Ch. 7 Paragraphs

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CH.7 paragraphs

- Most important unit of thought

- Has its own main idea; often stated directly in a topic sentence

- Good = unified, avoids digressions[1] & develops main idea

- Use rhetorical strategies:

o Classification (group/rank/sorts/systematization)

o Comparison (Analogy/likeness/similarity/correlation/parallel/parity)

o Contrast (difference/divergence/dissimilarity/disparity/distinction/opposition/ polarity)

o Cause & effect (the operation or relation of a cause and its effect; noting a relationship between actions or events such that one or more are the result of the other(s); chain of circumstances; ripples in a pond/domino effect/causal nexus

- Are unified, coherent and adequately developed

o Unified – every idea and sentence relate to main idea

o Coherent – sentences are arranged logically and the relationships among them are made clear by the use of effective transitions

o Adequately developed – presents a short but persuasive argument supporting its main idea

§ If stating a point that every agrees on, a single sentence should be enough to make the point

§ Something that is not universally agreed upon, needs many more sentences and paragraphs to develop that idea convincingly

- Transitional word & phrases:

o Once, Within the day, a few years ago, then

o These lend/gives the paragraphs coherence

- Length = long enough to develop the main idea adequately

o Maybe 50-250 words….no set limits

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“We are a nation of substance abusers – drinkers, smokers, overeaters and pill poppers.”

-Alfred Rosa and Paul Eschholz (models: p.173)

[1] Deviate, get off subject, drifts