Post 2

Writing Well

Do you think you are a good writer?
Are you satisfied with your writing ability?

The ability to write well is very important to all of us. Writing is a complex task. Good writing is the result of frequent practice and hard work. We are not born with the ability to write well. We have learned to write well. If you're willing to work hard, you can improve your writing. Writing frequently will make you a better writer. When your writing skills improve, you will become more confidence and enjoy writing more than you did before.

We will begin our writing practice with writing a paragraph.

First let us look at the structure of a paragraph.

What is a paragraph?

A paragraph is a group of about 6-12 sentences expressing one main idea. It can give information, tell an opinion, explain something, or even tell a short story. Every sentence in a good paragraph is about the same topic. All of the sentences are arranged logically to explain the writer’s main idea about that topic so the reader can easily understand what the writer wants to say.

When the writer wants to write about a new main idea, he/she begins a new paragraph.

Structure of a paragraph

In academic writing, a paragraph is usually built up by three types of sentences.

·        Topic sentence

·        Supporting sentences

·        Concluding sentence (not all paragraphs have it)

The first type is called the topic sentence, which directly tells the reader what the paragraph is about (topic) and the controlling main idea. It is usually (but not always) placed in the beginning of the paragraph.

Examples of topic sentence:

1. Kuala Lumpur has several fascinating attractions.

      Topic                                      controlling idea

2. The increase in crimes is due to several major factors.

         Topic                                                 controlling idea

The second type is called supporting sentences. They give more information about the topic. They add specific details and explanations. If the supporting sentences directly explain the topic, they are called major supporting sentences. If they explain the topic indirectly by supporting a major supporting sentence, they are called supporting details or minor supporting sentence.

 Supporting details can be:

ú  Examples

ú  Statistics

ú  Quotations

Examples of supporting sentence:

1.     The Petronas Twin Towers are one of them. (major supporting sentence) It is the highest twin towers in the world. (supporting detail – statistics)

2.    The first factor is urbanization. (Major supporting sentence) The influx of people from the rural areas to cities has great increased the city population. (Supporting detail – example) 

The third type is called concluding sentence. In addition to the topic and supporting sentences, some paragraph may also have a concluding sentence (the last sentence). It restates the main idea in a different way from the topic sentence or presents a final comment about the topic.

Examples of concluding sentence:

1.     Kuala Lumpur has become a must visit city because of its many interesting sites. (Restating the topic sentence)

2.    There are many factors accounting for the increase in crimes, the three factors mentioned above are the major ones. (Restating the topic sentence)

3.    By implementing measures that can tackle the problems mentioned, the government would be able to control the increase in crimes, especially in the cities. (Comment)

Source: http://www.google.com.my/imgres?imgurl=http://www.mrhaynes.net/powerpoint/Writing%2B-%2BCheeseburger%2BParagraph%2BModel%2BPowerpoint.ppt.19.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.mrhaynes.net/writinghelp.html&h=263&w=350&sz=23&tbnid=eK8uoIpR6xQ2SM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=122&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dparagraph%2Bwriting%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=paragraph+writing&usg=__akrODra_26oUfenzXQTqiKsHsaQ=&docid=P3gNrRtHgcypXM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=m1eMUdDXC8nmrAeExoHQDg&sqi=2&ved=0CEwQ9QEwBg&dur=344

More example:

 Let us look at the following example of a paragraph with seven sentences.

(1) Butterflies are one of the most beautiful and interesting creatures on earth. (2) They have wings of varying shapes and sizes, and some even appear to have "eyes" on them! (3) The largest-known wing span is at four inches, and the smallest measured from wing tip to tip at one-half inch. (4) Their attractive, brilliant colors catch interest immediately. (5) Some butterflies are cleverly camouflaged with colors that help them in blending with the plant life in their environments. (6) The delicate physical structure of the butterfly (along with hair-like legs and antennae) adds to its gentle beauty. (7) Without these glorious, beautiful butterflies zipping about in the world, our world would indeed be much more dull and boring.

Adapted from https://wikis.engrade.com/para1/para2

Explanation:

·        Sentence 1 is the topic sentence stating the main idea.

·        Sentences 2, 4, 5, and 6 are major supporting sentences. They directly explain the topic sentence.

·        Sentences 3 supports sentence 2.

·        Therefore, sentences 3, is supporting details.

·        Sentence 7 is the concluding sentence. It restates the main idea.

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Assigned Task 

Do all the exercises below.
Write the answers in your personal blog.

Exercise 1

Identify the topic sentence, supporting sentences and concluding sentences of the following paragraphs. Use the examples given above to guide you.

 Paragraph 1

(1)I live in a house in Izmit. (2)It isn't old or modern; (3)it is a normal Turkish house. (4)It is near the sea. (5) It takes about ten minutes to go to the seaside. (6) In the house, there are two bedrooms, one living room and two other rooms that we use as dining rooms. (7) Naturally, we have a kitchen, a bathroom, a toilet, and a little garden. (8) My parents spend their time growing vegetables and fruit there. (9) My house is not perfect but it is the best place for me.

Paragraph 2

(1) A good friend is a person who doesn't tell me lies, who helps me and let me help him, and whom I can talk to anytime. (2) I always try not to tell lies because I hate lies and I want that from my friends, too. (3) I think it is the most important behavior. (4) I can believe everything my friends say. (5) In addition, a good friend shouldn't talk about me with other people, especially about bad thing. (6) He doesn't have to talk about it because it might be wrong. (7) Secondly, a good friend must help me. He must try his best. (8) He should ask help from me too. (9) If we solve problems together, our friendship will be better and will become stronger. (10) Thirdly, I should be able to talk my friends whenever I want even just to talk about my problems. (11) And we must be happy to talk things over. (12) In conclusion, we and our friends should like the same things so that we can remind good friends.

Adapted from: http://www.buowl.boun.edu.tr/students/Paragraph%20Writing%20Exercises.htm

Exercise 2

Rearrange the following jumbled-up sentences to form a logical paragraph. Label the topic sentence, major supporting sentences, and the concluding sentence.

1.     When the unrealistic expectations are not realised, the people involved feel let down, hurt and blame each other.

2.     Firstly, the common reason for the failure in personal relationships is the unrealistic expectations.

3.     There are various reasons why personal relationships fail.

4.     Empathy means being able to understand how a person feels in a particular situation.

5.     The second reason is lack of empathy.

6.     To have little understanding of the other person is a sure way to destroy a relationship.

7.     The demands by the insecure person may be too much for the other persons to bear and that person may leave the relationship.

8.     Finally, when one or both partners are insecure, they feel the need to rely on the other person.

Source: English for Coeducation II, Longman.

Have fun doing the exercises!

Note: You can check your answers with that given in the next post in the class blog.