1. English Writing – Session 3 The Macau New Chinese Youth Association

2. Paragraph Writing Intro to writing paragraphs 3:13 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivAvsXeJAqM&feature=PlayList&p=D6F1EDC48C7F698D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=77 How to write a paragraph 1:08 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J3URlU5ClSM In general, the purpose of a paragraph is to express one point, idea or opinion. For example: Students require more recreational time in order to better focus on lessons in class. This main idea is expressed through three sections of a paragraph: 1.Beginning - Introduce your idea. 2.Middle - Explain your idea. 3.End - Make your point again, transition to next paragraph.

3. Here is a paragraph taken from an essay on various strategies required for an overall improvement of student performance: Students require more recreational time in order to better focus on lessons in class. In fact, studies have shown that students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes consistently score better on tests immediately following the recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on academic materials. Longer periods of recess are clearly required to allow students the best possible chances of success in their studies. Clearly, physical exercise is just one of the necessary ingredients for improving student scores on standardized tests.

4. There are four sentence types used to construct a paragraph: 1. Topic sentence One sentence which states your idea, point, or opinion. This sentence should use a strong verb and make a bold statement. For example: Students require more recreational time in order to better focus on lessons in class. NOTE: Notice the strong verb 'require' which is a call to action. A weaker form of this sentence might be: I think students probably need more recreational time... This weaker form is inappropriate for a topic sentence.

5. 2. Supporting sentences Supporting sentences (notice the plural) provide explanations and support for the topic sentence (main idea) of your paragraph. For example: In fact, studies have shown that students who enjoy a recess of more than 45 minutes consistently score better on tests immediately following the recess period. Clinical analysis further suggests that physical exercise greatly improves the ability to focus on academic materials. NOTE: Supporting sentences provide the evidence for your topic sentence. Supporting sentences that include facts, statistics and logical reasoning are much more convincing that simple statements of opinion. There are four sentence types used to construct a paragraph

6. 3. Concluding sentence The concluding sentence restates the main idea (found in your topic sentence) and reinforces the point or opinion. For example: Longer periods of recess are clearly required to allow students the best possible chances of success in their studies. NOTE: Concluding sentences repeat the main idea of your paragraph in different words. 4. Transitional sentence The transitional sentence prepares the reader for the following paragraph. For example: Clearly, physical exercise is just one of the necessary ingredients for improving student scores on standardized tests. NOTE: Transitional sentences should help readers logically understand the connection between your current main idea, point or opinion and the main idea of your next paragraph. In this instance, the phrase 'just one of the necessary ingredients...' prepares the reader for the next paragraph which will discuss another necessary ingredient for success. There are four sentence types used to construct a paragraph

7. Writing Narrative Paragraphs - Things Happening Over Time Narrative paragraphs are often used to describe what a person does over a period of time. Read this example narrative paragraph, notice how words like 'later' are used to connect what happens. Yesterday evening I got home from work at 6 o'clock. My wife had prepared dinner which we ate immediately. After I had cleaned up the kitchen, we watched TV for about an hour. Then we got ready to go out with some friends. Our friends arrived at about 9 o'clock and we chatted for a while. Later we decided to visit a jazz club and listen to some music. We really enjoyed ourselves and stayed late. We finally left at one o'clock in the morning. Fill in the gaps in this paragraph with information about what you did yesterday evening. Yesterday evening ______________ at ________ o'clock. I immediately ______________. After ______________, I (or we) ________________. Then I (or we) __________________________. I (or we) _________________a while. Later I (or we) _______________________________. I (or we) finally _______________. Exercise

8. Practice Try to write a number of similar paragraphs about what you did last weekend, on your last holiday, etc.

9. Five Paragraph Essay From paragraph to essay 10:01 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXZVlUs1uuk Basic five paragraph essay format 3:13 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OR9VVphtdjE&feature=channel_page Outline of five paragraph essay 8:10 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_zDzXjAGHU&NR=1 Five-paragraph essay format: 1.An introduction 2.Three main body paragraphs 3.A conclusion

10. Introduction The introduction should start with a general discussion of your subject and lead to a very specific statement of your main point, or thesis. Sometimes an essay begins with a "grabber," such as a challenging claim, or surprising story to catch a reader's attention. The thesis should tell in one (or at most two) sentence(s), what your overall point or argument is, and briefly, what your main body paragraphs will be about. For example, in an essay about the importance of airbags in cars, the introduction might start with some information about car accidents and survival rates. It might also have a grabber about someone who survived a terrible accident because of an airbag. The thesis would briefly state the main reasons for recommending airbags, and each reason would be discussed in the main body of the essay.

11. Main Body Paragraphs (3) Each main body paragraph will focus on a single idea, reason, or example that supports your thesis. Each paragraph will have a clear topic sentence (a mini thesis that states the main idea of the paragraph) and as much discussion or explanation as is necessary to explain the point. You should try to use details and specific examples to make your ideas clear and convincing. Conclusion Your conclusion begins with a restatement of your main point; but be sure to paraphrase, not just repeat your thesis sentence. Then you want to add some sentences that emphasize the importance of the topic and the significance of your view. Think about what idea or feeling you want to leave your reader with. The conclusion is the reverse of the introduction in that it starts out very specific and becomes a bit more general as you finish.

