Writing ENG 102

ENG 102
ACADEMIC WRITING
What Is a Paragraph?
A paragraph is a basic unit of organization in writing in which a group of related sen
tences develops 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 also be one part of a longer piece of writing such as a chapter of
a book or an essay.
Paragraph Structure
3 Parts of a Paragraph
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 or two areas that can be discussed
completely in the space of a single paragraph. The specific area is called the
controlling idea. Notice how the topic sentence of the model states both the topic and
the controlling idea:
TOPIC CONTROLLING IDEA
Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics.

Supporting sentences develop the topic sentence, That is, they explain the topic sentence by
giving reasons, examples. facts, statistics, and quotations. Some of the supporting sentences
that explain the topic sentence about gold are,
➢ First of all, gold has a lustrous beauty that is resistant to corrosion.
➢ For example, a Macedonian coin remains as untarnished today as the day it was minted
twenty-three centuries ago.
➢ Another important characteristic of gold is its usefulness to industry and science.
➢ The most recent use of gold is,in astronauts' suits.
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.
Unity and Coherence
Unity means that you discuss only one main idea in a paragraph. The main idea is stated in the topic
sentence, and then each and every supporting sentence develops that idea. If, for example, you
announce in your topic sentence that you are going to discuss two important characteristics of gold,
discuss only those. Do not discuss any other ideas, such as the price of gold or gold mining.
Coherence means that your paragraph is easy to read and understand because (1) your supporting
sentences are in some kind of logical order and (2) your ideas are connected by the use of
appropriate transition signals. For example, in the paragraph about gold, there are two supporting
ideas: Gold is beautiful, and gold is useful. Each ofthese supporting ideas is discussed, one after the
other, and an example is given for each one. This is one kind oflogical order.
In summary, a well-written paragraph contains five elements: a topic sentence, supporting
sentences, a concluding sentence, unity, and coherence.
Assignment Format
Both handwritten and typed:
➢ In the upper right-hand corner, write or type your
name, the course title and/or number, and the due
date.
➢ In the upper left-hand corner, write or type the
practice number and/or name of the assignment
and the page number.
➢ Title: Center the title on the top line of the first
page.
Begin writing on the third line after skipping a
line. Indent the first line of every paragraph about
one inch from the margin. Write on every other line.
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 the 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 is, therefore, better prepared to understand
it.
There are three important points to remember about a topic sentence:
1. A topic sentence is a complete sentence; that is, it contains a subject, a verb, and (usually) a
complement. The following are not complete sentences:
➢Driving on freeways.
➢The importance of gold.
➢How to register for college classes.
2. A topic sentence contains both a topic and a 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. The
following examples show how a topic sentence states both the topic and the controlling idea in
a complete sentence:
➢ Driving on freeways requires skill and alertness.
➢ Gold, a precious metal, is prized for two important characteristics.
➢ Registering for college classes can be a scary experience for new students.
3. A topic sentence is the most general statement in the paragraph because it gives only
the main idea. It does not give any specific details. The following is an example of a general
statement that could serve as a topic sentence:
➢Transportation in Cyprus is a really challenging situation.
Position of Topic Sentences
The topic sentence may be the first or last sentence in a paragraph. The topic sentence may also be the first
and last sentence of the paragraph- "sandwich-style." A sandwich-style paragraph is especially helpful to
your reader if the paragraph is very long. The second topic sentence in the sandwich-style paragraph also
serves as a concluding sentence.
Practice 1: Recognizing Topic Sentences
STEP 1- Decide which of the following sentences is the topic sentence of the paragraph.
STEP 2- Write TS on the line next to that sentence.
STEP 3-Decide the order of the supporting sentences and number them SS1, SS2,
SS3, and so on.
Paragraph I
__a. It enables customers to do severa.l banking transactions twenty-four
hours a day.
__b. In addition, a customer ca.n transfer funds between accounts or get a
cash advance on a credit card.
__c. An automated teller machine (ATM) is a convenient miniature bank.
__d.For example, a customer ca.n use an ATM to deposit money and wtthdra.w a limited amount of cash.
Paragraph II
__a. After an attack by a great white, 462 stitches were required to sew up an Australian scuba
diver.
__b. With their razor-sharp teeth and strong jaws, great white sharks are very dangerous .
.__c. Nevertheless, one did just tha.t near a public beach in Austra.li& in 1985.
__d. Even when they attack humans, however, great whites do not usually eat them.
__It bit in half and totally devoured a young female swimmer.
__f. Great whites do not usually attack humans, but when they do, they
always cause serious injury and even death.

Writing ENG 102

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ENG 102

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

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