Stimulating Ideas 1__ Thinking about the to) Discuss the pictures with a partner. = Look at the people writing. What kind of writing is each per = Ave they writing for others or for themselves = What other kinds of writing can you think of? © What kind of writing do you usually dor Rhetorical Focus The Paragraph A paragraph is a group of sentences about a topic. In this book, you will learn how to organize and write the following kinds of paragraphs. Ina descriptive paragraph the writer describes a person. 2 place ora thing. «In an example paragraph the writer explain examples. opic by giving 2° Unit 1: The Sentence and the Paragraph+ Ina process paragraph the writer explains how to do something step by step. + In an opinion paragraph the writer expresses his or her feelings, ideas, and opinions about a topic * Ina narrative parageaph the writer tells a story. Formatting a Paragraph Margins ‘A patagraph must have a margin on the right and a margin on the left This means that the paragraph begins 1 inch or 1 1/4 inches from the edge of the paper. Spacing ‘A paragraph should be double-spaced Indenting ‘The first sentence of a paragraph must be indented. This means that it begins five spaces in from the left margin, Indenting shows the reader that a new paragraph is beginning, On a computer, you can indent with the Tab key, Connected Sentences ‘The sentences in a paragraph should follow each other. It is nota paragraph if every sentence begins on-a new line. A well-supported paragraph has at least 5 sentences and often more. Title A paragraph by itself usually has a title. This is one word or a group of words that tells what the topic is. Part 1 3Exercise 2__ Identifying the elements of a paragraph Read the paragraph. Then label the formatting elements of the paragraph. Use the words in the box. a, margin. double spacing. indent. title 1. +; Red |» J love the color red. No other color symbolizes so many different emotions and experiences. Life would be very boring without the color 3. —_— {ed, Fires would not burn in the same way. The sunset would not be interesting, and blood would not be so surprisingly beautiful. Red is powerful when it appears in nature, and it is also powerful when it 4. ___<{ appears in our emotions. Red is love. Red is anger. Red is beauty. I like to live life in a strong way, so I think I will always admire the color red. + learn about paragraph organization 4 Unit 1: The Sentence and the ParagraphDug Developing a Paragraph Rhetorical Focus Paragraph Organization A typical paragraph has a topic sentence, supporting sentences, and a concluding sentence. ©The topic sentence introduces the topic and tells what the writer will say about the topic. The sentences that follow further explain and support the topic sentence. They are called supporting sentences. * The concinding sentence often repeats the information in the topic sentence in a different way. Exercise 1 topic sentence Reading a student paragraph Read the paragraph below and note the topic sentence, supporting sentences, and concluding sentence, What was it that scared the barefoot boy? “| Barefoot Boy Suphad a aeaiy eepecienoe whan T Walrad yong boy One evening while my parents were eating dinner, I was playing barefoot in the yard with my toys. Even now I still remember the perfume of the flowers and the moisture of the grass. While I was sitting on the grass | distracted by the beauty of the stars. Then I felt something cold and smooth slide over my feet. I stayed perfectly still, but I looked down at my feet. Then I saw a snake slowly slithering over my toes.'I felt terrible and afraid, so my heart beat very fast. After the snake moved away, I screamed to my parents for help, and they captured the snake and took it away. The experience frightened me, and [ never went outside barefoot again. and playing with a truck, I looked up at the sky, and my attention was | concluding | “Sentence Pat2 5Exercise2__ Analyzing the student paragraph Examine the organization of the paragraph by answering the questions. 1. What is the topic sentence? Write it below 2. How many supporting sentences are there? 3. In your opinion, do the supporting sentences explain the topic sentence? —— 4, Write the concluding sentence below. 