PARAGRAPH

MS. APRIL J.RIVERA

WHAT MAKES UP A WORD?
WHAT BUILDS A SENTENCE?
WHAT MAKES UP A
PARAGRAPH?
PARAGRAPHS
•Essays in miniature
•Self-contained/independent paragraphs
• Paragraphs that are not part of a larger piece of
writing
• Complete in itself
• It can become the basis for a future composition or
essay
 ROUGH OUTLINE
Topic sentence: I love Davao and its people.
Outline: 1. Its people are warm and friendly.
2. Davao is safer than Manila.
3.Living in Davao is cheaper.
Concluding sentence: I call Davao home.
 PARAGRAPH
• Para-alongside and graph-to write
• A cluster/group/series of interrelated sentences which develop a
single idea
• Interrelated sentence-sentence grows out of the preceding
sentence and leads on to the next or that the sentences are
related to one another because they all say something about the
main idea.
• develop an idea-sentences present an adequate and competent
explanation of the topic so that the reader is able to understand
your idea as clearly as you understand it yourself
STRUCTURE
•TOPIC SENTENCE
•SUPPORTING SENTENCES
•CONCLUDING
SENTENCE
TOPIC SENTENCE
-what you know, think, like or dislike about it
-give opinion or take a stand on the subject of movies
-becomes the central idea in a paragraph
-general sentence in a paragraph
-Presents a controlling idea that will:
-Provide focus and direction for the writer
Give the reader an idea of what to expect
Determine the pattern of the paragraph
LOCATION OF A TOPIC
SENTENCE
•Beginning-a constant reminder and a guide
•Middle
•End
•Both beginning and end-attention the
importance of a central idea
•implied
There were three reasons why I did
not enjoy the school trip. Firstly, the
journey to our hotel was long, hot
and boring. Secondly, we spent all
our time in museums doing boring
worksheets.And thirdly, we had to
go to bed really early.
There are many things that ESL students can do to
improve their English more quickly.They can join an
after-school club which will give them the chance to
practise spoken English while doing an activity that
they enjoy.They can also watch films, particularly
DVDs with the English subtitles turned on. Best of all,
however, is to do plenty of reading for pleasure. Non-
fiction in particular is an excellent way of acquiring a
strong academic vocabulary.
When a camera flash is used in a low-light environment, the
subject's eyes may appear red in the finished photograph.
What is known as "red-eye" is the result of light from the
flash reflecting off the pupils of the eyes. The phenomenon of
red-eye can be lessened by using the red-eye reduction
feature found on many SLR cameras.This feature activates a
lamp which shines a small light directly into the subject's
eyes. When this happens, the diameter of the pupil is
reduced, thus tightening the opening in the iris. Since a
smaller pupil means a smaller host for the reflection, the
chances of red-eye occurring are greatly reduced.
The best holiday that I ever had was
when I was 8 years old. My family drove
into the Scottish mountains in a rented
caravan, and we spent the whole time
walking in the wonderful nature in that
part of the world.We were very lucky
with the weather.
Making a web page is easier than most
people think. If you can use Microsoft Word
and format text, then you will quickly learn
Frontpage, which is another Microsoft
program with a very similar interface.There
are just a few extra functions to learn, such
as making a link.
People do it everyday. They log on to their favorite website
and browse for hours, checking out bargains. They dump
every possible wish into their shopping carts, knowing they
can cast each one aside before they finalize their purchases.
On the way, they may enter a sweepstakes in the hopes of
winning a trip to Cabo San Lucas, or maybe even a new SUV.
And then, when they have decided on their purchases, they
enter private information without giving it a thought. With a
keystroke, they release their personal data into what may or
may not be a secure zone. Despite what much of the public
believes, internet shopping is not safe.
 SUPPORTING POINTS
•Details that you choose:
•To explain your topic sentence
•To show its truth or validity
•To illustrate your main idea
•*should be expressed in a language that is
as concrete and specific as you can make it
•Topic sentence C. Supporting sentence
•A. Supporting sentence •Detail
•Detail •Detail
•Detail •(etc.)
