Chapter 1

Chapter 1
Paragraph
Structure
Academic Writing 2 (1723-110)
Chap 1: Paragraph Structure (content to be
covered)
Introduction, Analysing the Model, Parts of

a Paragraph, The Topic Sentence, pr. 2
(Groups 2 and 3), pr.3 (paragraphs 1 and
2), pr.4, pr.5 (paragraphs 1 and 2),
Supporting Sentences, pr.6, Opinions vs.
Facts, pr.7, The Concluding Sentence, pr.8
(paragraphs 1 and 2), pr.9. The Writing
Process
Communication Styles That Don't Communicate
1 Studies show that certain styles of interpersonal communication are less effective
than others. 2 Which styles are the ones to avoid? 3 These same studies indicate that
the two least effective styles are aggressive and passive communication. 4 On the one
hand, an aggressive style involves speaking in a disrespectful manner, expressing
anger, or trying to dominate the conversation. 5 For example, a business executive
Writing Model might tell her coworker that his ideas for a new product are terrible. 6 Then she might
interrupt him when he tries to explain his ideas.7 This approach hinders successful
communication. 8 It also creates barriers between people. 9 A passive communication
style, on the other hand, can be equally unproductive. 10 A passive style might lead a
person to hide his or her beliefs, speak quietly, and submit to all demands.11 Someone
working on a fashion design project, for instance, might agree to use a fabric that he
thinks is unattractive. 12 He would not express his true feelings to the group. 13 In
short, ineffective communicators can fail to influence others either by being too forceful
or by hiding their opinions.
1. What is the main idea of the paragraph?
Certain communication styles are ineffective.
2. In which sentence does the writer state the main idea?
Sentence 1
3. How does sentence 3 support the main idea?
It explains that aggressive and passive communication styles are ineffective.
4. What points does the writer make about an aggressive style?
It can involve speaking in a disrespectful manner or expressing anger.
Questions about the Model
5. In which sentence does the writer introduce an example of an aggressive
style?
Sentence 5
6. What points does the writer make about a passive style?
It can lead a person to hide his or her beliefs and submit to demands.
7. In which sentence does the writer, introduce an example of a passive
style?
Sentence 11
Recognizing Topic Sentences
Controlling idea
Parts of a
Topic Topic
Sentence
Focused direct clear specific

The Caribbean island of Trinidad attracts tourists because of its
calypso music.
Spectacular beaches make Puerto Rico a tourist paradise.
Moving away from home can be a stressful experience for young

people.
Many religious rules arose from the health needs of ancient times.
A major problem for many students is the high cost of tuition and
Recognizing Parts of books.
Topic sentneces Participating in class discussions is a problem for several different
groups of students
In my opinion, television commercials for cosmetics lie to women.
Owning an automobile is a necessity for me.
It is an expensive luxury to own an automobile in a large city.
Taste and appearance are both important in Japanese cuisine.

re
pa
o m th
C bo phs
r a
a g
a r nd
p a d s
n
fi nc e
re
ff e
di
Examples
Difference
between
facts and
opinion
Difference  My birthday is in December. (can
between this be proven?)
facts and  Eid is the best day of a year.
opinion (Could people disagree?)
 Women are better communicators than men.
Fact vs  Smoking is a bad habit.
Opinion  English is an easy language to learn.

Opinions vs. Facts
When supporting your ideas, it is important to

distinguish between facts and opinions.
 Opinions are subjective statements based on a
person's beliefs or attitudes as in these examples:
 Women are better communicators than men.
 Smoking is a bad habit.
 English is an easy language to learn.
Facts are objective statements of truths.
 At sea level, water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.
 Women live longer than men.
 Cigarettes are addictive.
Some facts  Sometimes even facts need proof. While all three statements
Need prove above are facts, the last two need proof. Your readers may
not believe that women live longer than men, or they may not
agree that cigarettes are addictive. You have to use specific
supporting details such as examples, statistics, and
quotations to prove that these statements are true facts.
Photographs of ultrathin fashion models
send the wrong
OPINION(O)
message to girls and young women.
FACT BUT NEEDS Fashion models are extremely thin.

PROOF (F-NP)
The average model weighs 23 percent less
SPECIFIC than the average woman of the same
SUPPORTING height.
DETAIL (SSD)
This evidence suggests that if you pay atttention and show interest to the speaker
can make you a better communicator.
These are the important points covered in this chapter:
1.A good topic sentence
• is a complete sentence with a subject, a verb, and a controlling idea.
• is neither too general nor too specific. It clearly states the main idea of
the paragraph but does not include specific details.
Chapter • is usually the first sentence in the paragraph.

2. Good supporting sentences
Review • explain or prove the topic sentence.
• are specific and factual.
• can be examples, statistics, or quotations.
3. A good concluding sentence
• signals the end of the paragraph.
• summarizes the important points briefly or restates the topic sentence
in different words.
Choose one topic and write 12 sentences (hand
written):
Writing  The best Gift I ever got

Practice  A fun day with my family
 My free time activities
After
Completion
of the
assignment
score your
writing

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Chapter 1

Introduction, Analysing the Model, Parts of

Focused direct clear specific

Moving away from home can be a stressful experience for young

Owning an automobile is a necessity for me.

It is an expensive luxury to own an automobile in a large city.

Taste and appearance are both important in Japanese cuisine.

Opinion  English is an easy language to learn.

When supporting your ideas, it is important to

FACT BUT NEEDS Fashion models are extremely thin.

Chapter • is usually the first sentence in the paragraph.

Writing  The best Gift I ever got

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