Paragraph Writing

A paragraph is a series of sentences that are organized and coherent, and are all related to a single topic. Almost every piece of writing you do that is longer than a few sentences should be organized into paragraphs. This is because paragraphs show a reader where the subdivisions of an essay begin and end, and thus help the reader see the organization of the essay and grasp its main points.

Paragraphs can contain many different kinds of information. A paragraph could contain a series of brief examples or a single long illustration of a general point. It might describe a place, character, or process; narrate a series of events; compare or contrast two or more things; classify items into categories; or describe causes and effects. Regardless of the kind of information they contain, all paragraphs share certain characteristics. One of the most important of these is a topic sentence.

baca lebih lanjut disini.

A good paragraph consists of:

1. 1 topic sentence
2. few supporting sentences
3. 1 conclusion/closing sentence

-TOPIC SENTENCES-

To write a good paragraph, you need to write a topic sentence to begin your paragraph with.

for example:

[STUDY] There are three reasons why I choose Educational Technology as my major in State University of Surabaya.

(yang mau diceritakan: 3 alasan)

[Friend] Among my classmates, Abidin is the best because of his kindness, his intelligence, and his caring.

(yang mau diceritakan: kebaikan, kepintaran, dan kepedulian)

[Family] Whenever i have problems, my mom has lovely ways to comfort me.

(yang mau diceritakan: cara menyenangkan ibu)

[Event] TA 2011 was unforgettable especially during special sessions.

(yang mau diceritakan: sesi-sesi istimewa)

-SUPPORTING SENTENCES-

Supporting Sentences support the topic sentence with reasons or examples.

for example:

[Topic Sentence] There are three reasons why I choose Educational Technology as my major in State University of Surabaya.

[SS1] First of all, since i was a little girl, I always want to work in education.

[SS2] Second, I started to get interested with computer programs during the Communication & Information Technology course in High School.

[SS3] Third, after reading a lot of education books, I have a dream of becoming a computer-assisted instruction designer.

-CLOSING SENTENCE-

There are three reasons why I choose Educational Technology as my major in State University of Surabaya.First of all, since i was a little girl, I always want to work in education.

Second, I started to get interested with computer programs during the Communication & Information Technology course in High School.

Third, after reading a lot of education books, I have a dream of becoming a computer-assisted instruction designer.

Therefore, to get what I want in life, I will study hard in Educational Technology Department. [>>>>closing/conclusion]

~.~

SOME USEFUL TRANSITIONS

(modified from Diana Hacker, A Writer’s Reference)

To show addition:

again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc.), further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover, next, too

To give examples:

for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate

To compare:

also, in the same manner, likewise, similarly

To contrast:

although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, though, yet

To summarize or conclude:

all in all, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to sum up

To show time:

after, afterward, as, as long as, as soon as, at last, before, during, earlier, finally, formerly, immediately, later, meanwhile, next, since, shortly, subsequently, then, thereafter, until, when, while

To show place or direction:

above, below, beyond, close, elsewhere, farther on, here, nearby, opposite, to the left (north, etc.)

To indicate logical relationship:

accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this reason, hence, if, otherwise, since, so, then, therefore, thus