Body ParagraphsI can create strong and focused body paragraphs.I can create strong and focused body paragraphs.
Unity and Coherence
• Characteristics of effective paragraphs:Characteristics of effective paragraphs:
• 1. Direction – strong topic sentence1. Direction – strong topic sentence
• 2. Support – evidence from text2. Support – evidence from text
• 3. Unity – Focused 3. Unity – Focused
• 4. Coherence – logically connected4. Coherence – logically connected
Topic Sentence
• The The purpose of your paragraph should be summarized in purpose of your paragraph should be summarized in one sentence one sentence that begins your paragraph.that begins your paragraph.
• Your topic sentences in each paragraph Your topic sentences in each paragraph should outline your should outline your paper paper and directly and directly explain the why explain the why of your paper. of your paper.
• Your topic sentences should Your topic sentences should notnot chronologically move chronologically move through the plotthrough the plot
Focused Body Paragraph
• Everything in your paragraph must be connected. Everything in your paragraph must be connected.
• If the purpose of your paragraph is to talk about how the If the purpose of your paragraph is to talk about how the Columbia Orator taught Douglass that slavery was not Columbia Orator taught Douglass that slavery was not logical,logical,• You should not have sentences about his mistress.You should not have sentences about his mistress.• You should sentences referencing the stories he read.You should sentences referencing the stories he read.• Each piece of evidence needs a follow up that thoroughly explains Each piece of evidence needs a follow up that thoroughly explains
how the evidence supports the original claim found in the topic how the evidence supports the original claim found in the topic sentence. sentence.
Exercise #1
• Circle the letter of the point that interferes with the unity of Circle the letter of the point that interferes with the unity of the paragraph. the paragraph.
• This means, identify the sentences that doesn’t belong in This means, identify the sentences that doesn’t belong in the paragraph.the paragraph.
• ““One of these things are not like the other”One of these things are not like the other”
• 1. Topic sentence: Some restaurant customers make trivial 1. Topic sentence: Some restaurant customers make trivial complains in the hope of getting a free meal. complains in the hope of getting a free meal.
• A. some customers gripe when service is a bit slow.A. some customers gripe when service is a bit slow.
• B. Many complain if they have to make a trip to the B. Many complain if they have to make a trip to the emergency room because of food poisoning.emergency room because of food poisoning.
• C. Other customers grumble if the coffee is not piping hot C. Other customers grumble if the coffee is not piping hot or the iced tea is not cold. or the iced tea is not cold.
• 1. Since all the sentences are already about complaints, 1. Since all the sentences are already about complaints, you need to identify what type of complaints can be you need to identify what type of complaints can be characterized as “trivial.” characterized as “trivial.”
• A. slow serviceA. slow service
• B. food poisonB. food poison
• C. too hot, too coldC. too hot, too cold
• Remember, you are looking for something that is NOT Remember, you are looking for something that is NOT trivial. trivial.
Reinforcing Unity: The summary sentence
• This is what I’ve been calling the Follow Up. This is what I’ve been calling the Follow Up.
• ““summary sentence that echoes the topic sentence.” summary sentence that echoes the topic sentence.”
• Explains why the evidence illustrates the claim made in the Explains why the evidence illustrates the claim made in the topic sentence.topic sentence.
• ““does not repeat topic sentence” does not repeat topic sentence”
Analyzing Paragraph Unity
• Underline Topic SentenceUnderline Topic Sentence
• Double underline specific point that is made about that Double underline specific point that is made about that topic. topic.
• Find two sentence that interfere with the unity of the Find two sentence that interfere with the unity of the paragraph (off topic sentences) paragraph (off topic sentences)
• Underline the summary sentences. Underline the summary sentences.
Coherence: Holding the Paragraph Together
• Use transitional expressions to help connect the sentences Use transitional expressions to help connect the sentences together and show a relationship between the ideas. together and show a relationship between the ideas.
• ““help you juggle multiples tasks without detracting from help you juggle multiples tasks without detracting from the ideas you express.” the ideas you express.”
• ““Show the path of your logic and the movement of your Show the path of your logic and the movement of your ideas through time and space.” ideas through time and space.”
Using Transitional Expressions
• Using the list from Using the list from Some Common Transitional Words and Some Common Transitional Words and ExpressionsExpressions, fill out 1-12 and 1-10 on the , fill out 1-12 and 1-10 on the Using Transitional Using Transitional ExpressionsExpressions handout. handout.
Repetition
• ““Repetition of key words and ideas helps to bring your point Repetition of key words and ideas helps to bring your point home strongly.” home strongly.”
• Remember, it is better to over explain your ideas instead of Remember, it is better to over explain your ideas instead of making yourself unclear. making yourself unclear.
• For the handout, underline key words in the paragraph. For the handout, underline key words in the paragraph.
Paragraph Examples
• Other than length, how are the two paragraphs different? Other than length, how are the two paragraphs different?
• Make a list on the back of the packet. Make a list on the back of the packet.