•B. Supporting sentence •Concluding sentence
•Detail and final thought
•Detail
Even though I didn't relish the idea of being in New York City, I
decided to attend graduate school there for several important
reasons. First of all, Columbia University allowed
individualization in programming. Perhaps most important, I
learned on my first visit to the university that the professor who
would be my advisor would allow me to do much of my work in
Rochester and travel to New York only for special meetings. The
university also accepted work I had previously done and applied
it to my degree. Besides the coursework, I knew and respected
the two professors who would be my advisors. Both people have
taught and researched in the field for many years. They have
much information to share and I knew I could learn a lot from
them. Despite my reservations about spending time in New
York City, I found that once I became familiar with the part
of Manhattan where Columbia is located, I could get around
easily. Streets and avenues run perpendicular to one another,
so it was difficult to become lost. When I became braver, I
learned to take the subways as well as the buses instead of
taxis and saved myself a lot of money. Even though at first I
had doubts about studying in New York, it was a good
decision.
TOPIC SENTENCE: EVEN
THOUGH I DIDN'T RELISH THE
IDEA OF BEING IN NEW YORK
CITY, I DECIDED TO ATTEND
GRADUATE SCHOOL THERE
FOR SEVERAL IMPORTANT
REASONS.
A. SUPPORTING SENTENCE: COLUMBIA
UNIVERSITY ALLOWED
INDIVIDUALIZATION OF PROGRAMMING.
•Detail: I could work in Rochester
and travel to New York only for
special meetings.
•Detail: …accepted work from
other programs
B. SUPPORTING SENTENCE: I KNEW
AND RESPECTED MY TWO ADVISORS.

•Detail: Both have researched in

the field for many years.
•Detail: They had much
information to share.
C. SUPPORTING SENTENCE: I FOUND I
COULD GET AROUND EASILY IN NEW
YORK.
•Detail: …difficult to become lost
because the city streets and avenues
are perpendicular to each other.
•Detail: I learned to use subways and
buses.
CONCLUDING SENTENCE AND FINAL
THOUGHT:

•Even though at first I had

doubts about studying in
New York, it was a good
decision.
 CONCLUDING SENTENCE
• Final sentence AND should be well-crafted and apt
• Remember:
• a. it is not the time to introduce a new topic
• b. keep away from trite, over-used expressions,
high-schoolish endings or a preachy tone.
• *a good concluding sentence gives the
paragraph a sense of order and completeness
that is satisfying to the reader.
WAYS OF CONCLUDING
• A pithy saying to high light the central idea
• An apt quotation to illustrate the main point
• A modified restatement of the topic sentence
that ties up the paragraph and gives it a strong
finish because the central idea has been
reinforced and emphasized
• Use of the topic sentence twist
There are three reasons why Canada is one of the
best countries in the world. First, Canada has an
excellent health care system. All Canadians have
access to medical services at a reasonable price.
Second, Canada has a high standard of education.
Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are
encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally,
Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed.
Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for
people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable
place to live.
My hometown is famous for several amazing natural
features. First, it is noted for the Wheaton River,
which is very wide and beautiful. Also, on the other
side of the town is Wheaton Hill, which is unusual
because it is very steep. The third amazing feature is
the Big Old Tree. This tree stands two hundred feet
tall and is probably about six hundred years
old. These three landmarks are truly amazing
and make my hometown a famous place.
EXERCISES
ACTIVITY 1
• Watch the video “How to make your writing
funnier”
• Formulate a TOPIC SENTENCE, SUPPORTING
SENTENCES, and a CONCLUDING SENTENCE.
Use the provided GUIDE.
• Write the sentences on the construction papers.
• Post your sentences on the BOARD
ACTIVITY 2
• Read the assigned TEXT
• Brainstorm among yourselves and come up with at least
two situations that prove the claim of the TEXT.
• Describe the two situations in details. Follow the structure:
TS, SS, CS.
• Write the sentences on the construction papers. Post your
sentences on the board.
ACTIVITY 3
• Examine the selections assigned to your group.
• Based on the examples, formulate pointers in
writing compositions using the patterns of
development assigned to your group.
• Write your pointers on a ¼ manila paper.
• Post the pointers on the BOARD.
