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Sample Paragraph:
Although the New Testament writers used the popular language of their
day, they often achieved great dignity and eloquence. Convinced of the
greatness of their message, they often wrote naturally and directly, as
earnest men might speak to their friends. Although St, Mark's writing
was not necessarily polished, he wrote with singular vigor and
economy- St. John struggled with the language until he produced
sparse and unadorned prose of great beauty. St. Paul . at his best
reached heights of eloquence which some consider unsurpassed in
literature. St. Luke, the most brilliant of the New Testament writers,
gave us Jesus' Parable of the Prodigal Son. Taken as a whole, the work
of these great Christian writers of the first century has a dignity and
splendor all its own. (Donald et al (1978:12)
THE INTRODUCTION is: Although the New Testament writers used the
popular language of their day, they often achieved great dignity and eloquence.
From this the reader knows that the author will discuss the New Testament as
literature rather than as a religious book. In THE BODY, the author comments on
each of the writers of the book; the reader learns why the author believes that they
achieved dignity and eloquence. In THE CONCLUSION the final sentence of
the paragraph-the author repeats the opinion he stated in the introduction,
clarifying the point of the paragraph: the work of the Christian writers has a
dignity and splendor.
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The topic sentence and Supporting Sentences: Each paragraph contains A
TOPIC SENTENCE and SUPPORTING SENTENCES.
In the following paragraph, The topic sentence is Our teeth are very
important to us. This sentence tells the reader what the main idea of the paragraph
is. Since this idea is broad and abstract-it doesn't mention why and how they are
so important-the writer must develop and explain this idea with Supporting
Sentences. These details developed by Supporting Sentences are clear and more
concrete. Thus, the reader understands what the writer means by The topic
sentence.
Sample Paragraph
Our teeth are very important to us. There are two main uses for teeth. One is to
chew our food, which then is easy to swallow and digest. The second use is to
help us talk. We put our tongues against our teeth to make certain sounds. It is
difficult to understand what a person is saying if he does not have any teeth.
(Horn 1977:9)
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EXAMPLE, CAUSE AND EFFECT, COMPARISON AND CONTRAST,
DEFINITION, and ANALOGY.
1. Example
A paragraph developed by examples gives the reader many facts, which help to
make the topic more concrete and more easily understood. This technique is often
employed when the topic of the paragraph is very broad or abstract. In the sample
paragraph below, The topic sentence is Limiting one's view to an area that is too
small in relation to the world can be disappointing and dangerous. This topic
sentence alone is not sufficient to convince the reader. Hence, the writer uses three
examples: an international war, a decision at the national level, and a country's
economic development. These three examples support The topic sentence and
make the abstract idea more concrete.
Sample Paragraph
Limiting one's view to an area that is too small in relation to the world
can be disappointing and dangerous. There are many examples of a
person striving mightily to solve some immediate local problem, only to
find his efforts defeated by events occurring in a larger context. A
farmer's carefully maintained fields can be destroyed by an international
war. During the Vietnam War, the rice paddies of the Mekong Delia were
obliterated. Also, local officials' plans can be overturned by a national
policy. A decision at the national level that relocates a major highway
away from a town can mean ruin to the unwary gas-station operator or
restaurant owner. Further, a country's economic development can be
thwarted by a lack of world demand for its products- The coffee-growing
regions of Brazil or Uganda could suffer if people stopped drinking
coffee. Indeed, there is increasing concern today that most personal and
national objectives may ultimately be frustrated by long-term global
trends. (Johnston and Zukowski / Faust 1981:42)
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paragraph below, by listing many physical conditions and concomitant behaviors,
the writer shows how climate affects the culture of a country. That is, The topic
sentence Climate affects the culture of a country is developed by Supporting
Sentences illustrating effects. In this style of development, the writer can list
several effects resulting from one cause, as in the sample paragraph below, or he
can list several causes to support one effect.
Sample Paragraph
Climate affects the culture of a country- Men must learn to live within
the limitations of their environment, and climate is an important part of
the physical environment Life in a tropical country is less strenuous and
more casual than it is in a temperate one. Men work shorter hours and
less vigorously in a hot climate. They cannot play hard either. They tire
easily- They can relax by reading, by sipping cool drinks, or by listening
to soothing music. They must try to conserve their energy. The wisest
ones learn to respect the demands of Nature. (Friend 1971:43)
Sample Paragraph
There are two kinds of elephants-the African and the Indian. The African
elephant is larger and darker; it also has larger ears and a more sloping
forehead. Both can be lamed, but the Indian elephant is more easily trained
to do work. When an African elephant sleeps, it usually stands u, but its
Indian cousin usually sleeps lying down. (Yorkey 1982:124)
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4. Definition.
Sample Paragraph
5. Analogy.
Sample Paragraph
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bumps and hollows. An observer in an office ten stories above the
street would not be able to see these irregularities in the ground.
Noticing that the marbles appear to avoid SOP sections of the ground
and move toward other sections, he might assume that a "force" was
operating which repelled the marble from certain spots and attracted
them to others. But another observer on the ground would instantly
perceive that the path of the marbles was simply governed by the
curvature of the field. this analogy Newton is the upstairs observer who
imagine "force" is at work, and Einstein is the observer on me group
who has no reason to make such an assumption. (Bar 1950:91)
Transitional devices
1. To show addition : and; furthermore; who talks too much is seldom loved by
also; besides; moreover; in addition; others. Likewise, a person who rarely
again: Example: The price is too high; speaks is not always well liked.
furthermore, the apartment is not in an
4. To show emphasis : In fact; certainly;
appropriate place.
actually; indeed; as a matter of fact:
2. To show contrast : But; however; Example: Even though he is a quiet
nevertheless; unlike; on the other hand; person, everyone likes him. In fact, he is
yet; on the contrary; instead: Example: I always invited to parties.
like dogs; however, I hate cats.
5. To show concession : even though;
3. To show comparison : Likewise; though; although; despite this: Example:
similarly; correspondingly; in the same Even though he is a funny person, he
way; in like manner: Example: A person looks very serious in the classroom.
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6. To introduce an example: for up; she didn't wash her face before she
example; that is; in particular; for went to school; at dinnertime she didn't
instance; in other words: Example: I go to the kitchen to help her mother. In
think he doesn't have any concept of short, she behaved uncharacteristically
time; for example, he kept me waiting all day.
almost two hours yesterday.
9. To show a sequence : first,
7. To introduce a reason : Thus; as a second,...next: Example: If you want to
result; consequently; accordingly; so; get a good grade, you have to follow
therefore; then; hence; for this reason; these directions: First, you must preview
because of this: Example: It was raining; what you will study tomorrow. Second,
therefore, we decided to stay at home. you must do your homework. Third, you
must review what you have learned after
8. To introduce a conclusion : in
school.
summary; finally; to sum up; in
conclusion; in short: Example: Mary
didn't get up when her mother woke her
Sample Paragraphs
Japan is a nice country to visit. For example, there are many temples in
Kyoto and Nara , where you can enjoy terrific views. Korakuen Park in
Okayama is famous for its beautiful Japanese garden. However, Japan has
another aspect. Traffic jams are terrible in Tokyo and it takes more than an
hour for many workers to get to their office. The price of food is incredibly
high. Maybe Japan is not a good place to live.