12. Transitions Transitions connect your paragraphs to one another, especially the main body ones. It's not effective to simply jump from one idea to the next; you need to use the end of one paragraph and/or the beginning of the next to show the relationship between the two ideas. Between each paragraph and the one that follows, you need a transition. It can be built in to the topic sentence of the next paragraph, or it can be the concluding sentence of the first. It can even be a little of both. To express the relationship between the two paragraphs, think about words and phrases that compare and contrast. 1.Does the first paragraph tell us a pro and the second a con? ("on the other hand...") 2. Does the second paragraph tell us something of greater significance? ("more importantly...") 3. An earlier historical example? ("even before [topic of paragraph 1], [topic of paragraph 2]") 4. A different kind of consideration? (money versus time).

13. Transitions Think about your paragraph topics and brainstorm until you find the most relevant links between them. You'll also want some kind of transition from the last paragraph to your conclusion. One way is to sum up your third body paragraph with some reminders of your other paragraphs. You don't need to restate the topics fully (that comes in the conclusion) but you can refer to a detail, or example, or character as a way of pulling your ideas together and signaling that you are getting ready to conclude.

14. Sample Narrative Essay Learning something new can be a scary experience. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do was learn how to swim. I was always afraid of the water, but I decided that swimming was an important skill that I should learn. I also thought it would be good exercise and help me to become physically stronger. What I didn't realize was that learning to swim would also make me a more confident person. New situations always make me a bit nervous, and my first swimming lesson was no exception. After I changed into my bathing suit in the locker room, I stood timidly by the side of the pool waiting for the teacher and other students to show up. After a couple of minutes the teacher came over. She smiled and introduced herself, and two more students joined us. Although they were both older than me, they didn't seem to be embarrassed about not knowing how to swim. I began to feel more at ease.

15. We got into the pool, and the teacher had us put on brightly colored water wings to help us stay afloat. One of the other students, May, had already taken the beginning class once before, so she took a kickboard and went splashing off by herself. The other student, Jerry, and I were told to hold on to the side of the pool and shown how to kick for the breaststroke. One by one, the teacher had us hold on to a kickboard while she pulled it through the water and we kicked. Pretty soon Jerry was off doing this by himself, traveling at a fast clip across the short end of the pool. Things were not quite that easy for me, but the teacher was very patient. After a few more weeks, when I seemed to have caught on with my legs, she taught me the arm strokes. Now I had two things to concentrate on, my arms and my legs. I felt hopelessly uncoordinated. Sooner than I imagined, however, things began to feel "right" and I was able to swim! It was a wonderful free feeling - like flying, maybe - to be able to shoot across the water.

16. Learning to swim was not easy for me, but in the end my persistence paid off. Not only did I learn how to swim and to conquer my fear of the water, but I also learned something about learning. Now when I am faced with a new situation I am not so nervous. I may feel uncomfortable to begin with, but I know that as I practice being in that situation and as my skills get better, I will feel more and more comfortable. It is a wonderful, free feeling when you achieve a goal you have set for yourself. Narrative Essays The first important thing to remember about a narrative essay is that it tells a story. The author may write about 1. An experience or event from his or her past 2. A recent or an ongoing experience or event 3. Something that happened to somebody else, such as a parent or a grandparent

17. The second important thing about a narrative essay is that the story should have a point. In the final paragraph, the author should come to an important conclusion about the experience that has just been described. Read the notes below. 1.The sample essay begins with a general statement, "Learning something new can be a scary experience." This statement introduces the subject of the essay, which is a particular learning experience that the author had. The use of "I" in the essay indicates that what is being described is a personal experience.

18. 2.The essay is essentially a story about something that happened. The author gives sufficient details about the people, place, and events so that the reader gets a clear idea of how the author feels about them. In the essay, the author "stood timidly" and the teacher "smiled" and was "patient." These words indicate the author's fears and the sense of security provided by the teacher who helped the author get over her fear. 3.In the final paragraph of the essay, the author reflects on the larger meaning or importance of the experience described. The author concludes that learning to swim has helped her to feel more confident about herself in other new situations. The idea that self-confidence comes from conquering your fears is something that all people can relate to. This is the point of the story.

19. 4.The essay is well-organized. After the introduction, the author describes the experience as it happened in time -- going to the pool the first day, having the first lesson, and the result of the subsequent lessons. The author might have chosen, however, to talk about the things she learned in order of their importance or difficulty. 5.The writing in an essay should be lively and interesting. Try to engage the reader's interest by adding details or personal observations. Sharing personal thoughts and details invites the reader into author's world and makes the story more personal and more interesting.

20. Homework Write a five paragraph essay and send it to Ms. Hada Ieong at hada.ieong@gmail.com Due date: April 26, 2009