 PARAGRAPH
DEVELOPMENT
ILLUSTRATION
Uses examples to show, explain, or prove a
point. Giving examples is the basis of all
good writing and speaking:You make a
statement, and then you provide an
example that shows what you mean.You
must give enough examples to get the point
across.
ILLUSTRATION
1. Makes a point.
2. Gives detailed and specific
examples
3. Gives enough examples to get
the point across.
Although they don’t consider it stealing, many people regularly
take things from their jobs. The most common items to
disappear are pens and pencils that the employees almost
unconsciously stuff into their purses and pockets. Over time,
they may accumulate a lot of them. Another big item is all kinds
of paper: pads of lined paper, little notepads, and file folders.
Finally, one of the most significant ways people steal from their
employers is by taking home samples of products the company
makes. Employees think they are entitled to these products and
even give them to friends. These examples many not seem like
stealing, but the results are the same: extra costs to the company,
which may result in lower pay raises.
Although they don’t consider it stealing, many people
regularly take things from their jobs. The most common
items to disappear are pens and pencils that the employees
almost unconsciously stuff into their purses and pockets. Over
time, they may accumulate a lot of them. Another big item is all
kinds of paper: pads of lined paper, little notepads, and file folders.
Finally, one of the most significant ways people steal from their
employers is by taking home samples of products the company
makes. Employees think they are entitled to these products and
even give them to friends. These examples many not seem like
stealing, but the results are the same: extra costs to the company,
which may result in lower pay raises.
NARRATION
-tells a story of an event or an experience.
Good narration:
1. Reveals something of importance.
2. Includes all the important events of the story.
3. Brings the story to life with a detailed account of
what happened.
4. Presents events in a clear order.
My most embarrassing moment happened when I was
working in a Mexican restaurant. I was a hostess
working on a busy Friday night. As usual, I was
wearing a blouse and a long Mexican skirt. While I
was taking some menus to a table, one of the waiters
accidentally stepped on the hem of my skirt. I didn’t
even feel it fall off, and I walked through the whole
dining room in my slip! Almost every customer in the
restaurant saw me without my skirt on!
ONE NORTH CAROLINA MAN FOUND QUITE A SURPRISE L AST
YEAR WHILE FISHING IN THE CATAWBA RIVER: A PIRANHA .
JERRY MELTON, OF GASTONIA, REELED IN A ONE POUND, FOUR
OUNCE FISH WITH AN UNUSUAL BITE. MELTON COULD NOT
IDENTIFY IT, BUT A NEARBY FISHERMAN DID. MELTON AT FIRST
COULD NOT BELIEVE HE HAD CAUGHT A PIRANHA . HE SAID,
“THAT AIN’T NO PIRANHA . THEY AIN’T GOT PIRANHA AROUND
HERE.” MELTON WAS RIGHT: THE FISH IS NATIVE TO SOUTH
AMERICA, AND NORTH CAROLINA PROHIBITS OWNING THE FISH
AS A PET OR INTRODUCING THE SPECIES TO LOCAL WATERWAYS.
THE SHARP-TOOTHED, CARNIVOROUS FISH LIKELY FOUND ITSELF
IN THE CATAWBA RIVER WHEN ITS ILLEGAL OWNER RELEASED
THE FISH AFTER GROWING TIRED OF IT. WILDLIFE OFFICIALS
HOPE THAT THE PIRANHA WAS THE ONLY OF ITS KIND IN THE
RIVER, BUT LOCALS ARE THINKING TWICE BEFORE THEY WADE
IN THE WATER.
ONE NORTH CAROLINA MAN FOUND QUITE A SURPRISE L AST
YEAR WHILE FISHING IN THE CATAWBA RIVER: A PIRANHA .
JERRY MELTON, OF GASTONIA, REELED IN A ONE POUND, FOUR
OUNCE FISH WITH AN UNUSUAL BITE. MELTON COULD NOT
IDENTIFY IT, BUT A NEARBY FISHERMAN DID. MELTON AT FIRST
COULD NOT BELIEVE HE HAD CAUGHT A PIRANHA . HE SAID,
“THAT AIN’T NO PIRANHA . THEY AIN’T GOT PIRANHA AROUND
HERE.” MELTON WAS RIGHT: THE FISH IS NATIVE TO SOUTH
AMERICA, AND NORTH CAROLINA PROHIBITS OWNING THE FISH
AS A PET OR INTRODUCING THE SPECIES TO LOCAL WATERWAYS.
