Paragraph Structure

What is paragraph ?

A paragraph is a group of related sentences that discuss one (and usually only one) main idea. A paragraph can be as short as one sentence or as long as ten sentences. The number of sentences is unimportant; however, the paragraph should be long enough to develop the main idea clearly. A paragraph may stand by itself.

The three parts of a paragraph

            All paragraph have a topic sentence and  supporting sentences, and some paragraphs also have a concluding sentence.

            The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It not only names the topic of the paragraph, but it also limits the topic to one specific area that can be discussed completely in the space of a single paragraph. The part of the topic sentence that announces the spesific area to be discussed is called the controlling idea. For example:

Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics.

^{TOPIC                                                                                                 CONTROLLING IDEA}

            Supporting sentences develop the topic sentence. That is, they explain or prove the topic sentence by giving more information about it

For example:

first of all, a Macedonian coin remains as untarnished today as the day it was made 25 centuries ago.

            The concluding sentence signals the end of the paragraph ad leaves the reader with important points to remember. For example:

In conclusion, gold is treasured not only for its beauty but also for its utility.

The topic sentence

            A topic sentence is the most important sentence in a paragraph. It briefly indicates what the paragraph is going to discuss. For this reason, the topic sentence is a helpful guide to both writer and the reader. The writer can see what information to include (and what information to exclude). The reader can see what the paragraph is going to be about and therefore better prepared to understand it.

Here are three important points to remember about a topic sentence:

1. A topic sentence is a complete sentence; that is. It contains at least one subject and one verb. This following is not complete sentence because the sentence don’t have verb.

Driving on freeways.

2.       A topic sentence contains both a topic and controlling idea. It names the topic and then limits the topic to a specific area to be discussed in the space of a single paragraph. For example :

Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness.

3.       A topic sentence is the most general statement in the paragraph because it gives only the main idea. It doesn’t give any specific details. For example :

English has been influenced by other languages

•      Position of Topic Sentences: the topic sentence is usually (but not always) the first sentence in a paragraph. Experienced writers sometimes put topic in other locations (at the end), but the best spot is usually right at beginning. For example:

Synonims

            synonims, words that have the same basic meaning, do not always have same emotional meaning. For example, the words stingy and frugal both mean “careful with money.” however, calling someone stingy is an insult, but calling someone frugal is a compliment.

•      The two parts of  Topic Sentence

A topic sentence has two essential parts: the topic and the controlling idea. The topic names the subject of the paragraph. The controlling idea limits or control the topic to a specific area that you can discuss in the space of a single paragraph. For example:

Convenience foods are easy to prepare

                   ^{Topic                          Controlling idea}

Supporting sentences

              Supporting sentence explain or prove the  topic sentence. There are several kinds of specific supporting details: examples, statistics, and quotation. For example:

Synonims

              Synonims, words that have the same basic meaning, do not always have same emotional meaning. For example, the words stingy and frugal both mean “careful with money.” however, calling someone stingy is an insult, but calling someone frugal is a compliment.

The concluding sentence

A concluding sentence serves two purposes:

1. It signals the end of the paragraph
2. It leaves the reader with the most important ideas to remember. It can do this in two ways:

•      By summarizing the main points of the paragraph OR

•      By repeating the topic sentence in different words.

              A paragraph doesn’t always need s concluding sentence. For single paragraphs, especially long ones, a concluding sentence is helpful to the reader because it is a reminder of the important points. However, a concluding sentence is not needed for every paragraph in a multiparagraph essay.

End of paragraph signals followed by a comma	End of paragraph signals not followed by a comma
Finally, In brief, In conclusion, Indeed, In short, Lastly, Therefore, Thus, To sum up,	The evidence suggests that .... There can be no doubt that .... These examples show that .... We can see that ....

Exercises

Circle the topic and underline the controlling idea in each of the following sentences.

1. Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness.
2. The volcano erupted much more violently.
3. The automobile has changed our way of life.
4. The furniture of japan is very attractive.
5. Adventure travel is the hot heard in the tourism industry.
6. A major problem for many student  is the high cost of tuition and books.
7. Idioms are of ten difficult for newcomers to understand.
8. The caribbean island of Trinidad attracts tourist because of its calypso music.

