Lecture 22

Writing an Effective Paragraph

Review of Lecture 21

• In lecture 21, we learnt how to– Understand and appreciate songs in English– Analyze song lyrics

Objectives of Lecture 22

• After completing lecture 22, you should be able to– Identify elements of effective paragraphs– Analyze types and structure of various paragraphs– Write unified, cohesive and coherent paragraph

What is a Paragraph?

• A paragraph is a group of sentences that tells about one subject or area.

• Each sentence in a paragraph must give information about the topic

Reasons to Write a Paragraph

1. Describe something2. Tell a story3. Explain something4. To Persuade

Parts of a Paragraph• Topic sentence: States the main idea of the paragraph. It tells

the reader what the paragraph will be about. A good topic sentence does two things: 1. It names a subject 2.) It give the focus or main point

Ex: Subject: Egypt Main Focus: ReligionEx: Subject: Egyptian Religion Main Focus: Gods

• Supporting Details: Sentences that are connected to the main idea. They include information or details the reader needs in order to understand the topic. Sentences should be ordered in the best possible order. 3 main ways to do this is either by time, location or importance.

• Closing: Sums up the paragraph’s message. It reminds the readers of the topic.

Supporting Details:

Topic Sentence:

Closing Statement:

The ancient Egyptians believed in many different gods and goddesses and each one had their own role to play in maintaining peace and harmony across the land. Some gods and goddesses took part in creation. Other gods and goddesses brought the flood every year. Some offered protection, and some took care of people after they died. Egyptians had local gods who represented towns, and minor gods who represented plants or animals. The ancient Egyptians believed that it was important to recognize and worship these gods and goddesses so that life continued smoothly.

Topic Sentence

Closing Statement

DETAILS

Think of a good topic sentence for this set of details.

• Penguin Moms lay the eggs and afterwards leave to get food for 2months.

• Penguin dads incubate the egg until it hatches. • They take turns caring for their chick and

feeding in the sea. • Once the egg hatches, The young stay

sheltered in the pouch of the mother while the father brings food.

Student Examples of Topic Sentences

• Mother and father penguins both take care of their young.

• Mother and father penguins play a very important role in raising their young.

• Penguin mom and dads are very good parents.• Penguin parents are very protective of their

young and I will show you how.

Paragraph Details

• Topic Sentence:Arizona has been thinking about extending the school year from May to June, but I think that they should not extend the school year.

What are some details you would expect to see in this paragraph?

Examples

• Some details in this paragraph might be about…

– Why Arizona is extending the school year– When they plan to extend the school year– Reasons why it is a bad idea

Egypt is most famous for their pyramids. There are over 100 pyramids in Egypt but that information is unknown to many people. The most popular and well known pyramids are the Pyramids of Giza. They are located in Cairo. Pyramids were tombs for pharaohs. To complete the pyramids, workers hauled and lifted millions of limestone blocks that weighed an average of 2 and 1/2 tons each. They didn’t have iron tools or wheeled vehicles. The workers carried each stone by hand, pulled them on sleds, and lifted them up mud ramps to be placed on the slowly rising structure.

Think of a Closing Statement for this paragraph

Examples of Closing Statements

• Now we are glad that the Egyptians worked so hard so that we can admire the beauty.

• The pyramids have been standing in Egypt for a long time, and they still stand for people to see.

• You can see why the Egyptian would be proud of all this hard work.

• We hope that someday scientist will be bale to figure out how Egyptians built these ancient structures.

Let’s build a Paragraph

A Life of Adventure mary seacole was born in 1805 in kingston jamaica her mother practised as a ‘doctress’ using medical knowledge which women had brought from africa and developed in the tropics from her mother mary inherited her medical skills as well as her ability to run a boarding house from her father a scottish military man she inherited her fascination with army life mary’s own medical reputation was established during a series of cholera and yellow fever epidemics she made her own medicines and emphasised high standards of hygeine as well as enforcing strict quarantine on victims by these methods she saved many lives on the outbreak of the crimean war mary volunteered her services to the british army although she had worked for the army before at its own request this time she was turned down undaunted mary made her own way to the war zone once in the crimea she not only nursed the soldiers but also ran a hotel and sold food wine and medicines after the war mary was treated as a celebrity she was decorated by the governments of four countries in england a poem in her honour was published in punch and even the royal family requested her company and medical expertise

mary seacole was born in 1805 in kingston jamaica her mother practised as a ‘doctress’ using medical knowledge which women had brought from africa and developed in the tropics from her mother mary inherited her medical skills as well as her ability to run a boarding house from her father a scottish military man she inherited her fascination with army life mary’s own medical reputation was established during a series of cholera and yellow fever epidemics she made her own medicines and emphasised high standards of hygeine as well as enforcing strict quarantine on victims by these methods she saved many lives on the outbreak of the crimean war mary volunteered her services to the british army although she had worked for the army before at its own request this time she was turned down undaunted mary made her own way to the war zone once in the crimea she not only nursed the soldiers but also ran a hotel and sold food wine and medicines after the war mary was treated as a celebrity she was decorated by the governments of four countries in england a poem in her honour was published in punch and even the royal family requested her company and medical expertise

A Life of Adventure

Exercise 1 (5 mins)

Separate into1. sentences

2. paragraphs.

