Unit I: Writing MechanicsUnit I: Writing Mechanics

Writing ParagraphsWriting Paragraphs

The ParagraphThe Paragraph

group of sentences that are about one group of sentences that are about one central idea, called the topic.central idea, called the topic.

The topic is the first sentence of the The topic is the first sentence of the paragraph. This sentence is called the paragraph. This sentence is called the topic sentence.topic sentence.

Types of ParagraphsTypes of Paragraphs1. Descriptive Paragraph – Writer provides 1. Descriptive Paragraph – Writer provides details on a subject: holiday, sports-car, etc.details on a subject: holiday, sports-car, etc.2. Narrative Paragraph – Writer tells a (very) 2. Narrative Paragraph – Writer tells a (very) short story or tells the reader about a real-life short story or tells the reader about a real-life event.event.3. Explanatory Paragraph – Writer explains a 3. Explanatory Paragraph – Writer explains a difficult concept or procedure.difficult concept or procedure.4. Instructive Paragraph – Writer provides 4. Instructive Paragraph – Writer provides detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to detailed, step-by-step instructions on how to accomplish some task.accomplish some task.5. Summary Paragraph – Writer summarizes the 5. Summary Paragraph – Writer summarizes the main points of a larger written work.main points of a larger written work.6. Opinion Paragraph – Writer tries to convince 6. Opinion Paragraph – Writer tries to convince reader of their claim by using facts to support the reader of their claim by using facts to support the claim.claim.

Paragraph Unity and CoherenceParagraph Unity and CoherenceParagraph Unity - Every supporting Paragraph Unity - Every supporting sentence stays on topic and focusses on sentence stays on topic and focusses on the main idea.the main idea.Unit is achieved by careful planning in the Unit is achieved by careful planning in the pre-writing stage.pre-writing stage.Paragraph Coherence - Sentences flow Paragraph Coherence - Sentences flow into one another instead of being into one another instead of being separated by periods and sounding separated by periods and sounding staccato. staccato. Coherence is achieved through the use of Coherence is achieved through the use of complex sentences and conjunctions.complex sentences and conjunctions.

Good Vs. Bad Opinion ParagraphsGood Vs. Bad Opinion ParagraphsGood Opinion paragraphs rely on FACTS to back up its Good Opinion paragraphs rely on FACTS to back up its argument.argument.I think there were three reasons why I think there were three reasons why PacmanPacman was the most was the most played computer game of the 1980s. First of all, it is a game played computer game of the 1980s. First of all, it is a game played by both boys and girls. A Gallup poll indicates that played by both boys and girls. A Gallup poll indicates that both men and women like it for the skill involved. Secondly, both men and women like it for the skill involved. Secondly, PacmanPacman received new coverage in magazines such as received new coverage in magazines such as Maclean’sMaclean’s and and Saturday Night. Saturday Night. Because of that coverage, Because of that coverage, many occasional players tended to want to try many occasional players tended to want to try PacmanPacman. . Finally, it is a game with many levels of difficulty. The Finally, it is a game with many levels of difficulty. The amateur can feel happy making it through one round ; the amateur can feel happy making it through one round ; the experienced player enjoys the new challenges of later experienced player enjoys the new challenges of later rounds. Perhaps never again will a single computer game rounds. Perhaps never again will a single computer game like like PacmanPacman capture so much public attention. capture so much public attention.

Good Vs. Bad Opinion ParagraphsGood Vs. Bad Opinion ParagraphsBad Opinion paragraphs use personal opinions to Bad Opinion paragraphs use personal opinions to support its argument.support its argument.PacmanPacman was the most popular game of the 1980s was the most popular game of the 1980s because it’s the best game. because it’s the best game. PacmanPacman is never boring. is never boring. Sometimes the driving games can get boring if Sometimes the driving games can get boring if you’ve played them a while. Defender is never you’ve played them a while. Defender is never boring, but then it’s hard to understand at first and boring, but then it’s hard to understand at first and you can lose a lot of money just figuring out how to you can lose a lot of money just figuring out how to move your ship and what the attackers can do. You move your ship and what the attackers can do. You can tell right away what to do in can tell right away what to do in PacmanPacman. Lots of . Lots of other games are just imitations of Defender, but there other games are just imitations of Defender, but there is no other games like is no other games like PacmanPacman. That’s why . That’s why PacmanPacman is the most popular game.is the most popular game.

The Rest of the sentences.The Rest of the sentences.

Once the topic is established, the following Once the topic is established, the following sentences should be used to elaborate it sentences should be used to elaborate it (flesh it out) or to support it with details (flesh it out) or to support it with details and examples.and examples.

A good rule of thumb in grade eight is: A good rule of thumb in grade eight is: Write the topic sentence, and then write 5-Write the topic sentence, and then write 5-6 supporting sentences. Finally, write a 6 supporting sentences. Finally, write a summary sentence to close off your summary sentence to close off your paragraph for a total of 7-8 sentences.paragraph for a total of 7-8 sentences.

