Paragraphs: Fact Sheet - Level 1
Paragraphs: Fact Sheet - Level 1
Paragraphs: Fact Sheet - Level 1
Paragraphs
Setting your work out in paragraphs is a very important part of making your writing
clear to the reader. Paragraphs are like stepping stones - they lead the reader from
one end of your writing to the other. But when do you start a new paragraph? Well
some people like using TiPToP, so let's see how this works.
Ti - stands for Time, so start a new paragraph for a different time period.
P - stands for Place, so start a new paragraph for each new place.
To - stands for Topic, so start a new paragraph for each new topic, idea or
subject.
P - stands for Person, so start a new paragraph for each new speaker.
Topic sentence - the first sentence of a paragragh that tells the reader what the
paragraph is about.
The supporting sentences can be moved around so that the paragraph is in order or
makes more sense. To strengthen your writing, make sure that each of your
supporting sentences relates well to the topic sentence. It is not enough to be
generally in the same topic area.
Fact sheet - Level 1
Linking Paragraphs
Linking paragraphs
Firstly---------------secondly---------------thirdly
You cannot use numbers unless you have two or three points to make.
In spite of this..., although this is true..., on the contrary..., on the other hand...,
another way.., not only .., but also.., to sum up.., you might think that..
Paragraph lengths:
There is no standard length for a paragraph. A paragraph should not be so long that
you lose track of the thought being expressed. If in doubt, divide a long paragraph into
two shorter ones. It is confusing if a piece of writing consists mainly of very short
paragraphs. The exception to this is speech. In a story that contains dialogue, it is
normal to use a new paragraph each time a new person speaks.
Fact sheet - Level 3
Paragraphs
A paragraph is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. Learning to
write good paragraphs will help you as a writer stay on track during your drafting and
revision stages. Good paragraphing also greatly assists your readers in following a
piece of writing. You can have fantastic ideas, but if those ideas aren't presented in an
organized fashion, you will lose your readers (and fail to achieve your goals in writing).
Elements of a Paragraph
To be as effective as possible, a paragraph should contain each of the following:
Unity, Coherence, A Topic Sentence, and Adequate Development. As you will
see, all of these traits overlap. Using and adapting them to your individual purposes
will help you construct effective paragraphs.
Unity
The entire paragraph should concern itself with a single focus. If it begins with a one
focus or major point of discussion, it should not end with another or wander within
different ideas.
Coherence
Coherence is the trait that makes the paragraph easily understandable to a reader. You
can help create coherence in your paragraphs by creating logical bridges and verbal
bridges.
Logical bridges
• The same idea of a topic is carried over from sentence to sentence
• Successive sentences can be constructed in parallel form
Verbal bridges
• Key words can be repeated in several sentences
• Synonymous words can be repeated in several sentences
• Pronouns can refer to nouns in previous sentences
• Transition words can be used to link ideas from different sentences
A topic sentence
A topic sentence is a sentence that indicates in a general way what idea or thesis the
paragraph is going to deal with. Although not all paragraphs have clear-cut topic
sentences, and despite the fact that topic sentences can occur anywhere in the
paragraph (as the first sentence, the last sentence, or somewhere in the middle), an
easy way to make sure your reader understands the topic of the paragraph is to put
your topic sentence near the beginning of the paragraph. (This is a good general rule
for less experienced writers, although it is not the only way to do it). Regardless of
whether you include an explicit topic sentence or not, you should be able to easily
summarize what the paragraph is about.
Adequate development
The topic (which is introduced by the topic sentence) should be discussed fully and
adequately. Again, this varies from paragraph to paragraph, depending on the author's
purpose, but writers should beware of paragraphs that only have two or three
sentences. It's a pretty good bet that the paragraph is not fully developed if it is that
short.
• When you begin a new idea or point. New ideas should always start in new
paragraphs. If you have an extended idea that spans multiple paragraphs, each
new point within that idea should have its own paragraph.
• To contrast information or ideas. Separate paragraphs can serve to
contrast sides in a debate, different points in an argument, or any other
difference.
• When your readers need a pause. Breaks in paragraphs function as a short
"break" for your readers - adding these in will help your writing more readable.
You would create a break if the paragraph becomes too long or the material is
complex.
• When you are ending your introduction or starting your conclusion.
Your introductory and concluding material should always be in a new
paragraph. Many introductions and conclusions have multiple paragraphs
depending on their content, length, and the writer's purpose.
Transitions are usually one or several sentences that "transition" from one idea to the
next. Transitions can be used at the end of most paragraphs to help the paragraphs
flow one into the next.
Fact sheet - Level 1
Closing Paragraphs
Ending sentence to close/finish/end the paragraph.
Reminder:
Make sure the facts you are writing are related to the exact question you are going to
answer in your paragraph.
Paragraphs
Learning how to break your stories and essays into paragraphs is a confusing but important job.
How to do it
There are a few standard times to make a new paragraph:
When you start in on a new topic
When you skip to a new time
When you skip to a new place
When a new person begins to speak
When you want to produce a dramatic effect
New Topic
This one's mainly for essays. Every time you go on to a new topic, you should make a new
paragraph.
New Time
This one--and the rest--are mainly for use in short stories. Whenever you skip some time, that
will probably be the right place to make a new paragraph. If you find yourself using phrases or
sentences like these, you are skipping some time:
Later that day,
The next morning,
Five hours passed.
They waited and waited.
Life in Yate remained unchanged.
The seconds seemed like hours.
