PARAGRAPH S

WHAT IS A PARAGRAPH? A paragraph usually contains a general idea in one sentence, and 4 - 5 supporting sentences which expand this idea by giving explanation, details and/or examples to support the main idea. Length can vary.   WHY USE PARAGRAPHS?Paragraphs are used to separate main ideas. A new paragraph signals to the reader that a new idea is about to be discussed. The break between paragraphs gives the reader time to take in each idea. 

Un párrafo es un conjunto de oraciones con un solo tema central o idea principal.

Formalmente, un párrafo comienza con una sangría -espacio en blanco, que aleja la primera letra del margen de la página-, y termina con un punto aparte.  Cada párrafo debe contener un tema central. • el tema central se debe expresar en una de las oraciones

(generalmente al inicio del párrafo),• las demás sirven de apoyo, o la idea principal puede no expresarse

claramente y es preciso inferirla de todas las oraciones que conforman el párrafo.

 

EL PÁRRAFO

PARAGRAPH S

HOW IS A PARAGRAPH STRUCTURED?

There is no one correct structure. However, a useful structure is:

  1. Topic SentenceThis is the first sentence and it expresses the main idea. Sometimes Topic sentences can appear at several points in a paragraph: the beginning of the paragraph the middle of the paragraph the end of the paragraph

PARAGRAPH S

2. Supporting Sentences: details that expand your main idea.

  3. Concluding Sentence: a rounding off, possibly

by summarizing what has been said or drawing a logical conclusion from it. (Note that in a piece of writing which is longer than one paragraph you should leave your conclusion to the very end!)

Las oraciones, que componen el párrafo, pueden estar separadas por medio de la puntuación correspondiente o estar conectadas a través de nexos como las conjunciones o locuciones, que ayudan a comprender la relación que existe entre las distintas ideas. En este sentido hay que ser cuidadoso en emplear el conector o nexo que corresponde.  

EL PÁRRAFO

• Copulativas: y (e), ni

• Disyuntivas : o (u)

• Adversativas: mas, pero, sino, sino que, sin embargo, no obstante

• Distributivas: ya... ya, bien... bien, ora... sea que...

• Comparativas: que, como, igual... que, tal... como, tanto... como, más...que, menos... que...

• Completivas: que, si

.  

LOCUCIONES

 

LOCUCIONES

• Temporales: cuando, mientras, apenas, en cuanto, antes de que

• Causales: pues, como, porque, ya que, puesto que

• Finales: para, a que, para que, a fin de que

• Condicionales: si, con tal que

• Concesivas: aunque, a pesar de que, si bien, por más que

• Consecutivas así, luego, tanto que, conque, tan... que, tanto... que

 Ejemplo: "El ministro no hizo declaraciones, por lo cual no pudimos conocer su opinión".

Para conectar "El ministro no hizo declaraciones" y "no pudimos conocer su opinión", se utilizó el nexo "por lo cual".

También podría haberse utilizado "por esto" o "por lo tanto", pero no sería correcto, por ejemplo, utilizar "sin embargo" o "toda vez que", por nombrar algunos 

EL PÁRRAFO

There are three reasons why I want to learn

English. One reason is that English has become

an international language. It is now used by

most international companies, including the

company where I work, for business

communication. Another reason why I want to

learn English is so that I can travel to English-

speaking countries. The United States, England,

Australia and many other countries all use

English as their primary language. Finally, I

want to learn English because I plan to move to

the U.S. in the future. I will become a manager

for my company soon. For all these reasons, I

am very excited about learning English.

Read the next paragraph:

Now observe how it is divided by the basic structures: (they are written in bold letters)Topic Sentence: There are three reasons why I want to learn English. First Main Point (supporting sentence #1): There are three reasons why I want to learn English. One reason is that English has become an international language. 

Second Main Point (supporting sentence #2): There are three reasons why I want to learn English. One reason is that English has become an international language. It is now used by most international companies, including the company where I work, for business communication. Another reason why I want to learn English is so that I can travel to English-speaking countries.

Third Main Point (supporting sentence #3): There are three reasons why I want to learn English. One reason is that English has become an international language. It is now used by most international companies, including the company where I work, for business communication. Another reason why I want to learn English is so that I can travel to English-speaking countries. The United States, England, Australia and many other countries all use English as their primary language. Finally, I want to learn English because I plan to move to the U.S. in the future.

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 Conclusion (concluding sentence):

There are three reasons why I want to learn English. One reason is that English has become an international language. It is now used by most international companies, including the company where I work, for business communication. Another reason why I want to learn English is so that I can travel to English-speaking countries. The United States, England, Australia and many other countries all use English as their primary language. Finally, I want to learn English because I plan to move to the U.S. in the future. I will become a manager for my company soon. For all these reasons, I am very excited about learning English.reason is that English has become an international language. 

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Example: New York City New York City is in the United States.New York City is located in New York State.It borders on the Atlantic Ocean.It was founded in 1625 as "New Amsterdam".It was first settled by the Dutch.It is important for commerce.Wall Street is located in New York City.It has many national and international banks.It has many important skyscrapers.The World Trade Center is located in New York City.The Empire State Building is in New York City.New York City is an important city for immigration.Ellis Island used to be the entry point for many immigrants at the turn of the century.There is an interesting immigration museum on Ellis Island.

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New York, New York is located on the Atlantic Coast of the United States of America. It was first settled as "New Amsterdam" in 1625 by the Dutch. Today, New York City is an important commercial and banking center which includes Wall Street. Among its many important skyscrapers are the World Trade Center and The Empire State Building. One of the most interesting museums is on Ellis Island which served as the entry point for many immigrants who passed through New York City.  . 

PARAGRAPH S

THE 12 POWERFUL WORDS Suggestion Analyze Infer Evaluate Formulate Describe Support Explain Summarize Compare Contrast Predict

Topic Sentence:

ExampleTo be fit and healthy in today’s world, exercise, eat a healthy diet, and make these things a part of your daily routine. . 

PARAGRAPH S

DO NOT USE CONTRACTIONS

TOO INFORMAL(Do not use)

ACCEPTABLE

don't do not

doesn't does not

aren't are not

weren't were not

can't cannot

couldn't could not

won't will not

PUNCTUATION MARKS

To show addition: again, and, also, besides, equally important, first (second, etc.), further, furthermore, in addition, in the first place, moreover, next, too

To give examples: for example, for instance, in fact, specifically, that is, to illustrate To compare: also, in the same manner, likewise, similarly

To contrast: although, and yet, at the same time, but, despite, even though, however, in contrast, in spite of, nevertheless, on the contrary, on the other hand, still, though, yet To summarize or conclude: all in all, in conclusion, in other words, in short, in summary, on the whole, that is, therefore, to sum up

SOME USEFUL TRANSITIONS

To show time: after, afterward, as, as long as, as soon as, at last, before, during, earlier, finally, formerly, immediately, later, meanwhile, next, since, shortly, subsequently, then, thereafter, until, when, while

To show place or direction: above, below, beyond, close, elsewhere, farther on, here, nearby, opposite, to the left (north, etc.)

To indicate logical relationship: accordingly, as a result, because, consequently, for this reason, hence, if, otherwise, since, so, then, therefore, thus

SOME USEFUL TRANSITIONS