Paragraphs: Under Construction

GOAL:

To create a well-structured paragraph.

OBJECTIVES:

The student will be able to:

1. Describe guidelines for paragraph development.

2. Be familiar with the concepts of topic sentences, transitions, and a summary or closing statement.

3. Describe three ways to logically organize a paragraph.

ENERGY OBJECTIVES:

The student will be able to:

1. Describe ways the homeowner can save energy that requires no initial cost or investment.

LESSON INFORMATION:

Now that you have mastered the eight parts of speech, subject-verb agreement, and sentence building, you are ready to begin writing paragraphs.

A paragraph is several sentences centered around a related topic. The average paragraph is from 50 to 150 words. This usually includes a minimum of three well-developed sentences. Paragraph success is based on careful planning.

Before writing a paragraph, it is helpful to make a quick outline of the material to be covered. Remember the information in a paragraph should focus on one topic, or one aspect of the topic. If you were writing an essay about your family, for example, you would probably develop a separate paragraph for each family member.

While there is more than one correct way to construct a paragraph, the following guidelines should help you in paragraph planning and construction:

1. Choose a single topic that can be covered in approximately five to eight sentences.

2. Write a topic sentence that is a general statement about what the rest of the paragraph will say.

3. Choose an organizational plan for the paragraph. Chronological, spatial, and emphatic order are three possibilities.

4. Use transitions in your writing to lead the reader from one sentence to the next.

5. Include a summary or closing sentence.

ACTIVITY D-1:

Read the following possible topic sentences for a paragraph on energy conservation in the home. Identify each as one of the following: acceptable, too narrow, too broad.

__________1. Most people can save energy in the home by following five easy steps.

__________2. The water heater consumes about 20% of the energy used in most homes.

__________3. Our planet is running out of fossil fuels.

__________4. There are several ways to save energy in the home that require no initial investment by the homeowner.

__________5. Many people waste energy by setting their thermostat at 72.°.

Once you have chosen an acceptable topic and written a general topic sentence, focus on how your information will flow in the paragraph. It is best to try to choose an organizational plan. Three possible plans are presented below:

A. Chronological order:

This is used when time is a factor in your paragraph. If the paragraph is about your education, for example, you would begin in elementary school and proceed through college.

B. Spatial order:

This is used mostly in descriptive paragraphs. If the paragraph was about your home, for example, you might begin at the entrance to the home and describe each room in turn.

C. Emphatic order:

This is used when you are listing or describing and want to build up to your major point. Always go from least to most important. If the paragraph was about your feelings on environmental issues, for example, you would want to save your strongest argument for last.

ACTIVITY D-2:

Read the following list of topics. Which type of paragraph order would probably work best for each?

__________1. Comparison of last year's utility bills.

__________2. Why everyone has a part to play in energy conservation.

__________3. Floorplan of your new energy efficient kitchen.

__________4. Steps to take to decrease your family's dependence on the heating and cooling system.

__________5. Your appeal for a reduction in electricity rates.

Transitions are important within a paragraph. A transition is a word or phrase that helps tie a paragraph together. Some types of transitions include words that show the following:

a. Contrast: however, but, on the other hand

b. Similarity: also, another, next, likewise

c. Time or Place: after, later, nearby, here

d. Consequence or Example: therefore, for instance

e. Summation: in other words, in summary

ACTIVITY R-1:

Read this paragraph. Underline all transitions. Identify each transition as one of the five types from above. Note: Some transitions may not be listed in the examples above.

Approximately half of the home energy dollar is spent on heating and cooling the home; therefore, there are many ways to conserve energy in this area. First, the homeowner could turn the unit off on mild days. Another option would be to set the thermostat more conservatively, at 68° in the winter and 78° in the summer. Finally, the homeowner could reduce air infiltration in the home by stopping leakage around windows, doors, and other joints. To repeat, half of home energy is spent on heating and cooling the home. Thus, focusing conservation in this area could really affect the monthly utility bill.

ACTIVITY R-2:

Write a paragraph describing how you could reduce the energy used by large appliances in your home. Follow the following steps:

1. List the appliances you will discuss and what you want to say about each.

2. Write a topic sentence.

3. Which organizational plan will you use? Briefly outline your paragraph according to this plan.

4. Write a 5 to 8 sentence paragraph on reducing the energy consumption by appliances in your home.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Energy Conservation for Limited Income and Senior Citizens. SLEMCO, Lafayette, LA, n.d.

Your Lifestyle Can Make a Difference. SLEMCO, Lafayette, LA, n.d.

INFORMATION CHECK

1. What are some basic guidelines regarding the length of a paragraph?

2. List the steps in writing a paragraph.

3. What is a transition? Write a three sentence paragraph using transitions as an example. Circle all transitions.

4. Think about your family's habits regarding lighting, use of appliances, and air conditioning and heating. List 5 changes that your family can make that will help save energy.

TEACHER'S NOTES

Activity D-1:

1. acceptable

2. too narrow

3. too broad

4. acceptable

5. too narrow

Activity D-2:

1. chronological

2. emphatic

3. spatial

4. chronological

5. emphatic

Activity R-1:

Approximately half of the home energy dollar is spent on heating and cooling the home; THEREFORE (consequence), there are many ways to conserve energy in this area. FIRST (time or place), the homeowner could turn the unit off on mild days. ANOTHER (similarity) option would be to set the thermostat more conservatively, at 68° in the winter and 78° in the summer. FINALLY (time or place), the homeowner could reduce air infiltration in the home by stopping leakage around windows, doors, and other joints. TO REPEAT (summation), half of home energy is spent on heating and cooling the home. THUS (consequence) focusing conservation in this area could really affect the monthly utility bill.

Activity R-2:

Students paragraphs will vary. Check for a good general topic sentence, information that flows well throughout the paragraph, and a summation sentence. Also give good marks to organization, neatness, and proper length.

Answers to Information Check:

1. Most paragraphs are between 50 and 150 words. Three well-developed sentences is a minimum.

2. a. Choose a single topic that can be covered in approximately five to eight sentences.

b. Write a topic sentence that is a general statement about what the rest of the paragraph will say.

c. Choose an organizational plan for the paragraph. Chronological, spatial, and emphatic order are three possibilities.

d. Use transitions in your writing to lead the reader from one sentence to the next.

e. Include a summary or closing sentence.

3. A transition is a word or phrase that helps tie a paragraph together. Check students' short paragraphs for good use of transitions.

4. Students' answers will vary. Some may include:

- Turn off lights when leaving the room.

- Do not leave the T.V. or radio on all day.

- Only use the dishwasher or clothes dryer when full.

Comments or questions to: TechAsmt@LA.GOV

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