Accurate C.U.P.S. is necessary...

... for   communication of your ideas.

The Five-Paragraph Essay

Sometimes when we are asked to write essays, we look like this...

"I wonder what I'll be having for lunch today?"

Or this...

"Help....me...."

However, if we really knew the purpose for writing essays, we would always look like this...

and this...

...because essays are not torture devices invented by teachers; instead, when you have something to say and you are asked to write it, understand that:

"An  essay is an explanation, not just of what you think, but why you think it."

-       The what is usually given in the form of a writing prompt which will reveal the topic you will write on.

-       The why comprises of many types of support that you will use to develop your topic (the what).

Now....

If a paragraph is a juicy veggie burger...

Then a....

 Five-Paragraph Essay

must be a "tripple" whopper!!! (Yes, still veggie)

...and when you break the concept down, this is what you will need to do/have:

So do not be afraid anymore!

"...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." 

John 14:27

When it comes to essay writing (Expository/Persuasive)

remember ...

Please leave a question or comment below.

Reading Comprehension (Review)

How to Answer Reading Comprehensions

STEP I – Read the questions first and make sure you understand                     what they are asking.

STEP II – Analyse the passage to make sure you understand what it is saying. Use context clues:

STEP III – Make sure your answer frame is the correct format:

 ü      Short answer questions

1.      Complete sentences (continuous prose)

2.      Put in quotation marks (“ ”) OR paraphrase        (own words)

3.      DO NOT PLAGIARIZE YOUR ANSWER

 ü      Multiple Choice

1.   Use the process of elimination to:

· Cross out the two options that  have nothing to do with the       answer

·     Cross out the distractor

2.   Circle on your question sheet OR write on your answer sheet the correct letter (a, b, c or d) that represents the answer.

STEP IV – Skip a line between responses (they will look neater)

STEP V – PROOFREAD

    Compilation and notes done by: Mrs M. George

More about Paragraphs

Parts of a Paragraph

Topic Sentence Supporting Details Closing Sentence

How to Write a Paragraph

Prewriting Paragraphs Writing Paragraphs Editing Paragraphs Publishing Paragraphs

Kinds of Paragraphs

Definition Classification Description Compare and Contrast

Sequence Choice Explanation Evaluation

Topic Sentence

What is the topic sentence?
The topic sentence is the first sentence in a paragraph.

What does it do?
It introduces the main idea of the paragraph.

How do I write one?
Summarize the main idea of your paragraph. Indicate to the reader what your paragraph will be about.

Example:

There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

What are supporting sentences?
They come after the topic sentence, making up the body of a paragraph.

Supporting Details

What do they do?
They give details to develop and support the main idea of the paragraph.

How do I write them?
You should give supporting facts, details, and examples.

Example:

There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live.

Closing Sentence

What is the closing sentence?
The closing sentence is the last sentence in a paragraph.

What does it do?
It restates the main idea of your paragraph.

How do I write one?
Restate the main idea of the paragraph using different words.

Example:

There are three reasons why Canada is one of the best countries in the world. First, Canada has an excellent health care system. All Canadians have access to medical services at a reasonable price. Second, Canada has a high standard of education. Students are taught by well-trained teachers and are encouraged to continue studying at university. Finally, Canada's cities are clean and efficiently managed. Canadian cities have many parks and lots of space for people to live. As a result, Canada is a desirable place to live. 

courtesy of: http://www.testden.com/toefl/writing-tutorial/parts-of-a-paragraph.htm 

Introduction to English Writing Lesson

Types of Compositions

There are four (4) basic types of compositions (paragraphs and essays) written in academia and life:

TYPES	CHARACTERISTICS
1.  Narrative	§  Tells a story of a person who overcomes a problem.
2.  Descriptive	§  Describes a person, place, thing or event appealing mostly to the senses.
3.  Persuasive	§  Convinces readers with a strong argument to accept a held opinion.
4.  Expository	§  Informs readers through explanation.

Organisational Patterns

Organisational patterns in writing are used to arrange and develop ideas for compositions.

þ  We use these 4 to arrange the ideas in all 4 types of compositions:

Types	Definition	Examples
Chronological	Narration: order that presents events as they happen in time. Use wherever time and sequence are important,	Story, narrative poem, explanation of process, bibliography, history
Spatial	Description: order that describes objects according to location. Use when it’s necessary to describe physical reality and spatial relationships between persons, things or parts of things.	Descriptions (near to far, back to front, left to right, top to bottom)
Importance	Evaluation: order that gives details from least to most important or reverse.	Persuasion, description, evaluation
Logical/Expository	Classification: order that relates items and group	Definitions, etc.

þ  These 7 are an extension of the logical/expository order used to develop paragraphs for persuasive and expository compositions:

1.       Cause and effect

2.       Classification

3.       Definition

4.       Comparison  and contrast

5.       Process

6.       Illustration

7.       Problem-solution

Paragraph Review

What a PARAGRAPH?

A paragraph includes several sentences that support the single thought expressed in the topic sentence.

                           

What MAKES UP the Paragraph?

The paragraph is like a sandwich that has three distinct yet collaborating elements:

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

 What makes a paragraph a paragraph?

A paragraph is so classified because of 3 characteristics. Without them your writing would fail to be a sensible or acceptable paragraph.

Characteristic	Definition	Example
Unity	This means that only One idea is treated at a time. When unity is maintained, the reader is not distracted by irrelevant details.	If paragraph is about the sweetness of love, then a sentence about the pains of love will destroy unity.
Coherence	This is the logical and consistent arrangement of ideas which ensures that details flow seamlessly from one to the other.	Use synonyms and transitions to connect ideas
Adequate development	This means that sufficient details are provided about the main idea so that reader clearly understands what you are writing about.	Give sufficient details through elaborating sentences.