5. Does the concluding sentence repeat the information in the topic sentence in anew way? Rhetorical Focus The Topic Sentence ‘The topic sentence is usually the first or second sentence in a paragraph. It introduces a new idea. It presents the topic and explains what the writer will say about the topic. This explanation is called the controlling idea. Read the following topic sentences. In each one, the topic is my friend, The controlling ideas explain what the writer will say abot the topic. These controlling ideas tell the reader what to expect in the supporting sentences. topic | controlling idea My friend js an honest person. My friend is the funniest person | know. My friend has a territaly dangerous job. A topic sentence must not be a simple fact or a specific det controlling idea must say something about the topic that can supported, developed, or demonstrated in the supporting sent ‘The controlling idea must also not be too general, or the topic sentence will be unclear. A surprise party is a kind of party. too general) There were 14 quests at my surprise birthday party. (too specific My classmates gave me an unforgettable surprise party for m il. The en be ces ‘The last topic sentence is effective because it introduces and has 4 controlling idea that can be developed in the supporsse sentences, The paragraph will probably tell the story of the parmy 6 Unit 1: The Sentence and the Paragraph“Byercise3_Identifying topics and controlling ideas In each topic sentence below, circle the topic and underline the controlling idea. 1. (king) the best way to explore nature dosely My uncle had a frightening experience asa young man 3. Text messaging has become popular among teenagers. 4 Effective time management requites four easy steps. . Every college student should take a computer course Exercise 4__Identifying effective topic sentences In each sentence below, circle the topic and underline the controlling idea. If the sentence does not contain an effective controlling idea, write an X in the blank. For the effective topic sentences, write what you think the supporting sentences will be about. 1 (My doctorjis very kind to his patients The writer will give examples of ways in which his doctor is kind to patients. 2. Fried tice is easy to prepare if you follow some simple steps. Tam going to write about my country 4 Thad an adventure in the jungle last year. 5, ___ Video games are not bad for children. Exercise 5 Writing topic sentences Use each word or phrase below to write a topic sentence with a controlling idea. Then share your sentences with a partner. 1. Pets Fete are good companions for older people. 2. A first date 3. A terrible teacher 4, Tennis Part2 7Rhetorical Focus Supporting Sentences Supporting sentences add information about the topic and the controlling idea. Supporting sentences can include definitions, explanations, and examples. Read the topic sentence below. Then study the types of supporting sentences that might follow it ‘enie] [contains tea] Young people are 100 dependent on computers. Supporting definition Dependency on computers means that young people cannot perform the normal tasks and functions of daily life without them. Supporting explanation In the old days, people memorized important information, but today's youth rely on their computers, cell phones, and PDA’ to do assignments, record numbers, and save important information, As a result, they cen find themselves unprepared in an emergency such as an electrical blackout. Once their batteries die, these people will not be able communicate Supporting example For example, | do all my schoolwork on my computer. When my computer crashed last week, [lost my only draft of an essay that was due the next day Asa result, I got a bad grade. _Bxercise 6 _ Identifying topic sentences and supporting sentences For each set of sentences, write 7S next to the topic sentence. Write SS next to the supporting sentences. 1 Mosquitoes are attracted to heat. Mosquitoes will fly several miles to find food. Only the female mosquito bites. Mosquitoes are interesting insects. 2 a, One of my hobbies is listening to international music, b. [have a large collection of world music recordings. c. My friends and I like to introduce each other to new international tists we discover d. Tenjoy going to concerts by musicians from different counties. 8 Unit 1: The Sentence and the Paa. [like the way people decorate their homes and stores. _— b. Tenjoy going shopping in cold weather. ¢. Tenjoy the parties and celebrations of the winter holiday. d. Treally like the winter holidays. a. My new apartment has big closets b. My new apartment is perfect for my roommate and me. My new apartment is close to school and work es . My new apartment is not too expensive for students. Rhetorical Focus The Concluding Sentence The concluding, or final, sentence of a paragraph usually reminds the reader of the topic and controlling idea of the paragraph. The concluding sentence restates the main idea Topic sentence | love the color red. Concluding sentence Like to live fe