THE SHARP-TOOTHED, CARNIVOROUS FISH LIKELY FOUND ITSELF
IN THE CATAWBA RIVER WHEN ITS ILLEGAL OWNER RELEASED
THE FISH AFTER GROWING TIRED OF IT. WILDLIFE OFFICIALS
HOPE THAT THE PIRANHA WAS THE ONLY OF ITS KIND IN THE
RIVER, BUT LOCALS ARE THINKING TWICE BEFORE THEY WADE
IN THE WATER.
DESCRIPTION
Description creates a clear and
vivid impression of the topic.
Description translates your
experience of a person, place, or
thing into words, often by appealing
to the physical senses.
GOOD DESCRIPTION
1. Creates a main impression-an overall
effect, feeling, or image-about the topic.
2. Uses concrete, specific details to support
the main impression.
3. Uses details that appeal to the five
senses.
The subway is an assault on your senses. You walk down the
steep, smelly steps on the subway platform. On the far right
wall, a broken clock show that the time is four-thirty. You
wonder how long it has been broken. A mother and her crying
child are standing to your left. She is trying to clean dried
chocolate syrup off the young child’s face. Farther to the left,
two old men are arguing about the most recent tax increase.
You hear a little noise and see some paper trash roll by like a
soccer ball. The most interesting thing you see while you are
waiting for your subway train is a poster. It reads “Come to
Jamaica.” Deep blue skies, a lone palm tree, and sapphire
waters call you to this exotic faraway place.
The subway is an assault on your senses. You walk down the
steep, smelly steps on the subway platform. On the far right
wall, a broken clock show that the time is four-thirty. You
wonder how long it has been broken. A mother and her crying
child are standing to your left. She is trying to clean dried
chocolate syrup off the young child’s face. Farther to the left,
two old men are arguing about the most recent tax increase.
You hear a little noise and see some paper trash roll by like a
soccer ball. The most interesting thing you see while you are
waiting for your subway train is a poster. It reads “Come to
Jamaica.” Deep blue skies, a lone palm tree, and sapphire
waters call you to this exotic faraway place.
Piranha are omnivorous, freshwater fish,
which are mostly known for their single row
of sharp, triangular teeth in both jaws.
Piranhas’ teeth come together in a scissor-
like bite and are used for puncture and
tearing. Baby piranha are small, about the
size of a thumbnail, but full-grown piranha
grow up to about 6-10 inches, and some
individual fish up to 2 feet long have been
found. The many species of piranha vary in
color, though most are either silvery with an
orange underbelly and throat or almost
entirely black.
Piranha are omnivorous, freshwater fish,
which are mostly known for their single row
of sharp, triangular teeth in both jaws.
Piranhas’ teeth come together in a scissor-
like bite and are used for puncture and
tearing. Baby piranha are small, about the
size of a thumbnail, but full-grown piranha
grow up to about 6-10 inches, and some
individual fish up to 2 feet long have been
found. The many species of piranha vary in
color, though most are either silvery with an
orange underbelly and throat or almost
entirely black.
O'LENO IS A GOOD EXAMPLE OF A STATE PARK IN FLORIDA .
SURROUNDED BY THE TALL, SHADED WOODS OF A BEAUTIFUL
HARDWOOD FOREST, THE SANTA FE RIVER DISAPPEARS IN A LARGE,
SLOWLY SWIRLING, TREE-LINED POOL. AFTER APPEARING
INTERMITTENTLY IN SCATTERED SINKHOLES, THE RIVER RISES
THREE MILES DOWNSTREAM IN A BIG BOIL , THEN CONTINUES ON TO
MEET THE SUWANNEE AND THE SEA. NEARBY, STANDS OF CYPRESS
MIRROR THEMSELVES IN THE STILL WATERS, WALLS OF DENSE RIVER
SWAMP RISE BEFORE YOU, SUDDEN SINKHOLES OPEN IN THE
WOODLANDS-RICH WITH COOL FERNS AND MOSSES. FARTHER FROM
THE RIVER, EXPANSES OF LONGLEAF PINELANDS STRETCH ACROSS
ROLLING HILLS. IN THE MIDST OF THIS LOVELY SETTING, YOU FIND
65 CAMPSITES, 18 RUSTIC CABINS, AND A PAVILION FOR GROUP
MEETINGS. A DIVING PLATFORM MARKS A GOOD PL ACE TO SWIM IN
THE SOFT, COOL WATERS OF THE SANTA FE, AND CANOEING UP THIS
DARK RIVER IS LIKE TRAVELING BACKWARDS IN TIME IN THE
DIRECTION OF ORIGINAL FLORIDA .
