Philosophy

• A paragraph is a collection of related sentences with one central idea, consisting of a topic sentence, supporting details, and a conclusion
• The topic sentence contains the main idea, supporting details give life to the paragraph by elaborating on the topic sentence, and the conclusion can be a restatement of the topic sentence, a summary, or a conclusion based on the supporting details
• Narration gives a written account of an event or story, telling the sequence of events in chronological order and usually including the who, what, and when
• Elements of narration include setting (time and location), characters, plot (logical series of events), point of view (first, second, or third person), and the five essential parts of the plot: exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement
• Description gives information about a person, object, place, or situation, appealing to the reader's senses with concrete and specific details chosen by the writer
• Objective description is factual, relying on physical aspects, while subjective description appeals to emotions, often described artistically from the writer's perspective
• A paragraph is a collection of related sentences with one central idea, consisting of a topic sentence, supporting details, and a conclusion
• The topic sentence contains the main idea, supporting details give the paragraph life by elaborating on the topic, and the conclusion can be a restatement of the topic sentence, a summary, or a conclusion based on the supporting details
• Narration gives a written account of an event or story, told in chronological order, including elements like setting, characters, plot (with exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and denouement), and point of view (first person, second person, third person)
• Description gives information about a person, object, place, or situation, appealing to the reader's senses with concrete and specific details chosen by the writer
• Objective description is factual, relying on physical aspects, while subjective description appeals to emotions, often described artistically from the writer's perspective
• Definition explains a concept, term, or subject, consisting of the term to be defined, the general class it belongs to, and the characteristics that differentiate it from other members of its class
• An owl is a bird with a large head, strong talons, and a nocturnal habit - an example of a definition
• Different types of definitions:

  • Formal Definition: provided in dictionaries
  • Informal Definition: operational definitions, synonyms, and connotations
  • Operational Definitions: gives the meaning of an abstract word for one particular time and place
  • Synonyms: words that mean the same as another word
  • Denotation: the exact meaning of a word
  • Connotation: an idea or meaning associated with a word or things
• Definition Paragraph:

  • A definition sentence extended into a paragraph by adding meanings, descriptions, narrations, and other paragraph development to clarify the term being defined
• Classification paragraphs group items into categories to establish a clear distinction, using terms like aspects, kinds, qualities, traits, areas, levels, systems, and types
• Transitional Expressions for Classification:

  • Can be divided
  • Can be categorized
  • Can be classified
  • The first type
• Types of Friends can be classified based on honesty, loyalty, fitting into schedules, or being there when needed
• Comparison and Contrast paragraphs tell how subjects are different, with two methods of writing:

  • Subject by Subject Method: present all facts about one topic, then all facts about the other
  • Point by Point Arrangement: discuss each point for both subjects before moving to the next
• Connotation


  An idea or meaning suggested by or associated with a word or things
• Informal Definitions

  • Operational Definitions
  • Synonyms
  • Denotation
  • Connotation
• Owl


  • An owl is a bird with a large head, strong talons, and has a nocturnal habit. Owl - is the term to be defined Bird - is the class where the owl belongs with a large head, strong talons, and has a nocturnal habit - are the characteristics that distinguish the owl from the other birds
• Operational Definitions


  Gives the meaning of an abstract word for one particular time and place
• Synonyms


  The same as another word
• Classification


  Paragraphs group items into categories to establish a clear distinction. If the topic encompasses a large body of information, one effective way of elaborating it is through classifying things of distinct features into groups/classes
• Types of Friends

  • Friends can be classified according to their honesty, loyalty, the type that fits you into their schedule, or the type that finds time for you when they need something. An honest friend tells you the truth even if it’s not always what you want to hear. In the long run, that hones
• Definition

  Explains a concept, term, or subject. Its main purpose is to tell what something is. It consists of three parts: (1) the term, concept, or subject to be defined; (2) the general class to which it belongs; and (3) the characteristics that differentiate it from the other members of its class
• Classification


  Groups items into categories to establish a clear distinction between related or similar ideas. Similar items are grouped into categories for the readers to better understand and analyze the material at hand
• Terms that signal classification

  • Aspects
  • Kinds
  • Qualities
  • Traits
  • Areas
  • Levels
  • Systems
  • Types
• Types of definitions

  • Formal Definition
  • Informal Definition
  • Operational Definitions
  • Synonyms
  • Denotation
  • Connotation
  • Definition Paragraph
• Transitional Expressions for Classification

  • Can be divided
  • Can be categorized
  • Can be classified
  • The first type
• Definition


  Explains what a term means. When you want your readers to know exactly how you are using a certain term or an unfamiliar concept, you use definition. Definition is the main constituent of any dictionary. In developing a paragraph by definition, you should take account of these things: (a) the term to be defined (b) the class to which the term belongs (c) the characteristics that distinguish the term from the other members of its class
• Denotation


  The exact meaning of the word
• Ways to write a comparison and contrast paragraph

  • Subject by - subject method
  • Point by - point arrangement
• AmyNeil, 2005
• Reading & Thinking Strategies: Comparison and contrast

  • Tells how things are different
  • Balanced with equal information for each subject to avoid bias
• Loyal friend

  • There for you through thick and thin
  • Sensitive to your feelings
  • Respects you and other people in your life
  • Never lets you down in hard times
• Comprehension Questions

  • What are the three types of friends?
  • What basis is used by the author to classify friends?
  • How does the author develop the classification essay?
• Effect


  Is what results from a particular situation, activity, or behavior
• A paragraph developed by causal analysis must not only raise the question why, but also give answers to the satisfaction of the reader