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General objective: Students will be able to write paragraphs which are unified, coherent and
complete.
Specific Objectives
At the end of these lessons students should be able to:
1. Define the term paragraph writing.
2. State the parts of the paragraph- topic sentence, supporting sentences, concluding sentence.
3. Discuss the functions of each part of the paragraph.
4. Analyze paragraphs for the following elements- unity, coherence, completeness
5. Use transition words between sentences.
6. Use the principles of organization when writing paragraphs.
Previous Knowledge
The students should have prior knowledge of sentence structure and function.
Methods
1. Class Discussions
2. Teacher Lead Explanations
3. Questioning
Introductory Activity
Chain Paragraph
Teacher will lead students in writing a chain paragraph. The teacher will write the name of an
individual, place or object, for example Usain Bolt. The teacher will then ask the students to give
information about the person, place, or object. After this, the teacher and students will discuss the
relevance and sequence of the information ( unity, coherence, completeness).
Content
What is a paragraph?
A paragraph is a collection of related sentences dealing with a single topic. Learning to write
good paragraphs will help you as a writer stay on track during your drafting and revision stages.
Good paragraphing also greatly assists your readers in following a piece of writing. You can have
Prepared by Mrs, Sheareaffer Reid-Wood
Subject-grade Coordinator for Grade Ten English Language
Elements of a Paragraph
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fantastic ideas, but if those ideas aren't presented in an organized fashion, you will lose your
readers (and fail to achieve your goals in writing).
Verbal bridges
Completeness
The topic (which is introduced by the topic sentence) should be discussed fully and adequately.
Again, this varies from paragraph to paragraph, depending on the author's purpose, but writers
Prepared by Mrs, Sheareaffer Reid-Wood
Subject-grade Coordinator for Grade Ten English Language
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should beware of paragraphs that only have two or three sentences. It's a pretty good bet that the
paragraph is not fully developed if it is that short.
Some methods to make sure your paragraph is well-developed:
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The concluding sentence signals the end of the paragraph and leaves the reader with important
points to remember:
In conclusion, gold is treasured not only for its beauty but also for its utility.
Concluding sentences are customary for stand-alone paragraphs. However, paragraphs that are
parts of a longer piece of writing usually do not need concluding sentences.
Principles of Organization
Chronological Order (order of Time)
In chronological order or time order, items, events, or even ideas are arranged in the order in
which they occur. This pattern is marked by such transitions as next, then, the following morning,
a few hours later, still later, that Wednesday, by noon, when she was seventeen, before the sun
rose, that April, and so on.
Chronological order can suit different rhetorical modes or patterns of exposition. It naturally fits
in narration, because when we tell a story, we usually follow the order in which events occur.
Chronological order applies to process in the same way, because when we describe or explain
how something happens or works, we usually follow the order in which the events occur. But
chronological order may also apply to example, description, or parts of any other pattern of
exposition.
Spatial Order
Another principle of organization is spatial order. In this pattern, items are arranged according
to their physical position or relationships. In describing a shelf or desk, I might describe items on
the left first, then move gradually toward the right. Describing a room, I might start with what I
see as I enter the door, then what I see as I step to the middle of the room, and finally the far side.
In explaining some political or social problem, I might discuss first the concerns of the East
Coast, then those of the Midwest, then those of the West Coast. Describing a person, I might start
at the feet and move up to the head, or just the other way around. This pattern might use such
transitions as just to the right, a little further on, to the south of Memphis, a few feet behind, in
New Mexico, turning left on the pathway, and so on. Spatial order is pretty common in
description, but can also apply to examples, to some comparisons, some classifications [the
Prepared by Mrs, Sheareaffer Reid-Wood
Subject-grade Coordinator for Grade Ten English Language
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southern species of this bird . . . ; rhinos in Southeast Asia . . .], some narrations [meanwhile, out
on the prairie], and other forms of exposition as well.
Evaluation Exercises
1. Paragraph Structure
Find the topic sentence, supporting details, and conclusion in these paragraphs:
Circle the topic sentence. Number the supporting details. Underline the conclusion.
Winter is my favourite season because I like the clothes, the food and the activities. In the
winter, I can wear a big coat and my favourite sweater. When it's cold, I can eat hot foods and
soup. I like to drink hot chocolate, too. Best of all, I enjoy many winter activities. I can play in
the snow and make a snowman. I can go skiing, ice skating, or stay at home by the fireplace.
These things make winter my favourite season.
Prepared by Mrs, Sheareaffer Reid-Wood
Subject-grade Coordinator for Grade Ten English Language
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American food is fast, cheap, and tasty. Some countries have food that takes a long time
to make, but Americans like to eat fast food, for example: hot dogs, hamburgers, and sandwiches.
American food is not too expensive. Some people don't like American food, but I think it tastes
great. You can put ranch dressing on everything to make it taste delicious. If you are looking for
food that is fast, cheap, and tasty, you should try American food.
Do all the sentences in this paragraph stay focused on the topic?
I don't like tests. Every time I take a test, I feel nervous. When I study for a test, I don't
know if I will be able to get a good grade. Often I worry about taking a test and can't sleep.
Sometimes I daydream or draw pictures in class. After the test is over, I worry about my grade.
When my teacher gives the test back to me with a grade, I still can't relax because I know I will
have another test soon. Tests give me a lot of stress. That is why I don't like tests.
Write a topic sentence for this paragraph.
___________________________________________. You don't have to take a cat for a
walk every day like a dog. You do not have to wash cats because they know how to clean
themselves. If you want to go on vacation, you can leave some food and water for your cat and it
will be okay. A cat can sleep on your bed and keep you warm at night. I think these things make
cats good pets.
Write a concluding sentence for this paragraph.
Halloween is a traditional American holiday. Americans celebrate it every year on
October 31. Children dress in Halloween costumes and go trick-or-treating. Adults have parties
and decorate their homes. The stores sell a lot of candy and black and orange decorations. At
parties people eat cupcakes and drink apple cider. They also carve pumpkins to make jack-o-
________________________________.
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lanterns._______________________________________________________________________
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3. Select one of the following topics and write an excellent paragraph on a
separate sheet of paper. (10 points)
Topics:
Describe your favourite thing to do after school.
Describe one of your relatives or your pet.
Describe a place you would like to visit.
Prepared by Mrs, Sheareaffer Reid-Wood
Subject-grade Coordinator for Grade Ten English Language
Student Reminders:
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