Chapter Seven Introduction to Paragraph Development

1. Chapter SevenIntroduction to Paragraph Development English Skills with Readings, 5EJohn Langan

2. Description Narration Exposition Argumentation Patternsof Development

3. Description Description is a verbal picture of a person, place, or thing.

4. Narration Narration is an account of something that happened.

5. Exposition Inexposition, the writerexplainsa certain subject. Patterns of exposition include: • Comparison and contrast • Definition • Division and classification • Examples • Process • Cause and effect

6. Argumentation • In argumentation, a writer attempts to • supporta controversial point,or • defenda positionon which there is difference of opinion.

7. Two Points to Remember 1) While many paragraphs involve onepredominant pattern, most makeuse ofmore than one pattern. 2) Most paragraphs involve some form ofargumentation; that is, they attempt to convince the reader that a point is valid.

8. Important Considerations in Paragraph Development • Knowing your subject • Knowing your purposeand audience • Determining your point of view • Using peer review • Doing a personal review • Using acomputer

9. Subject of the Paper Try to write on something thatinterests you -- if possible, make it a subject you alreadyknow something about.

10. Purpose • Most writing has one of three purposes: • to inform, • to persuade, or • to entertain. • In order to achieve your purpose, you will need to know youraudience.

11. Audience Your instructor and classmates stand in for a general audience: educated adult readers. You will need to practice writing for more specific audiences, as well – an employer, a church group, the City Council, etc.

12. Point of View 1) First-person approach (I like comfort when I’m camping.) Most common in narrative writing. 2) Second-person approach (First, find your flashlight.) Generally appropriate only for giving instructions and direct explanations, as in process writing. 3) Third-person approach (The camper found his flashlight.) Most common in academic writing.

13. Peer Review • Identification: On a sheet of paper, write the author’s name and the title of the paper you read. • Scratch Outline: “X-ray” the paper for its inner logic by making a scratch outline. • Comments • Where did the paper “snag”? Suggest ways to fix problems. • Are there problems with support, unity, or organization? Try to help. • Note something you reallyliked about the paper.

14. Personal Review Follow these steps to practice your personal review: • Whileyou write and revise, evaluate forunity,support, andorganization. • After you’ve finished the next-to-last draft,check it forsentence skills.

15. Some Tips on Writing with a Computer • Saveyour work frequently. • Keepabackup disk. • Printout your work at the end of every session. • Copyyour file before making major changes – you might want to go back to the original!