DEFINITION
Explains what a term means. It uses denotation
(dictionary definition) or connotation (individual,
personalized meaning).
1. Tells readers what term is being defined.
2. Presents a clear and precise basic definition.
3. Uses examples to show what the writer means.
4. Uses words and examples that readers will
understand.
According to The American Heritage Dictionary, gossip is a “trivial rumor
of a personal nature,” but this definition makes gossip sound harmless.
At first, gossip might not seem so bad. One person tells a second person
something about someone, and that second person tells a third person,
and so on. The information passes from person to person. However,
gossip is much more than just information and rumor. As the rumor
continues, it grows and changes, People do not know all the facts, so
they add information. As the gossip goes from one person to another,
the damage continues, and the person who is the subject of the gossip
can’t do anything to answer or protect himself or herself. Because the
potential damage may range from hurt feelings to a lost career, gossip is
much worse than simply a “trivial rumor.”
According to The American Heritage Dictionary, gossip is a “trivial rumor
of a personal nature,” but this definition makes gossip sound harmless.
At first, gossip might not seem so bad. One person tells a second person
something about someone, and that second person tells a third person,
and so on. The information passes from person to person. However,
gossip is much more than just information and rumor. As the rumor
continues, it grows and changes; people do not know all the facts, so
they add information. As the gossip goes from one person to another,
the damage continues, and the person who is the subject of the gossip
can’t do anything to answer or protect himself or herself. Because the
potential damage may range from hurt feelings to a lost career, gossip is
much worse than simply a “trivial rumor.”
"PARK" IS DIFFICULT TO DEFINE IN FLORIDA,
BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY KINDS OF PARKS.
BASICALLY, A PARK IS A PLACE TO GO FOR OUTDOOR
RECREATION-TO SWIM, PICNIC, HIKE, CAMP, WALK
THE DOG, PLAY TENNIS, PADDLE YOUR CANOE, AND,
IN SOME PLACES TAKE RIDES IN MINIATURE TRAINS
OR SWISH DOWN A WATERSLIDE. FLORIDA HAS A
RICH VARIETY OF PARKS, RANGING FROM ACRES OF
RVS RINGED AROUND RECREATION HALLS, TO
IMPENETRABLE MANGROVE WILDERNESS. TO MAKE
THINGS MORE COMPLICATED, NOT ALL OF THEM ARE
CALLED "PARKS," AND EVEN THE ONES CALLED
"PARKS" COME IN SEVERAL VARIETIES.
"PARK" IS DIFFICULT TO DEFINE IN FLORIDA,
BECAUSE THERE ARE SO MANY KINDS OF PARKS.
BASICALLY, A PARK IS A PLACE TO GO FOR OUTDOOR
RECREATION-TO SWIM, PICNIC, HIKE, CAMP, WALK
THE DOG, PLAY TENNIS, PADDLE YOUR CANOE, AND,
IN SOME PLACES TAKE RIDES IN MINIATURE TRAINS
OR SWISH DOWN A WATERSLIDE. FLORIDA HAS A
RICH VARIETY OF PARKS, RANGING FROM ACRES OF
RVS RINGED AROUND RECREATION HALLS, TO
IMPENETRABLE MANGROVE WILDERNESS. TO MAKE
THINGS MORE COMPLICATED, NOT ALL OF THEM ARE
CALLED "PARKS," AND EVEN THE ONES CALLED
"PARKS" COME IN SEVERAL VARIETIES.
PROCESS ANALYSIS
Either explains how to do something (so
your readers can do it) or explains how
something works (so your readers can
understand it). They are usually written
using chronological transitions like first,
then, next, after that, and finally.
