1. The paragraph as the key unit of academic writing.

Definition of a paragraph. The aim of paragraphing in academic writing. The ways and means to achieve the unity of thought in a paragraph.

A paragraph is a series of sentences unified by a controlling idea that discuss a single topic or one segment of a lager topic. Many students define paragraphs in terms of length: a paragraph is a group of at least five sentences, a paragraph is half a page long, etc. In reality though, the unity and coherence of ideas among sentences is what constitutes a paragraph.

Each paragraph must focus attention of one topic, or a single topic of one part of a large topic. All sentences of a paragraph should develop one main idea. A good paragraph reflects unity of thoughts, it makes a definite statement in the topic sentence and supports the statement with details, examples or other kinds of supporting materials.

Unity in the paragraph is essential for good writing. It calls for clear thinking and a definite plan of organization. To make sure your paragraphs are united you should begin each paragraph with a topic sentence that starts the controlling idea. All your major supporting statements should go directly back to the controlling idea. All minor supports should give additional explanation to the major statements and the controlling idea at the same time. Using the test word “because” (см. билет 2) properly you can achieve unity of the paragraph. If the topic sentence has a compound controlling idea you must develop each part according to the principles of unity.

5-step process to paragraph development:

Step 1. Decide on a controlling idea and create a topic sentence

Step 2. Explain the controlling idea

Step 3. Give a food for thought

Step 4. Explain this food )

Step 5. Complete the paragraph's idea or transition into the next paragraph

2. The structural components of a paragraph.

A topic sentence, its purpose. An expression of limited subject matter. The controlling idea. A topic sentence with a compound controlling idea. The body of the paragraph. “Because” as a test word of a paragraph unity. Major and minor supporting statements.

The topic sentence states the main idea of the paragraph. It includes the topic and controlling (central) idea, which gives a focus to the topic and informs the reader about the organization of the paragraph. To get or achieve unity in a paragraph you should decide on the point your topic sentence will make and you should word it as an expression of the limited subject matter you will discuss in the paragraph. The topic sentence is the kind of your commitment (обязательство) to the reader. Your task – to fulfill this commitment by using details, reasons, illustrations, examples. In choosing your supporting materials it is sometimes helpful to put down a short outline (схему).

The sentences of a paragraph might all relate to the topic, but still fail to achieve unity if one sentence does not properly relate to the controlling idea. Every topic sentence has two parts: a topic and a controlling idea. The topic is usually the subject of the sentence, while the controlling idea is the predicate of the sentence. For example, in the topic sentence "deceptive advertising can cost consumers both their money and their time," deceptive advertising is the topic and can cost consumers both their money and their time is the controlling idea. A controlling idea limits the topic by concentrating on a single aspect of it. Some topics are so broad that a writer must concentrate her energies on relating her paragraph's sentences to the controlling idea of the topic sentence. Otherwise, if a writer strays from the controlling idea into the general domain of the topic, she risks losing paragraph unity.

The controlling idea of the paragraph may be expressed by a single word, by a phrase or a clause (придаточное предложение).

A topic sentence may have a compound controlling idea that is the central thought of the paragraph may have 2 or more parts each of which must be developed. Topic sentences may require more than a single paragraph for full development. Perhaps a paragraph for each part of the controlling idea in some cases a single paragraph will do. Unity in the paragraph is essential for good writing. It calls for clear thinking and a definite plan of organization. . In the topic sentence with a compound controlling idea to achieve unity you must develop each part according to the principles of unity.

The body of the paragraph – is the central part of the paragraph which supports or develops the main idea of the topic sentence (см. билет 17).

Each sentence of the paragraph should be read as a “because statement” in support of the controlling idea. “Because” is the test word. It should help you to fix your attention on specific areas of the topic sentence. You may also use for instance specifically namely all the words are a kind of a test for paragraph unity.

Major support statements – direct and definite statements which describe the controlling idea in the topic sentence.

In paragraphs describing complex matters major support sentences may need one or more additional sentences to clarify the meaning. A sentence containing facts, examples or other evidence that clarifies or explains the meaning of a major supporting sentence is called the minor supporting sentence.

A unified series of statements requires clear thinking and checking an each step in the developing of the thought. When you prepared to write a paragraph you must decide if the development of the center thought requires only a series of major statement or weather if it require minor supporting material as well. Every major supporting statement in the paragraph should be a direct and definite explanation of the controlling idea started in the topic sentence. Every minor supporting statement should explain its major statement in terms of the controlling idea.