Characteristics of Effective Paragraphs

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Chapter 14 Paragraphs

  2. Characteristics of Effective Paragraphs • Unity • The Topic Sentence • Adequate Development • Organization

  3. Unity -A paragraph with unity develops one, and only one, key controlling idea. To ensure unity, edit out any stray ideas that don’t belong and fight the urge to take interesting, but irrelevant side trips; they only create confusion about your destination.

  4. The Topic Sentence • The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. Think of the topic sentence as a rallying point, with all supporting sentences developing the idea it expresses

  5. Stated First-Writer reveals the central idea immediately ,then build from that base

  6. Stated Last-Build to a gradual conclusion in order to create suspense as the reader anticipates the summarizing remark

  7. First and Last-Allows the writer to repeat an especially important idea.

  8. Stated in the Middle-The topic sentence falls between one set of sentences that provide background info and a follow-up set that develops the central idea.

  9. Adequate Development -How long should a paragraph be????? Instead of targeting a particular length, ask yourself what the reader needs to know. Then supply enough information to make your point clearly.

  10. ***Remember***Developing a paragraph inadequately is like inviting guests to a party but failing to tell them when and where it will be held.

  11. Organization • An effective paragraph unfolds in a clear pattern of organization so that the reader can easily follow the flow of ideas. First you must choose a strategy and the choice you make depends upon your material and purpose in writing. • Writing Strategies 1. Time Sequence 2. Space Sequence 3. Process analysis 4. Illustration 5. Classification 6. Comparison 7. Cause and Effect 8. Definition 9. Argument

  12. Coherence • Coherent writing flows smoothly and easily from one sentence and paragraph to another, clarifying the relationship among ideas and thus allowing the reader to grasp connections. Because incoherent writing fails to do this, it confuses , and sometimes even irritates the reader. • Transition Devices 1. Connecting words 2. Repeated key words 3. Pronouns and demonstrative adjectives 4. Parallelism

More Related