A GOOD PROCESS ANALYSIS
PARAGRAPH DOES THE FOLLOWING:

1. Presents essential steps in a

process.
2. Explains steps in detail.
3. Presents steps in a logical order.
Eating a juicy taco is not easy-it requires following specific
directions. First, you must be sure that you are wearing clothes that
you don’t mind getting dirty. Eating a taco while you are wearing
expensive clothing is not a smart idea. The next thing that you
should do is to decide if you want to eat the taco alone or in front
of others. Eating a taco in front of someone you don’t know very
well, such as a new date, can be embarrassing. The last step is to plan
your attack! It is a good idea to pick up the taco gently and carefully
keep it in a horizontal position. As you raise the taco, slowly turn
your head toward it and position your head at a twenty-degree
angle. The last step is to put the corner of the taco in your mouth
and bite. By following these simple directions, eating a taco can be a
Eating a juicy taco is not easy-it requires following specific
directions. First, you must be sure that you are wearing clothes that
you don’t mind getting dirty. Eating a taco while you are wearing
expensive clothing is not a smart idea. The next thing that you
should do is to decide if you want to eat the taco alone or in front
of others. Eating a taco in front of someone you don’t know very
well, such as a new date, can be embarrassing. The last step is to plan
your attack! It is a good idea to pick up the taco gently and carefully
keep it in a horizontal position. As you raise the taco, slowly turn
your head toward it and position your head at a twenty-degree
angle. The last step is to put the corner of the taco in your mouth
and bite. By following these simple directions, eating a taco can be a
YOU CAN SAFELY SWIM WITH PIRANHAS, BUT IT’S
IMPORTANT TO KNOW HOW AND WHEN TO DO IT. FIRST,
CHOSE AN APPROPRIATE TIME, PREFERABLY AT NIGHT AND
DURING THE RAINY SEASON. AVOID PIRANHA-INFESTED
WATERS DURING THE DRY SEASON, WHEN FOOD SUPPLIES
ARE LOW AND PIRANHAS ARE MORE DESPERATE. PIRANHAS
FEED DURING THE DAY, SO NIGHT-TIME SWIMMING IS MUCH
SAFER. SECOND, STREAMLINE YOUR MOVEMENT. WILD OR
ERRATIC ACTIVITY ATTRACTS THE ATTENTION OF PIRANHAS.
SWIM SLOWLY AND SMOOTHLY. FINALLY, NEVER ENTER THE
WATER WITH AN OPEN WOUND OR RAW MEAT. PIRANHAS
ATTACK LARGER ANIMALS ONLY WHEN THEY ARE WOUNDED.
THE PRESENCE OF BLOOD IN THE WATER MAY TEMPT THE
FISH TO ATTACK. IF YOU FOLLOW THESE SIMPLE
PRECAUTIONS, YOU WILL HAVE LITTLE TO FEAR.
CLASSIFICATION
Organizes, or sorts, people or items into categories. A
good classification paragraph:
1. Make sense of a group of people or items by
organizing them into categories.
2. Uses useful categories.
3. Uses a single organizing principle.
4. Gives examples of what fits into each category
Test questions generally fall into categories, depending on how they
are answered: objective and subjective. The first kind, objective
questions, have definite right and wrong answers. Multiple choice,
matching, and fill-in-the-blank questions are objective. Although they
can be tricky because of their wording, most students prefer
objective questions. The answers are already there, and the student
just has to choose the right one. Subjective test items, such as short-
answer and essay questions, have no single correct answer. There is a
range of possible responses. Students have to know the information
in order to answer each question, and they have to present it in their
own words. You can make a lucky guess on an objective question, but
a subjective question doesn’t offer much hope for a student relying
on dumb luck.
Test questions generally fall into categories, depending on how they
are answered: objective and subjective. The first kind, objective
questions, have definite right and wrong answers. Multiple choice,
matching, and fill-in-the-blank questions are objective. Although they
can be tricky because of their wording, most students prefer
objective questions. The answers are already there, and the student
just has to choose the right one. Subjective test items, such as short-
answer and essay questions, have no single correct answer. There is a
range of possible responses. Students have to know the information
in order to answer each question, and they have to present it in their
own words. You can make a lucky guess on an objective question, but
a subjective question doesn’t offer much hope for a student relying
on dumb luck.
