characteristics of good writing. elements of an effective paragraph –topic sentences –evidence...

Characteristics ofGood Writing

Characteristics of Good Writing

• Elements of an effective paragraph– Topic Sentences– Evidence– Transition words

• Verbs– Maintaining verb tense– Passive vs. active voice

Effective Paragraphs:Topic Sentences

• A topic sentence indicates what idea the paragraph is going to address.

• The reader should be able to clearly identify the paragraph’s topic by reading the topic sentence.

• It should occur at the beginning of the paragraph.

Effective Paragraphs:Evidence

The entire paragraph should focus on the subject set out in the topic sentence.

• The topic must be thoroughly addressed, with adequate details.

• Supporting details should occur in logical order and “flow”.

• Three sentences do NOT make a paragraph!

Effective Paragraphs:Transitions

• Transitions are words/phrases that connect ideas.

• Transitions help the reader see connections and progress from one idea to the next.

• Different transitions do different things: add ideas, show cause and effect, clarify sequence, etc…

• Examples: in addition to, particularly, similarly, in other words, etc…

Effective Paragraphs:Example

• Paragraph A:Music piracy receives too much attention. The majority of money made from artists is from merchandising and endorsements. A large portion of paid downloads and CD sales go to the record company. Losing a few dollars to unauthorized downloads is unlikely to hurt the artist.

• Paragraph B:Downloading MP3s for free does not hurt recording artists. First, artists make most of their money elsewhere. Surprisingly, they don’t get most of the income from music sales. It is clear that unauthorized downloads aren’t all that harmful.

Effective Paragraphs:Example

• Paragraph B has the more effective topic sentence.

• Paragraph A provides the most effective evidence to support the argument.

• Paragraph B uses transitions most effectively to connect ideas.

Verbs:Maintaining Verb Tense

• Verb tense indicates to the reader when something is taking place (present, past, future).

• For the most part, verb tense should be consistent throughout sentences, paragraphs, and essays.

• Only change verb tense when called for by the situation:– I am glad that I remembered my homework since I

forgot it yesterday.

– After everyone has finished, we will offer dessert.


• Unnecessary or inconsistent changes in verb tense can cause confusion.

• Do not change tenses when there is no time change indicated:– Incorrect – During the movie, Sam stood up

and then drops his popcorn.– Correct – During the movie, Sam stood up and

then dropped his popcorn.


• Practice directions:

– Check the following sentences for confusing shifts in tense.

– First, underline the verbs.

– Then, write S for satisfactory, or U for unsatisfactory.

– Correct any sentences marked U.


1. S - If the price of soda rises, it will increase income for beverage companies.

2. U - As Barbara puts in her contacts, the telephone rang. Change to put/rang OR puts/rings.

3. S - I was disappointed by my grade because I studied hard.

4. U - The storm raged outside, and inside we hear booming thunder. Change to rages/hear OR raged/heard.

Verbs:Passive vs. Active Voice

• Voice is a characteristic of verbs which indicates the relation of the verb’s action to its subject.

• The voice of a verb may be either active or passive.

What What is is

voice?voice?


• Active voice verbs are used when the subject is acting in a sentence.

• Example:– Cindy steered the boat.

• “Steered” is in the active voice because the subject, “Cindy”, is doing the action.

What What is is

active active voice?voice?


• Passive voice verbs are used when the subject is being acted upon in a sentence.

• Example: – The mountain’s peak was reached

by Ed Danvers.

• “Was reached” is considered passive because it indicates that the subject (peak) is receiving an action.

What is What is passive passive voice?voice?


• Although both constructions are grammatically correct, the active voice is usually more effective in academic and business writing because it is simpler and more direct. The passive construction is effective only when the doer of the action is unknown or irrelevant. Examples– The cruiseliner was hijacked.– The ball was hit.– The town was quarantined.


• Active voice verbs: Verbs that indicate the sentence’s subject as actively acting:– Marvin hit the ball.

• Passive voice verbs: Verbs that indicated the sentence’s subject as being acted upon:– The ball was hit by Marvin

ReviewReview


Example: -Before I began my research, only German fascism was studied by me.

Voice: passiveCorrection:

Before I began my research, I only studied German fascism.

PracticeDirections:Label each sentence as passive voice or active voice. Change the sentences that use passive voice to active voice.

1. The documentary was not located by Dr. Edwards.

Voice: passive

Correction: Dr. Edwards did not locate the documentary.

2. For the opening flag ceremony, a dance was choreographed by Kema Jones.

Voice: passive

Correction: For the opening flag ceremony, Kema Jones choreographed a dance.

3. When the tickets are ready, the travel agent notifies the client.

Voice: active

Correction: n/a

4. Seismologists have examined data concerning the recent earthquake, and reports will be filed.

Voice: active/passive shift

Correction: Seismologists have examined data concerning the recent earthquake, and they

will file reports.

5. The senator discussed problems of famine, pollution, dwindling resources, and arms control.

Voice: active

Correction: n/a

6. Whenever an error was found by Mrs. Clark, the entire paper had to be rewritten by the student.

Voice: passive

Correction: Whenever Mrs. Clark found an error, the student had to rewrite the entire paper.

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