Academic Writing Assignment - Revision

Academic Writing 2018
I. What is a paragraph
As English Department students, we should learn the four integrated skills,
one of them is writing. To write a good composition, we always concern with
developing paragraph. But, do you know what is paragraph itself?
According to Merriam Webster dictionary, the definition of paragraph is a
subdivision of a written composition that consists of one or more sentences,
deals with one point or gives the words of one speaker, and begins on a new
usually indented line.
paragraph
noun
par·a·graph | \ ˈper-ə-ˌgraf , ˈpa-rə- \
Definition of Paragraph
(Entry 1 of 2)
1a: a subdivision of a written composition that consists of one or more sentences, deals with one
point or gives the words of one speaker, and begins on a new usually indented line.The
introductory paragraphs were written by the editor.
b: a short composition or note that is complete in one paragraph
2: a character (such as ¶) used to indicate the beginning of a paragraph and as a reference mark
A paragraph is a group of related sentences that discuss one (and usually one)
main idea. A paragraph can be a short as one sentence or as long as ten sentences
(Alice Oshima, 2). So, from that statement we can assume that a paragraph based
on its length. A paragraph should consist of several sentences.
If we write several sentences, it doesn’t mean we make a paragraph if our
writing doesn’t support each other.
For example:
“My favorite color is blue. I'm calm and relaxed. In the summer I lie on the grass
and look up the sky.”
The sentences above don’t support each other. So, we can’t say it as a
paragraph. George E. Winshon said in his book, “a paragraph is usually a series of
sentences that develops one topic.”(George E. Winshon, 369).
So, a development of an idea is called as a paragraph. Let’s compare the example
above to the following example.
"My favorite color is blue. I like it because it is calming and it relaxes me. I often
go outside in the summer and lie on the grass and look into the clear sky when I
am stressed. For this reason, I'd have to say my favorite color is blue."
The paragraph above is a development of an idea about “My favorite color is
blue”. And the following sentences explain very well how it becomes the author
favorite color. The connectivity and relation in the paragraph is called as cohesion
and coherence.
In a short way, a paragraph is a series of sentences that organized to form a
meaningfully writing.
II. What is the nature of paragraph
After we talked about the definition of paragraph, let’s take a look on the
nature of paragraph itself. As we know that a paragraph is series of sentences that
develop one topic. Those sentences have their own characteristic in order to make
a good paragraph.
1. A Topic sentence- a topic sentence is a sentence that summarizes the main idea of
a paragraph. And it motivates the reader to read more. The topic sentence mostly
at the first sentence in a paragraph.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes, which are also called cyclones, exert tremendous power . These
violent storms are often a hundred miles in diameter, and their winds can reach
velocities of seventy- five miles per hour or more. Furthermore, the strong winds
and heavy rainfall that accompany them can completely destroy a small town in a
couple of hours. The energy that is released by hurricane in one day exceeds the
total energy consumed by humankind throughout the world in one year.
This is the example of topic sentence in the last sentence.
Medical Miracles to Come
By the year 2009, a vaccine against the common cold will have been developed.
By the same year, the first human will have been successfully cloned. By the year
2014, parents will be able to create designer children. Genetic therapy will be able
to manipulate genes for abilities, intelligence, and hair, eye, and skin color. By
2020, most disease will be able to be diagnosed and treated at home, and by 2030,
cancer and heart disease will have been wiped out. These are just a few
examples of medical miracles that are expected in the next few decades.
2. Supporting sentences- the development of main idea presented in the topic
sentence. The development may come in different form of examples, reasons,
description, facts, statistic, details, and quotation.

Hurricanes
Hurricanes, which are also called cyclones, exert tremendous power. These
violent storms are often a hundred miles in diameter, and their winds can
reach velocities of seventy- five miles per hour or more. Furthermore, the
strong winds and heavy rainfall that accompany them can completely destroy
a small town in a couple of hours. The energy that is released by hurricane in
one day exceeds the total energy consumed by humankind throughout the
world in one year.
3. The Conclusion- the whole main points or ideas and it usually completes the
topic. The conclusion has a significant influence in reader’s experience of the text.
It acts like a bridge that transports the author analysis to the readers.
Not all paragraphs need concluding sentences. Long and detailed paragraphs are
most likely to need concluding sentences.
Gold
Gold, a precious metal, is prized for three important reasons. First of all, gold has
a lustrous beauty that makes it suitable for jewellery and ornamental purposes.
Secondly, it is resistant to corrosion. For example, an ancient Roman coin
remains as untarnished today as the day it was minted two thousand years ago.
Furthermore, for many years gold has been used in hundreds of industrial
applications. Its most recent use has been in astronauts’ suits. Astronauts wear
gold plated heat shielding for protection outside the space ship. In conclusion,
gold is not only treasured for its durability and beauty, but also for its utility.
So just to recap, normally a paragraph starts out with a topic sentence or idea. The
topic sentence is followed by the first, second, or third supporting sentences and
then details are added in between each point in order to explain the idea fully.
Once one idea or concept has been described the paragraph is brought to a
conclusion by usually summing up the main points or making a transition into the
next paragraph.
REFERENCES
Lunsford, Andrea and Robert Collins. The St. Martin’s Handbook, Annotated

Instructor’s Edition. 5th Ed. New York: St. Martin’s, 2003.
Oshima, Alice and Ann Hogue. Writing Academic English. Fourth Edition.
London: The Longman. 1998.
Rosen, Leonard and Laurence Behrens. The Allyn and Bacon Handbook,
Annotated Instructor’s Edition. 4th Ed. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000.
Winshon, George E and Julia M. Burks. Let’s Write English. Revised Edition.
New York: Litton Educational Publishing Inc, 1980.

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Academic Writing 2018

As English Department students, we should learn the four integrated skills,

one of them is writing. To write a good composition, we always concern with

developing paragraph. But, do you know what is paragraph itself?

According to Merriam Webster dictionary, the definition of paragraph is a

subdivision of a written composition that consists of one or more sentences,

usually indented line.

on its length. A paragraph should consist of several sentences.

If we write several sentences, it doesn’t mean we make a paragraph if our

writing doesn’t support each other.

and look up the sky.”

paragraph. George E. Winshon said in his book, “a paragraph is usually a series of

sentences that develops one topic.”(George E. Winshon, 369).

So, a development of an idea is called as a paragraph. Let’s compare the example

above to the following example.

am stressed. For this reason, I'd have to say my favorite color is blue."

The paragraph above is a development of an idea about “My favorite color is

In a short way, a paragraph is a series of sentences that organized to form a

II. What is the nature of paragraph

nature of paragraph itself. As we know that a paragraph is series of sentences that

at the first sentence in a paragraph.

total energy consumed by humankind throughout the world in one year.

This is the example of topic sentence in the last sentence.

Medical Miracles to Come

2. Supporting sentences- the development of main idea presented in the topic

sentence. The development may come in different form of examples, reasons,

description, facts, statistic, details, and quotation.

a small town in a couple of hours. The energy that is released by hurricane in

world in one year.

most likely to need concluding sentences.

Secondly, it is resistant to corrosion. For example, an ancient Roman coin

Lunsford, Andrea and Robert Collins. The St. Martin’s Handbook, Annotated

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