Entry #5 Paragraph organization

Source:

Learn English with Alex (May 19th, 2009). Parts of a Paragraph - English Academic Writing Introduction. Available at: https://youtu.be/cCuExRE6N-4

Characteristics of a well-written paragraph

• It starts with a topic sentence
• the topic sentence has to be an interesting one and we have to give our opinion
• the body is the " heart" of the paragraph: supporting details and the supporting arguments for the topic sentence
• There are two ways of order the details: order of importance, or chronology
• the closing sentence has two functions: to remind the audience what they are reading about by restating the topic sentence and to keep them thinking by giving some extra information 

 Some practice

Topic sentences:

1. Many politicians deplore the passing of the old family-sized farm, but I´m not so sure.  I saw around Velva a release from what was like slavery to the tyrannical soil, release from the ignorance that darkens the soul and from the loneliness that corrodes it. In this generation, my Velva friends have rejoined the general American society that their pioneering fathers left behind when they first made the barren trek in the days of the wheat rush. As I sit here in Washington writing this, I can feel their nearness. (from Eric Sevareid, "Velva, North Dakota").

2. There are two broad theories concerning what triggers a human´s inevitable decline to death. The first is the wear-and-tear hypothesis that suggests the body eventually succumbs to the environmental insults of life. The second is the notion that we have an internal clock that is genetically programmed to run down. Supporters of the wear-and-tear theory maintain that the very practice of breathing causes us to age because inhaled oxygen produces toxic by-products. Advocates of the internal clock theory believe that individual cells are told to stop dividing and thus eventually to die by, for example, hormones produced by the brain or by their own genes. (from Debra Blank, "The Eternal Quest" [edited]).

3. We commonly look on the discipline of war as vastly more rigid than any discipline necessary in the time of peace, but this is an error. The strictest military discipline imaginable is still looser than that prevailing in the average assembly-line. The soldier, at worst, is still able to exercise the highest conceivable functions of freedom -- that is, he or she is permitted to steal and to kill. No discipline prevailing in peace gives him or her anything remotely resembling this. The soldier is, in war, in the position of a free adult; in peace, he or she is almost always in the position of a child. In war, all things are excused by success, even violations of discipline. In peace, speaking generally, success is inconceivable except as a function of discipline. (from H.L. Mencken, "Reflections on War" [edited]).

4. Although the interpretation of traffic signals may seem highly standardized, close observation reveals regional variations across this country distinguishing the East coast from central Canada as the West as surely as dominant dialects or political inclinations. It is not enough simply to list all of the arguments in the paragraph ("People in Montreal drive faster..."), or to pick only one point to highlight ("People in Calgary are careful of pedestrians"). Instead, the topic sentence should highlight the interpretative nature of driving habits and their regional variations. Since the paragraph stresses the differences among drivers in different parts of the country, it would be entirely wrong simply to state in the topic sentence that "Canadians do not follow traffic signals properly."

Source: University of Ottawa writing center. Retrieved from: https://arts.uottawa.ca/writingcentre/en/hypergrammar/writing-paragraphs/review-topic-sentences. Last visited: June 2020. 

Topic sentence: what is it?

The topic sentence is a sentence that is used at the beginning of a paragraph to tell the reader what it is that you are going to be talking about in that paragraph.
The topic sentence is important because it leads the reader into the points that you are trying to make, without leaving them confused. It also helps to prevent any miscommunication on your part.

Qualities to write good topic sentences:

• Brevity: Long, rambling sentences can be confusing. Don’t pack your topic sentence too full of details. That’s what the rest of the paragraph is for.
• Clarity: Likewise, don’t beat around the bush. Say exactly what you want to say. Try not to engage in wordplay and don’t speak in vague terms.
• Precision: Don’t be too broad when introducing the topic that you’re going to discuss. Not only is that a bland approach, but it is also unhelpful to readers.

What to avoid when writing a topic sentence:

• Don’t use facts as topic sentences. Remember, you are using the topic sentence to introduce a point you are trying to make or your opinion.
• Don’t just talk about the “what” – talk about the “why” as well. That is, don’t just think about the effect, but it causes.
• Don’t say “I am going to tell you…” or I am going to speak about…” when introducing a topic.

Example of a good and bad topic sentence

❌ I am going to discuss the Battle of Gettysburg.

Why is it a bad topic sentences? because while you are telling the reader what the topic is, you are still speaking in very broad terms with this kind of statement.

✔️ The Battle of Gettysburg, fought in 1863, was the turning point in the Civil War.

Why is it a correct topic sentence? because you are making a strong point with this kind of statement and narrowing down what you are going to talk about. In this case, you are discussing why the Battle of Gettysburg was such an important battle.

Sources: 
https://blog.udemy.com/examples-of-topic-sentences/
https://arts.uottawa.ca/writingcentre/en/hypergrammar/writing-paragraphs/review-topic-sentences

PARAGRAPH: HOW TO BUILD A CORRECT ONE?