How to Organize Your How to Organize Your Supporting SentencesSupporting Sentences

Logical Order - Order points from: most important Logical Order - Order points from: most important to least or vice versa; general to specific or vice to least or vice versa; general to specific or vice versa; most familiar to least or vice versa; simplest versa; most familiar to least or vice versa; simplest to most complex or vice versa. Used in persuasive to most complex or vice versa. Used in persuasive paragraphs.paragraphs.

Time Order - Order points according to when they Time Order - Order points according to when they happen. Used in narrative paragraphs.happen. Used in narrative paragraphs.

Spatial Order - Order points according to how they Spatial Order - Order points according to how they exist physically in space compared to each other. exist physically in space compared to each other. Used in descriptive paragraphs.Used in descriptive paragraphs.

Example of a Good Grade 8 Example of a Good Grade 8 ParagraphParagraph

Animals are not the only organisms that Animals are not the only organisms that occupy very specific niches. Did you know occupy very specific niches. Did you know that countless numbers of micro-that countless numbers of micro-organisms inhabit the human body? You organisms inhabit the human body? You could say that each part of your body is its could say that each part of your body is its own ecosystem. Most of these micro-own ecosystem. Most of these micro-organisms are not harmful and the organisms are not harmful and the different species that inhabit the skin, the different species that inhabit the skin, the mouth, and the digestive tract are your mouth, and the digestive tract are your constant companions.constant companions.

Checklist for creating well-Checklist for creating well-written paragraphs: written paragraphs:

· Does the paragraph cover one main idea? · Does the paragraph cover one main idea? · Is this main idea clearly presented in the topic · Is this main idea clearly presented in the topic sentence, or at least very clear? sentence, or at least very clear? · Does each sentence in the paragraph support · Does each sentence in the paragraph support the point made in the topic sentence? the point made in the topic sentence? · Is the paragraph organized in a logical way? · Is the paragraph organized in a logical way? · Do the sentences flow smoothly from one to · Do the sentences flow smoothly from one to another? another? · Is the main idea sufficiently developed with · Is the main idea sufficiently developed with examples, details, arguments, statistics and/or examples, details, arguments, statistics and/or facts? facts?

The Bad ParagraphThe Bad Paragraph

The bad paragraph normally has one key The bad paragraph normally has one key problem. It goes off-topic.problem. It goes off-topic.

To make sure this doesn’t happen with To make sure this doesn’t happen with your paragraph map out your supporting your paragraph map out your supporting details, what order you want them in and details, what order you want them in and check to make sure they support your check to make sure they support your topic sentence.topic sentence.

An Example of a Bad ParagraphAn Example of a Bad ParagraphPeople who suffer from "winter blues" may be suffering People who suffer from "winter blues" may be suffering from S.A.D.-seasonal affective disorder. The classic from S.A.D.-seasonal affective disorder. The classic symptoms include depression, mild anxiety, fatigue, symptoms include depression, mild anxiety, fatigue, withdrawal from social situations, overeating, a craving withdrawal from social situations, overeating, a craving for sweets and carbohydrates, oversleeping, and a lack for sweets and carbohydrates, oversleeping, and a lack of energy, enthusiasm, and concentration. of energy, enthusiasm, and concentration. The craving The craving for sweets, of course, is likely to lead to weight gain, for sweets, of course, is likely to lead to weight gain, which can be another problem.which can be another problem. The symptoms of The symptoms of S.A.D. peak in the winter months, when the days are S.A.D. peak in the winter months, when the days are shorter and provide less sunshine. shorter and provide less sunshine. Winter days are Winter days are colder, too, especially in the northern climates, and a colder, too, especially in the northern climates, and a person has to wear extra clothing. People who suffer person has to wear extra clothing. People who suffer from the disorder should try to get as much from the disorder should try to get as much exposure to light as possible, especially outside, exposure to light as possible, especially outside, though bright indoor lighting and a sunny vacation though bright indoor lighting and a sunny vacation can help too. can help too.

Don’t Forget…Don’t Forget…

Paragraphs are almost always indented at Paragraphs are almost always indented at the beginning.the beginning.A single paragraph should have a closing A single paragraph should have a closing sentence, which again summarizes the sentence, which again summarizes the topic idea of the paragraph.topic idea of the paragraph.A paragraph in an essay should end with a A paragraph in an essay should end with a transition sentence which connects the transition sentence which connects the main ideas of the previous paragraph, to main ideas of the previous paragraph, to the next paragraph.the next paragraph.

Checking Over Your ParagraphsChecking Over Your Paragraphs

1. Make sure your paragraph has a topic 1. Make sure your paragraph has a topic sentence.sentence.2. Make sure your supporting sentences 2. Make sure your supporting sentences focus on the main idea.focus on the main idea.3. Make sure you have a closing sentence.3. Make sure you have a closing sentence.4. See if your paragraph is interesting. 4. See if your paragraph is interesting.

Closing SentenceClosing Sentence

Remember to summarize your topic Remember to summarize your topic sentence again (but in different words).sentence again (but in different words).