What is a paragraph?

- A group of sentences- What groups them?- One idea

mary seacole was born in 1805 in kingston jamaica her mother practised as a ‘doctress’ using medical knowledge which women had brought from africa and developed in the tropics from her mother mary inherited her medical skills as well as her ability to run a boarding house from her father a scottish military man she inherited her fascination with army life mary’s own medical reputation was established during a series of cholera and yellow fever epidemics she made her own medicines and emphasised high standards of hygeine as well as enforcing strict quarantine on victims by these methods she saved many lives on the outbreak of the crimean war mary volunteered her services to the british army although she had worked for the army before at its own request this time she was turned down undaunted mary made her own way to the war zone once in the crimea she not only nursed the soldiers but also ran a hotel and sold food wine and medicines after the war mary was treated as a celebrity she was decorated by the governments of four countries in england a poem in her honour was published in punch and even the royal family requested her company and medical expertise

A Life of Adventure

Exercise 1 (5 mins)

Write down the main theme for each paragraph

planning

writing

What do you want to say?

Structure

Communicating

your ideas

Outlines are your recipe

Level 3

1. Nursing and models

1.1 Brief history of Nursing practice

• Began formally 1790 (Nightingale)

• Largely disorganised

• Original mission to heal…

1.2 The purpose of a model

• Because of disorganisation, model.

• Argument for a model.

2. History of models

2.1 The first model

Johnson 1820

2.2 Development and timeline.

Model A

Model B

3. The Markov Model: Strengths & Weaknesses

3.1 What is the model

Multi-team.

3.2 Strengths

3.3 Weaknesses

4. An alternative: Vygotsky

4.1 What is Vygotsky Model

4.2 How overcomes weaknesses

5. Conclusions

Outlining – Level 3

Structure

Introduction– outline of essay

Main section– Main point A

• details, evidence

– Main point B

Conclusion– summary of main points– personal conclusions

StructureEssay Paragraph

paragraph structure

Students require more recreational time in order to better focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies have shown that students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes consistently score better on tests immediately following the recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly required to allow students the best possible chances of success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just one of the necessary ingredients for improving student scores on standardized tests.

topic sentence

Students require more recreational time in order to better focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies have shown that students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes consistently score better on tests immediately following the recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly required to allow students the best possible chances of success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just one of the necessary ingredients for improving student scores on standardized tests.

supporting sentences

Students require more recreational time in order to better focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies have shown that students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes consistently score better on tests immediately following the recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly required to allow students the best possible chances of success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just one of the necessary ingredients for improving student scores on standardized tests.

concluding sentence

Students require more recreational time in order to better focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies have shown that students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes consistently score better on tests immediately following the recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly required to allow students the best possible chances of success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just one of the necessary ingredients for improving student scores on standardized tests.

transitional sentence

Students require more recreational time in order to better focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies have shown that students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes consistently score better on tests immediately following the recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly required to allow students the best possible chances of success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just one of the necessary ingredients for improving student scores on standardized tests.

paragraph recipe

1. Introduce2. Expand/justify3. Conclude

4. Transition Sentences

Paragraph Malfunction

• Too long (no structure)• No clear idea or too many ideas• Poor flow (linking words)

Avoid these with outlines.

Linking words

• First• Furthermore• Another• In addition to• However• On the other hand• Consequently

Paragraph Building

On the blank piece of paper provided, write a topic sentence.

Pick any idea or subject you like.

If you’re stuck try some of the following: Cats are man’s best friendVirtual friends but lonelyCelebrity You’re such a tweet

1.

5 mins

Paragraph Building

Pass the sheet to the person beside you.

Read the topic sentence you’ve just received.

Now write a supporting sentence for it.

2.

2 mins

Paragraph Building

Pass the sheet to the person beside you.

Read the topic sentence & supporting sentence you’ve just received.

Now write another supporting sentence for it.

3.

2 mins

Paragraph Building

Pass the sheet to the person beside you.

Read the topic sentence & 2 supporting sentences you’ve just received.

Now write a concluding sentence for it.

4.

3 mins

Summary of Lecture 22

• In lecture 22, we learnt how to– Identify elements of effective paragraphs– Analyze types and structure of various paragraphs– Write unified, cohesive and coherent paragraph