New Place
Scenes in stories generally happen in one place. When the characters go to a new place, a new
scene happens. At the very least, a new paragraph happens. Any time you have a "Meanwhile,
back at..." phrase in your story, make a new paragraph.
New Speaker
If you're doing a good job, your short stories are going to have dialogue, or characters talking to
each other. Dialogue helps bring stories to life. Every time you switch speakers, you make a new
paragraph. Sometimes this means that your paragraphs are really short, because all a character
might say is, "No." If that's all he says, though, that is as long as the paragraph needs to be.
Another thing to remember is that, if you put the "he said" phrase before the quote, or you
character does some action before he speaks, you should make that part of the same paragraph
as the quote.
Here are some examples, excerpted from the novel Kate Macready and the Pirates. They are
colour coded when possible to show which type of paragraph break is being used: yellow for
new topic, brown for new time, purple for new place, light blue for new speaker, dark blue for
an action that takes the place of some dialogue, and green for dramatic effect.
Paragraphs
Learning how to break your stories and essays into paragraphs is a confusing but important job.
How to do it
There are a few standard times to make a new paragraph:
When you start in on a new topic
When you skip to a new time
When you skip to a new place
When a new person begins to speak
When you want to produce a dramatic effect
New Topic
This one's mainly for essays. Every time you go on to a new topic, you should make a new
paragraph.
New Time
This one--and the rest--are mainly for use in short stories. Whenever you skip some time, that
will probably be the right place to make a new paragraph. If you find yourself using phrases or
sentences like these, you are skipping some time:
Later that day,
The next morning,
Five hours passed.
They waited and waited.
Life in Yate remained unchanged.
The seconds seemed like hours.
New Place
Scenes in stories generally happen in one place. When the characters go to a new place, a new
scene happens. At the very least, a new paragraph happens. Any time you have a "Meanwhile,
back at..." phrase in your story, make a new paragraph.
New Speaker
If you're doing a good job, your short stories are going to have dialogue, or characters talking to
each other. Dialogue helps bring stories to life. Every time you switch speakers, you make a new
paragraph. Sometimes this means that your paragraphs are really short, because all a character
might say is, "No." If that's all he says, though, that is as long as the paragraph needs to be.
Another thing to remember is that, if you put the "he said" phrase before the quote, or you
character does some action before he speaks, you should make that part of the same paragraph
as the quote.
Here are some examples, excerpted from the novel Kate Macready and the Pirates. They are
colour coded when possible to show which type of paragraph break is being used: yellow for
new topic, brown for new time, purple for new place, light blue for new speaker, dark blue for
an action that takes the place of some dialogue, and green for dramatic effect.
Use the following structure to help you write a balanced essay on the subjects of either capital
or corporal punishment. (Remember which is which! You don’t want to hang people for not
doing their homework!)
“It is about time we brought back capital/corporal punishment”. Do you agree with
this view?
The following paragraph links and signposts may help you to structure your writing:
You must:
• write in a formal style
• write in paragraphs
• open your essay in an interesting way
• punctuate sentences clearly
• explain your points very clearly
• use paragraph links and signposts
You should:
• include complex sentences
• use the passive voice
• write in the present tense
You could:
• begin with a fact or statistic
• use specific examples to back up your views
“It is about time we brought back capital/corporal punishment”.
Do you agree with this view?
However ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
………………………….……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………….…………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Topic sentence = a sentence that explains what you are going to write about.
Supporting sentences = more information about your topic. One way to do this
is to imagine your topic sentence as a question and then ask yourself: How can
I prove this is true? What examples can I give?
If you want to, you can add a concluding comment after the concluding
sentence.
Winter
Winter is my favorite season because I like the clothes, the food and the
activities. In the winter, I can wear a big coat and my favorite sweater. When it's
cold, I can eat hot foods and soup. I can drink hot chocolate too. Best of all, in the
winter I can do a lot of activities. I can play in the snow and make a snowman. I can
go skiing, ice skating, or stay at home by the fireplace. That's why winter is my
favorite season.
My Wonderful Sister
My sister Doris is very friendly, patient, and smart. She can make friends with
anyone, because she is very funny. Doris is friendly to everyone, so she has a lot of
friends. She is also very patient. She can help children, even when they are crying. If
she has to wait at the grocery store, she doesn't get angry. She just starts to talk with
the other customers. Another great thing about Doris is that she is smart. She studies
a lot and gets good grades in school. She is also very good at solving problems. This
American Food
American food is fast, cheap, and tasty. Some countries have food that takes a
long time to make, but Americans like to eat food that is really fast, for example: hot
dogs, hamburgers, and sandwiches. American food is not too expensive, if you work
in the U.S. It is more expensive than in some countries and less expensive than in
other countries, but I think it is pretty cheap. Some people don't like American food,
but I think it tastes good. You can put ranch dressing on everything to make it taste
delicious. If you are looking for food that is fast, cheap, and tasty, you should try
American food.
Tests
I don't like tests. Every time I take a test, I feel nervous. When I study for a
test, I don't know if I will be able to get a good grade. I worry a lot about the test, so
I can't sleep. After the test is over, I worry about my grade. When my teacher gives
me my grade, I can't relax because I know I will have another test soon. Tests give
Cats
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
You don't have to take a cat for a walk every day like a dog. Cats also know how to
clean themselves, so you don't have to wash them. If you want to go on vacation, you
can leave some food for your cat and it will be okay. A cat can sleep on your bed and
keep you warm at night. That is why cats are good pets.
Halloween
have parties and decorate their homes. The stores sell a lot of candy and things that
are black and orange. People eat donuts and drink apple cider. They also carve
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