• Logical order:

A well-constructed paragraph contains sentences that are logically arranged and flow smoothly. Logical arrangement refers to the order of your sentences and ideas. There are various ways to order your sentences, depending on your purpose. For example, if you want to describe the historical background to an event or something that happened to you, you would order your sentences according to the sequence of action, from beginning to end. However, if you want to describe important points to your argument you may want to start with the most important point first and arrange the following point according to the level of importance.

Useful Tip: As you write you may remember something that you wanted to say earlier and include it in your paragraph. This is simple if you are using a word processor. However, you have to make sure that the new sentence does not end up out of place.

• Linking:

Not only should sentences and ideas in a paragraph be logically arranged, but they should also flow smoothly. Expressions such as next, then, after, when and other signal time sequence; expressions such as an example of, the most significant example, to illustrate are used to identify the example in the sentence. Such expressions provide a link between the ideas presented. Although you do not need to include a linking word or phrase in every sentence, you should use enough of them to help your reader follow your ideas clearly.

• Repetition of keywords:

Each sentence in a paragraph should relate to the topic and develop the main idea. If a sentence does not relate to or develop that idea. If your paragraph repeats and elaborates key words there is less chance of writing irrelevant material. Consider the topic sentence: Smoking cigarettes can be an expensive habit. The following sentences in the paragraph need to discuss why smoking is expensive, both from a financial as well as a health point of view. Repeating the keywords "smoking" and "expensive" or finding synonyms for these words allows you to keep your writing focussed on the main idea of a paragraph.

• Relevance:

If a sentence does not relate to or develop the main idea, it is irrelevant and should be omitted. Cutting out the irrelevant material is part of the task of revising. Consider the topic sentence: Smoking cigarettes can be an expensive habit. If a sentence in the paragraph discusses how to blow smoke rings, it is out of place; it does not discuss the expense of smoking. A paragraph that has sentences that do not relate to or discuss the main idea lack unity.

INCORPORATING SOURCES WITHIN PARAGRAPHS

The point of view a writer develops in an essay and within each paragraph cannot just be based on personal opinion but must be backed up with evidence, examples, and the opinion of experts. At the whole essay level, the point of view is called the thesis statement. Within a paragraph, the point of view is often broadly expressed in the topic sentence. The topic sentence is often re-stated within the paragraph with more specific detail given and evidence provided in support of the point of view, usually from the reading done for the essay. The sources referred to back up the writer. Any additional comments by the writer should aim to make the writer's point of view clear.

The words or ideas taken from other sources need to be clearly signaled as belonging to another person. This is done by referring to the author as well as the source of the words or ideas. The method of signaling used in these examples is the Harvard style of reference to sources. The setting out of the references is the American Psychological Association (or APA) style of referencing. Every department has its own preferred way, or style sheet, which they expect students to follow.
Useful Tip:
An exercise book can be used for noting quotations from one's reading on one side of the page and comments on the opposite page. It is a good way to keep notes on an essay topic together and to develop the skill of commenting on the viewpoints of others.

Types of paragraphs

There are three main types of paragraphs in an academic essay: introductory paragraphs, body paragraphs and concluding paragraphs. These types of paragraphs are located in the introduction, the body of the essay, or in the conclusion, respectively. Each of these types of paragraphs fulfills a different function for the reader (the teaching staff marking the essay). The introductory paragraph(s) provides the reader with any necessary background information before leading into a clear statement of the writer's point of view. The point of view, or thesis statement, is a brief but very specific statement of the position the writer will take in the essay. The introductory paragraph may also present an overall plan of the way the essay's argument will be developed, as well as any limits the writer will place on the topic. The body paragraphs which follow all flow logically from the introductory paragraph. They expand on the thesis statement and each, in turn, is clearly focused on a single issue with plenty of supporting detail or evidence from concrete and relevant examples, or from the reading which the writer uses to support the point of view. Arguments by other writers against the point of view taken by the essay writer should also be presented (and argued against) in the body paragraphs. The body paragraphs carefully build up the writer's point of view in detail. The concluding paragraph(s) summarises the points made, repeats the overall point of view, and explains why the writer took the position held. It may also indicate wider issues not covered in the essay but of interest and relevant to the point of view. USEFUL TIP: The concluding and introductory paragraphs are usually best written last when the writer is clear about the point of view and the structure of the entire essay.

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Source: University of Wellington, New Zeland.Retrieved from: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/llc/llc_resources/academic-writing/index.html

Metacognitive Analyses

Before writing any kind of essay we have to know the basic things among this such as how to organize the paragraphs, what kind of information they may have and which things we should avoid.
Furthermore, to improve this writing as best as possible, we have to take into account the qualities of a good topic sentence, that is to say, the brevity, clarity, and precision. 
Another important thing is when we have to incorporate sources. The method of signaling used in these examples is the Harvard style of reference to sources. The setting out of the references is the American Psychological Association (or APA) style of referencing. Every department has its own preferred way, or style sheet, which they expect students to follow.

In this entry, we could practice the difference between the topic sentence and the rest of the paragraph which supports it.