in a strong way, so I think | will always admire the color red In addition to restating the main idea, the concluding sentence may: * war the reader. If you do not follow these steps, you may not get the grade that you want. + make a prediction. The automotive industry will change, and soon everyone will be driving pollution-free cars. * give an opinion about the topic. Some people might disagree, but | think lamb is the best meat for grilling. Sometimes writers signal the concluding sentence by using the phrase In conclusion. In conclusion, learning @ second language has many advantages Part2 9Exercise 7__Identit .g supporting sentences and concluding sentences Read the topic sentences below. Write $5 next to the three supporting sentences and write C5 next to the concluding sentence. 1. The best way to see San Francisco is by walking, CS_ a. When you explore San Francisco by foot, you can experience all the city has to offer. $5 b. When you walk, you experience the different smells of the restaurants, the plants and sometimes the ocean. 88 ¢, You can stop and look in the windows of shops or sit on a bench, for a short while and look at interesting people. 35 d, Inacarora bus, you cannot stop easily if you see something interesting because parking is difficult 2. An egg taco takes only five minutes to make. a. Your delicious egg taco is ready to eat in just a few minutes. ___ b. Heat a flour tortilla in a small amount of water. Scramble two eggs with a little salt and pepper. ____ di. When the eggs are done, slide them into the warm tortilla and fold it over. 3. My paper is late because something happened to my computer a. Twas almost finished writing my paper, and | we ss checking it for errors, b. Suddenly, my computer screen went blank, and the power was gone. cc. The accident made me lose many hours of work, so I could not turn in my essay on time. d. Later, [learned that a squirrel got on the power line and disruptec the electricity. 4. Lenjoy the riverwalk in San Antonio. a. The riverwalk is lower than the streets of the city ___ b. You can walk down staifs to a canal with a stone path and plants on each side. ‘There are many shops, restaurants and hotels along the path d. The riverwalk is a pleasant place to spend an afterno in San Antonio. 10. Unit 1: The Sentence and the ParagraphExercise 8__ Examining concluding sentences Circle the word that best describes each of the concluding sentences below. 1. I you follow these steps, you will never lose your keys again. a. b. opinion c. warning 2. Students who are not carefull with credit cards can go into debt quickly. a. prediction b. opinion ¢. warning 3. Venice, Italy, is the most beautiful city in the world a. prediction b. opinion c. warning 4, You will be able to produce a beautiful paper crane with only a little bit of practice a. prediction b. opinion c. warning 5. There are many reasons why movie stars make poor politicians a. prediction b. opinion ©. warning 6. The desert is a beautiful but dangerous place to hike, so do your rese: and take time to prepare carefully. a. prediction b. opinion ©. warning In Part 3 you will * learn about unity and coherence in paragraphs. Pat2 11Unity and Coherence Good academic writers follow specific steps to make sure their writing is both clear and accurate. They gather, organize, and develop ideas. ‘They write drafts, sometimes two or more. When they revise each draft, good writers look for unity, coherence, and grammatical problems. Rhetorical Focus Unity within a Paragraph A paragraph must have unity. A paragraph has unity when all the sentences support a single idea. @ The paragraph must have one controlling idea in the topic sentence. Otherwise the paragraph loses focus. © The supporting sentences must support or explain the controlling idea with examples, details, steps, or definitions. Otherwise, the paragraph will not be about one single idea. * The concluding sentence should restate the idea in the topic sentence. Otherwise the main idea might not be clear. Topic sentence My friend Macarena is generous. Supporting sentences She often lets travelers stay in her home. She has hosted many students temporarily. She sends money to her family in Chile every month to helo them with their bills. She always brings flowers or food to her friends when they are sick or have a need, Concluding sentence Macarena is one of the most generous people | know Note that all the sentences are about Macarena’s generosity. A sentence about the way she looks or about her job will not support the unity of the paragraph unless it somehow relates to Macarena’s generosity. 12. Unit 1: The Sentence and the Paragraph