PIRANHAS COMPRISE MORE THAN 30-60 SPECIES OF
FISH, DEPENDING ON WHOM YOU ASK. THE MANY
SPECIES FALL INTO FOUR GENERA: PYGOCENTRUS,
PYGOPRISTIS, SERRASALMUS, AND PRISTOBRYCON.
PIRANHA IN THE PYGOCENTRUS GENUS ARE THE MOST
COMMON VARIETY, THE KIND YOU MIGHT FIND IN A PET
STORE. PYGOPRISTIS PIRANHA ARE HERBIVORES,
FEASTING ON SEEDS AND FRUITS, NOT FLESH. IN
CONTRAST, FISH IN THE SERRASALMUS GENUS EAT ONLY
MEAT, AND THEIR TEETH ARE RAZOR-SHARP.
PRISTOBRYCON ARE THE LEAST FRIENDLY OF ALL
PIRANHAS; THEY OFTEN BITE THE FINS OF OTHER FISH,
EVEN FISH OF THE SAME SPECIES. THE LABEL PIRANHA,
PIRANHAS COMPRISE MORE THAN 30-60 SPECIES OF
FISH, DEPENDING ON WHOM YOU ASK. THE MANY
SPECIES FALL INTO FOUR GENERA: PYGOCENTRUS,
PYGOPRISTIS, SERRASALMUS, AND PRISTOBRYCON.
PIRANHA IN THE PYGOCENTRUS GENUS ARE THE MOST
COMMON VARIETY, THE KIND YOU MIGHT FIND IN A PET
STORE. PYGOPRISTIS PIRANHA ARE HERBIVORES,
FEASTING ON SEEDS AND FRUITS, NOT FLESH. IN
CONTRAST, FISH IN THE SERRASALMUS GENUS EAT ONLY
MEAT, AND THEIR TEETH ARE RAZOR-SHARP.
PRISTOBRYCON ARE THE LEAST FRIENDLY OF ALL
PIRANHAS; THEY OFTEN BITE THE FINS OF OTHER FISH,
EVEN FISH OF THE SAME SPECIES. THE LABEL PIRANHA,
CAUSE & EFFECT
Cause & effect paragraphs explain what made an
event happen and what occurred as a result.
Good ones do the following:
1. Clearly distinguish between cause and effect.
2. Give clear and detailed examples of causes
and/or effects.
Much to her surprise, lottery winner Sylvia Lee found that sudden wealth
was a mixed blessing – the results were both good and bad. After her win
was announced, she was constantly hounded by people who wanted to
sell her something. She got an unlisted phone number, but the more
aggressive salespeople just camped out on her doorstep. Another negative
result was that people started treating her differently. “I was shocked,”
said Lee. “Everyone from the checkout clerk at the supermarket where
I’ve shopped for years to my next-door neighbor acted as though I had
changed. I’m still the same; I’ve just got money now.” Lee admits, though,
that most of the changes have been positive. “It’s really a relief not
worrying about money all the time. I actually went on my first shopping
spree ever, and it was great.” Lee expects that other new and unexpected
results of her sudden wealth are yet to come, but she’s not discouraged:
so far, at least, the pluses far outweigh the minuses.
 COMPARE & CONTRAST
Compare & contrast paragraphs show similarities and differences
among people, ideas, situations, or items. They are used to explain
two subjects and help you decide between two options.
1. Uses subjects that have enough in common to be
compared/contrasted.
2. Serves a purpose- either to help readers make a decision or
understand subjects.
3. Presents several important, parallel points of
comparison/contrast.
4. Arranges points in a logical organization.
When they get lost while driving, women and men have very
different ways to find the right route. As soon as a woman thinks she
might be lost, she will pull into a store or gas station and ask for
directions. As she continues on, is she’s still not sure of the directions,
she will stop again and ask someone else for help. Until they know
they are on the right track, women will continue to ask for
directions. In contrast, men would rather turn around and go home
than stop and ask for directions. First, a man doesn’t readily admit he
is lost. When it is clear that he is, he will pull over and consult a map.