9.      Where is the supporting details?

My hometown is famous for severalamazing natural features. First, it is noted for the Wheaton River, which is very wide and beautiful. Also, on the other side of the town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it isvery steep. The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree. This tree stands two hundred feet tall and is probably about six hundred years old.

10.  Where is the concluding sentence?

My hometown is famous for several amazing natural features. First, it is noted for the Wheaton River, which is very wide and beautiful. Also, on the other side of the town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual because it is very steep. The third amazing feature is the Big Old Tree. This tree stands two hundred feet tall and is probably about six hundred years old. These three landmarks are truly amazing and make my hometown a famous place.

11.  What is paragraph ?

Reflection of Bridge to Terabithia

Katherine, Paterson. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. United States. Thomas Y. Crowell Co.

Jess Aarons lives in a small town called Lark Creek and has a hard family life. Jess and Leslie spend a lot of time together. They take over a part of a nearby forest that's only accessible by swinging on a rope over the creek, and name it Terabithia. In this imaginary land, they're royalty. They can escape from the bullies and the boredom of fifth grade, and dream all they like. When the resident bully, Janice Avery, steals May Belle's Twinkies, Jess and Leslie get revenge on her by writing her a fake love letter and embarrassing her.

The cover is really nice because it shows about adventure and magic. I really like the colour of the cover. This book focuses on the sweet friendship of a tween boy and girl who share imaginative play, creating a world of their own just a rope swing away, far from the school bullies they face. It also features a child's death and grief in the aftermath of the tragedy, and may provoke tears. There's mention of cremation, which may be upsetting to some kids.

Reading this book reminds me a book called Harry Potter. This novel tell us about many Adventures and Magic. in which the world is divided into two parts, namely the world Muggle (ordinary human world) and the world of wizard. Anyway, this is an interesting novel to read. This simple tale of belonging and family will inspire readers of all ages.

Reflection of Morning Girl

Dorris, Michael. (1992). Morning Girl. America. UOP.        

Morning Girl is a young Taino girl who 'dreams too hard' at night, and therefore wakes early every morning. This early waking is why her family calls her Morning Girl; and she loves the beginning of the day, she said, 'If the day starts before you do, you never catch up.' One of the lovely things about this young girl is what she says about her approach to treading on the world: 'I try to step lightly on the path so the sounds I make will blend into the rustle of the world.' She also goes on to say, 'You'll see more if you're quiet.' Star Boy is different than his sister: he likes the night. His sister says he see's everything so upside down.

I like the cover, but too dominant white color. The cover only decrypt his sister ‘Morning Girl’. A peaceful, tropical world is the setting for Morning Girl, a simple yet rich glimpse into the lives of a young sister and brother.

Reading this book reminds about my sister and me that almost fight everyday.  No matter how often we quarreled, we are still need each other and love each other. Even we have an unique character, she still my sister, and i still her little sister. Anyway, this is an interesting novel to read. This simple tale of belonging and family will inspire readers of all ages.

Reflection of Hello my name is SCRAMBLED EGGS

Gilson, Jamie. (1982). Hello my name is SCRAMBLED EGGS. America. Aladdin.

This story takes place in 1985 at Zito`s house. Quint was his best friend. He always ate breakfast over there. He always carried a marble with him and they go to school and when they come home he had to eat dinner over Zito`s house. So they go and have fun eating stuff. One day a family from Vietnam and Harvey Trumble's. The Vietnamese family comes to America because they are trying to stay away from the Vietnam War. There is a kid Harvey's age in the family and his name is Tuan Nguyen. Harvey was so happy to have someone of his own age living with him. When Tuan Nguyen and his family move from Vietnam to America, Harvey Trumble knows that him and Tuan will be best friend.

The cover is really nice, because it shows about friendships. Although it is one of those older books and held a bunch of reminders for me of what life was like before the computer truly took over along with cell phones it still has a message to teach us about refugees, learning about those who are different from us and also allowing them to keep themselves as they are even when we want to change them to "supposedly" make them more acceptable to society.

Reading this book reminds me a book called Negeri 5 Menara. This novel tells of friendship in a boarding school. with different characters, color of skin and also their place of origin, it is a complement to the story of their friendship

Anyway, this is an interesting novel to read. This simple tale of belonging and family will inspire readers of all ages. -Rahma Talifta-