NTUT Academic Writing (VII): An Overview on Paragraphs

＊Paragraph Structure:

Topic Sentence: not only names the topic but also limits the topic to one or two areas or called “controlling ideas.” Ex. Gold (topic), a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics. (controlling ideas) Supporting sentences: reasons, examples, facts, statistics, and quotations. Concluding sentence: signals the end and summarizes the points.

＊Unity & Coherence: Unity: discuss only one idea in a paragraph. (In the example, specifically the characteristics of gold, not its price or gold mining.) Coherence requires: (1) logical order; (2) transition signals (In the example, gold is both beautiful and useful.); (3) respective supporting details and examples.

＊How to Write a Title: (1) Prepositions of more than 5 letters may be capitalized. (2) The title is not underlined. (3) The title is not enclosed in quotation marks, nor is it ended in a period.

＊The Topic Sentence—Noteworthy Points: (1) It is a complete sentence. (2) Contains both a topic and a controlling idea. Ex. Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness. Registering for college classes can be a frustrating experience for new students. (3) Expresses only the main/most general idea; does not give any specific details. Ex. The Arabic origin of many English words is not always obvious. (too specific) The slang expression so long is probably a corruption of the Arabic salaam. (too general) English is a difficult language to learn.

＊Position of Topic Sentences: first, last or both(add table 2)

＊Test Yourselves: (I) a. It enables customers to do several banking transactions 24 hours a day. b. In addition, a customer can transfer funds between accounts or get a cash advance on a credit card. c. An automate teller machine (ATM) is a convenient miniature bank. d. For example, a customer can use an ATM to deposit money and withdraw a limited amount of cash.

(II) a. After an attack by a great white, 462 stitches were required to sew up an Australian scuba diver. b. With their razor-sharp teeth and strong jaws, great white sharks are very dangerous. c. Nevertheless, one did just that near a public beach in Australia in 1985. d. Even when they attack humans, however, great whites do not usually eat them e. It bit in half and totally devoured a young female swimmer. f. Great whites do not usually attack humans, but when they do, they always cause serious injury and even death.

(IV) a. In time, this melted part rises as a magma. b. The formation of a volcanic eruption is a dramatic series of events. c. As the plate sinks, friction and the earth’s heat cause part of it to melt. d. The magma produces heat, steam, and pressure. e. First of all, most volcanoes are formed where two plates collide. f. Then one of the plates is forced under the other and sinks. g. When the heat, steam, and pressure from the magma finally reach the surface of the Earth, a volcanic eruption occurs.

＊The Two Parts of a Topic Sentence: Ex. Convenience foods are easy to prepare. The native foods of America’s immigrant population are reflected in American cooking. The average American teenager consumes enormous quantities of junk food.

＊Test Yourselves: identify the parts of a topic sentence 1. Driving on freeways requires nerves of steel. 2. The Caribbean island of Trinidad attracts tourists because of its calypso music. 3. Living in an American college dormitory can be a stressful experience for newly arrived international students. 4. Many religious rules developed from the health needs of ancient times. 5. The spread of AIDS can be slowed by educating the public. 6. A major problem for international students is taking essay examinations. 7. Participating in class discussions in English is a problem for international students. 8. In my opinion, many television commercials for cosmetics lie to women. 9. Owning an automobile is a necessity for me. 10. It is an expensive luxury to own an automobile in a large city.

＊Writing Topic Sentences: (Too general) American food is terrible. (Too specific) American food is tasteless and greasy because Americans use too many canned, frozen, and prepackaged foods and because everything is fried in oil or butter. (Good) American food is tasteless and greasy. (Too many unrelated ideas) San Francisco is famous for its temperate climate, its many tourist attractions, and its cosmopolitan atmosphere. (Good) San Francisco is famous for its cosmopolitan atmosphere.

＊Test Yourselves:

＊Your Concluding Sentence Must: 1. Signal the end of the paragraph; 2. Summarize the main points of the paragraph; 3. Give a final comment on the topic and leave the reader with the most important ideas to think about.

＊End-of-Paragraph Signals:

＊Find Topic Sentences And Write Your Own Concluding Sentences: