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Essentials of Paragraph Writing

The document provides information on the basics of paragraph writing, including the typical structure of paragraphs. It notes that a paragraph should have one central idea expressed through a group of related sentences. It also outlines the key components of a paragraph, including a topic sentence, supporting sentences, a concluding sentence, and transition expressions. The document provides two sample paragraphs that demonstrate these concepts.

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Andina Amelia Putri
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37 views1 page

Essentials of Paragraph Writing

The document provides information on the basics of paragraph writing, including the typical structure of paragraphs. It notes that a paragraph should have one central idea expressed through a group of related sentences. It also outlines the key components of a paragraph, including a topic sentence, supporting sentences, a concluding sentence, and transition expressions. The document provides two sample paragraphs that demonstrate these concepts.

Uploaded by

Andina Amelia Putri
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Basics of Paragraph Writing (ALC1)

paragraph
 A paragraph is a group of related sentences whose purpose is to express one basic, central idea (main idea). All the
sentences in a paragraph should work together to build up the main idea.
 A paragraph starts with an indentation. The first word of the first line begins a little to the right of the beginning of the
second line.

structure of a paragraph
 topic sentence at the beginning
 A topic sentence introduces the topic of the paragraph (What is this paragraph about?) and its main idea.
 supporting sentences in the middle
 Supporting sentences support the main idea of the paragraph by giving details.
 concluding sentence at the end
 A concluding sentence restates the main idea of the paragraph (i.e., the summary of what was told in the
paragraph).
 transition expressions (logical connectors)
 How sentences are related to each other is usually indicated by transition expressions (logical connectors): for
example (to give examples), as a result (to give results), first … second … third (to show order), on the one hand
… on the other (to show contrast).

Sample Paragraph 1
Studying in university is quite different from studying in high school. First of all, most university classes meet
only once a week, and the content is far more difficult than high school classes. Although there may be homework and
quizzes every week, almost everything depends on how well you have done in the mid-term and final tests. Furthermore,
most professors place less emphasis on the memorization of facts than on how you analyze and interpret those facts. Just
doing the homework professors assign and remembering what they say in class are no longer enough. So you need to make
every effort on your own to build your knowledge and develop your skills. You must now take a major part of the
responsibility for your own learning. In sum, there are many differences between university and high school classes but the
biggest difference is the issue of initiative.

Sample Paragraph 2
Life is becoming harder and harder for cigarette smokers everywhere. For one thing, the cost of smoking is going
up. The government of every country finds that raising the cigarette tax is a relatively easy way to get more money. Because
of the greater health risk for smokers, they frequently must pay more for health and life insurance. But the problems
smokers face are not limited to money. Finding a place to smoke can be an even greater difficulty. For example, many
restaurants do not permit smoking. In addition, smoking on buses is out, and now all smoking on commercial airline flights
is prohibited. Smokers cannot light up at their desks anymore, either—in many cases they must leave the building and
smoke outside. Therefore, smokers need great determination to continue their habit these days.

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