Dr. Agus Subiyanto, M.A

What is a paragraph? What are the functions of a paragraph? What are the components/parts of a paragraph? How to develop a paragraph? How to organize paragraphs into an essay/ a research report?

What is a Paragraph? A paragraph is a basic unit of organization in writing in which a group of related sentences develops one main idea. A paragraph is a group of sentences that tells about one subject or area. Each sentence in a paragraph must give information about the topic

Three functions of a paragraph It develops the unit of thought stated in the topic sentence It provides a logical break in the material It creates a visual break on the page, which signals a new topic

Parts of a Paragraph Topic sentence : TS states the main idea of the paragraph. It usually comes first in a paragraph, and it tells the reader what the paragraph will be about. A good topic sentence does two things: 1. It names a subject 2.) It gives the focus or main point  Supporting Sentences: SSs develop the topic sentence. They include information or details the reader needs in order to understand the topic. SSs explain the topic sentence by giving reasons, examples, facts, statistics and quotations, (narration, description, process, sample, definition, comparation and contrast, analogy, cause and effect)  Concluding Sentence CS signals the end of the paragraph /sums up the paragraph’s message. It reminds the readers of the topic. Topic Sentence:

The ancient Egyptians believed in many different gods and goddesses and each one had their own role to play in maintaining peace and harmony across the land. Some gods and goddesses took part in creation. Other gods and goddesses brought the flood every year. Some offered protection, and some took care of people after they died. Egyptians had local gods who represented towns, and minor gods who represented plants or animals. The ancient Egyptians believed that it was important to recognize and worship these gods and goddesses so that life continued smoothly. Topic Sentence Concluding Sentence SS

Unity in a Paragraph A paragraph should discuss one main idea

Coherence in a Paragraph

Logical Order

The Use of Transition Signals

Compare the following Paragraphs

Methods to develop a paragraph Narration Description Process Sample Definition Analysis and Classification Camparison and contrast Problem and solution

Two ways to write a comparison/contrast paragraph: - Block organization - Point-by-point organization

Structure of essay Title Abstract Introduction Body (Subheading 1, Subheading 2, Subheading 3, etc.) Concluding Paragraph

Structure of a Research Report

Structure of the Introduction Section Move 1 : Establishing the field by (a) asserting significance or (b) stating current knowledge. Move 2 : Summarizing previous research (a) using a strong author-orientation, or (b) using a weak author- orientation. Move 3 : Preparing for present research (a) by indicating a gap in previous research, or (b) by raising a question about previous research. Move 4 : Introducing the present research, (a) by stating the purpose, or (b) outlining present research. (Swales, 1981 )

Five Stages of Introduction (Weissberg & Buker, 1990 : 91)

Research Methods Describe the steps you followed In conducting your study and the materials you used at each step. It is useful for the readers who want to know how the methodology of your study may have influenced your results, or who are interested in replicating or extending your study. Elements : overview, sample, restrictions, sampling technique, materials, procedure, statistical treatment. (Weissberg & Buker, 1990 : 91)

Results & Discussion Results Discussion Location of results Most important findings Comments (Weissberg & Buker, 1990 : 91) Original hypothesis Findings Explanation for findings Limitations Need for further research (Weissberg & Buker, 1990 : 161)

Abstract Section The abstract provides reader with a brief preview of your study based on information from the other sections of the report. Elements in the abstract section : (1) background, (2) purpose, (3) method, (4) results, (5) conclusion (Weissberg & Buker, 1990: 184). The abstract is used to let readers know quickly what your assignment says. It is a brief summary of the whole paper. It should normally be words (Packham et al., 1985:57)

Hints for writing an Abstract It should be continuous narrative, written in whole sentences. It should not use separate paragraphs for the commonly recurring features of the problem, summary, introduction, method It should reflect the organization of the article, by following the exact order if possible. It should provide more information than the title. The title should not be repeated. The abstract should be brief, not waste words, yet be long enough to convey the author’s concept. It should be non-critical and unbiased; it is not a review. It should be unambiguous, intelligible, readable, and a complete item in its own right. It should be written in the author’s own language (as far as possible). (Graetz, 1985)

(Weissberg and Buker, 1990:185)

References Troyka, L. Q. (1987). Handbook for Writers. New Jersey : Prentice-Hall, Inc. Oshima, A. & A. Hogue (1999). Writing Academic English. New York : Longman. Smalley, R.L. (1982). Refining Composition Skills : Rhetoric and Grammar for ESL Students. New York : Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc.

Packam, G. McEvedy, MR. and Smith,P. (1985). Studying in Australia: Writing Assignments. Melbourne: Nelson. Weissberg, R & S. Buker (1990). Writing Up Research. Englewood Cliffs: Prentice Hall. Cresswell, J.W. (2009). Research Design : Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed methods Approaches. London : Sage.