If he still find himself lost, he will again pull out that map. Either the
map will finally put the man on the right route, or – as a last resort –
he will reluctantly stop at a store or gas station and let his wife go in
and ask for directions. Many battles of the sexes have raged over
what to do when lost in the car.
FOREST AND RIVER DOMINATE O'LENO STATE PARK. BY
CONTRAST, LLOYD BEACH STATE RECREATION AREA, NEAR FORT
L AUDERDALE, IS DOMINATED BY THE OILY BODIES OF SUN-
WORSHIPPERS WHO CROWD INTO IT EVERY SUMMER WEEKEND.
WHERE O'LENO GIVES YOU SO MUCH QUIET YOU CAN HEAR THE
LEAVES WHISPERING, LLOYD BEACH IS A PL ACE OF BOISTEROUS
ACTIVITY. YOU CAN WALK A FEW YARDS IN O'LENO AND PASS
BEYOND EVERY SIGN OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION. WHEN YOU WALK
AT LLOYD BEACH, YOU HAVE TO BE CAREFUL TO STEP OVER THE
PICNIC BASKETS, UMBRELLAS, JAM BOXES, AND BROWNING
BODIES. AT NIGHT, O'LENO WRAPS ITSELF WITH THE SILENCE OF
CRICKETS AND OWLS. LLOYD BEACH IS BUSY WITH FISHERMEN
TILL WELL PAST MIDNIGHT. IF YOU WANT TO FISH NEAR TOWN,
OR DIVE INTO THE BUSY BUSTLE OF AN URBAN BEACH, LLOYD
BEACH IS THE PLACE TO GO. BUT IF YOU WANT TO STAND AT THE
EDGE OF CIVILIZATION AND LOOK ACROSS TIME INTO AN OLDER
NATURAL WORLD, O'LENO IS THE PARK TO VISIT.
 ARGUMENTATION
Argumentation takes a position on an issue and offers reasons
and supporting evidence to persuade someone else to accept or
at least consider the position. Good argumentation paragraphs:
1. Take a strong and definite position on an issue or advises a
particular action.
2. Give good reasons and supporting evidence to defend a
position or recommended action.
3. Consider opposing views.
4. Have enthusiasm and energy from start to finish.
School uniforms should be mandatory for all students for a
number of reasons. First, they make everyone equal. In this
way, the “rich” kids are on the same level as the poor ones.
In addition, getting ready for school can be much faster and
easier. Many kids waste time choosing what to wear to
school, and they are often unhappy with their final choices.
Most important, some studies show that school uniforms
make students perform better. Many people might say that
uniforms take away from personal freedom, but I believe
that the benefits are stronger than the drawbacks.
School uniforms should be mandatory for all students for a
number of reasons. First, they make everyone equal. In this
way, the “rich” kids are on the same level as the poor ones.
In addition, getting ready for school can be much faster and
easier. Many kids waste time choosing what to wear to
school, and they are often unhappy with their final choices.
Most important, some studies show that school uniforms
make students perform better. Many people might say that
uniforms take away from personal freedom, but I believe
that the benefits are stronger than the drawbacks.
 ACTIVITY 4
• Watch the video “ Men are from Mars and Women are from
Venus.
• While watching the video, write the main point and supporting
points on the table.
• After watching the video, construct a paragraph: Pen Pals –
Introductory paragraph; L – stars – a body paragraph (men); Jas
Tag – a body paragraph (women); Easyists – a possible
concluding paragraph.
• Write the paragraph on a manila paper. Post it on the board.
 ACTIVITY 4
• Watch the video “ Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus.
• While watching the video, write the main point and supporting
points on the table.
• After watching the video, construct a paragraph: The Five Meta-
force – Introductory paragraph; Shakespeare – body paragraph 1
(men); Dreamers – body paragraph 2 (men); Pandora – body
paragraph 3 (women); Descendants - body paragraph 4; Scribes – a
possible concluding paragraph.
• Write the paragraph on a manila paper. Post it on the board.
ACTIVITY 5
• Read the article “Graduating in Time”
• Examine the article and complete the given organizer.
• After completing the organizer, work with your
groupmates to come up with answer to the QUESTION.
• Write a paragraph based on your answer to the question.
Write the paragraph on a manila paper. Post it on the
board.