Level 3. Writing.

PARAGRAPH STRUCTURE REVIEW

A paragraph is a group of sentences about one topic. There is variation in paragraph structure. However, many
paragraphs have a similar 3-part structure that includes:
Topic Sentence, Supporting Details (3-6
Topic Sentence
specific.

clearly identifies the topic and controlling idea; it shouldnt be too general or too

Reading is a hobby for many people.

sentences), and Concluding Sentence.

Supporting Details gives details or examples about the topic and controlling idea; they should not
bring in new ideas.
Some people read for entertainment. Many people want to relax and have fun while
they read.
Others read to learn something new. They read on topics such as language, history, or
science.

Concluding Sentence
restates the topic sentence using different words & phrases; it can also
restate supporting details; it does not bring in new ideas.
Many individuals enjoy reading in their free time.
Reading is fun, educational, and informative for many people.

PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS: READ THE PARAGRAPH AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.

Gold, a valuable metal, is prized for two main reasons. To begin, gold is resistant to corrosion, unlike other
metals that degrade over time by chemical reaction with their environment, like in the case of silver or copper. As
a consequence, gold is an ideal material for making jewelry, coins, and decorative items. Because it never
corrodes, gold doesnt need to be polished and will remain beautiful indefinitely. For example, an ancient
Macedonian coin remains as undamaged today as the day it was made 2500 years ago. Another reason gold is so
valuable is due to its usefulness in industry and science. For years, it has been used in hundreds of industrial
2

applications, such as photography and dentistry. The most recent use of gold is in astronauts suits. When they go
outside in space, astronauts wear gold-lined heat shields for protection. In conclusion, gold is treasured not only for
its aesthetic appeal but also for its practical uses.
1. What is the topic and controlling idea?
2. What are the two supporting details?
3. What examples are given for each supporting detail?
PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS: READ EACH PARAGRAPH. IDENTIFY THE TOPIC AND CONTROLLING IDEA.
IDENTIFY THE SUPPORTING DETAILS. ADD YOUR OWN CONCLUSION SENTENCE.
You can be a good conversationalist by being a good listener. When you are conversing with someone, pay close
attention to the speakers words while looking at his or her face. Show your interest by smiling and nodding.
Furthermore, do not interrupt while someone is speaking; it is impolite to do so. If you have a good story, wait until
the speaker is finished. Also, watch your body language; it can affect your communication whether you are the
speaker or the listener. For instance, do not sit slumped in a chair or make nervous hand and foot movements. Be
relaxed and bend your body slightly toward to show interest in the person and the conversation.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Modern communication technology is driving workers in the corporate world crazy. They feel buried under the large
number of messages they receive daily. In addition to telephone calls, office workers receive dozens of e-mail and
voice mail messages daily. In one company, in fact, managers receive an average of 100 messages a day. Because
they do not have enough time to respond to these messages during office hours, it is common for them to do so in
the evenings or on weekends at home.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS: PUT THE SENTENCES IN ORDER ACCORDING TO CORRECT PARAGRAPH
STRUCTURE.
_____ Students can go to class during the weekdays and then work at a restaurant in the evenings or on the
weekends.
_____ Students can learn about responsibilities and working with others.
_____ The second reason why restaurant work suits students is that students can eat in the restaurant.
_____ Students are short on time and money, so they may be able to eat at work with a discount.
4

_____ Working in a restaurant is an excellent part-time job for a college student.

_____ Third, students can get work experience.
_____ First, restaurant work is a great job because the hours are different.
_____ Restaurant work is convenient for college students because they can make money, eat, and still have time
for class.

RECOGNIZING CAUSE & EFFECT RELATIONSHIPS

Words like as a result of, consequently, because, so, for this reason, therefore, thus, and since signal cause and
effect relationships.
Cause is defined as why something happened. To find cause, readers ask Why did this happen? Effect is
defined as what happened. To find an effect, readers ask, What happened?
Cause and effect essays are some of the most common types of essays that students write. These essays may
explore the causes of an event or relate the effects of some phenomenon in society or nature.
5

The sentences below are examples of cause and effect relationships about which an essay could be written:
As a result of warm El Nio years, there have been damaging floods along Perus coastal plain and in the
countrys western Andean foothills.
cause = warm El Nio years
effect = floods
Public health officials did not initially understand the route of HIV transmission. Consequently, the virus
spread quickly.
cause = lack of understanding about virus transmission effect = spread of the virus
Because Ecuador wants to shift its economy away from an extractive model, the government has invested
heavily in education.
cause = desire to change the economy
effect = investment in education
Cause and effect relationships can be expressed in pairs of sentences or in a single sentence.
In a pair of sentences, a linking adverb is used to connect the cause and effect. The linking adverb serves as a
transition from one sentence to the next. It introduces an effect of a situation stated in the sentence before it. A
comma is used after the linking adverb.

In a single sentence, a preposition joins one clause with another clause. It introduces a cause for the situation

stated in the other clause. A comma is not used when the connector is in mid-sentence position.

PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS: IDENTIFY THE SIGNAL WORD THAT INDICATES A CAUSE & EFFECT
RELATIONSHIP. THEN DETERMINE WHICH PART OF THE SENTENCE IS THE CAUSE AND WHICH IS THE
EFFECT.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Alligators almost became extinct as people had killed too many of them.
Many species of wildlife are becoming extinct since the rainforests are being destroyed.
Because we ran out of milk, we went to the grocery store.
Powerful winds blew the roof off the house. As a result, the family had nowhere to live.
I stayed at home due to the rain.

PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS. USE THE GIVEN CAUSE & EFFECT TO WRITE A SENTENCE.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

cause
cause
cause
cause
cause

=
=
=
=
=

The United States housing bubble burst

effect = The Great Recession started
Sea levels have risen
effect = There is increased flood damage
I studied every weeknight
effect = I got good grades
Workers worked shifts night and day.
effect = The building was completed on time.
The restaurant had unsanitary conditions.
effect = The restaurant lost its license to operate.

CAUSE & EFFECT PARAGRAPHS

A cause & effect relationship can be explained over the course of an entire book or essay. A single paragraph can
also discuss a cause & effect relationship. In this case, the structure follows the general paragraph structure weve
9

already studied, including a topic, controlling idea, supporting details and examples. These types of paragraphs
may devote more space to exploring either the cause or the effect.
Example 1: The paragraph below focuses on the causes that led to a particular effect the growth of
cities.
In recent decades, cities have grown so large that now about 50% of the Earth's population lives in urban
areas. There are several reasons for this occurrence. First, the increasing industrialization of the nineteenth century
resulted in the creation of many factory jobs, which tended to be located in cities. These jobs, with their promise of
a better material life, attracted many people from rural areas. Second, there were many schools established to
educate the children of the new factory laborers. The promise of a better education persuaded many families to
leave farming communities and move to the cities. Finally, as the cities grew, people established places of leisure,
entertainment, and culture, such as sports stadiums, theaters, and museums. For many people, these facilities
made city life appear more interesting than life on the farm, and therefore drew them away from rural
communities.
Topic: cities

Controlling idea (the effect): their rapid growth

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Supporting details (the causes): industrialization created factory jobs; jobs attracted new residents;
schools built for new residents also attracted still newer residents; cultural activities started by residents
attracted even more new residents
Example 2: The paragraph below focuses on the effects of a particular cause smoking.
Smoking has many serious effects. The most obvious effect is the deterioration of a smoker's health. Smoking
increases the risk of lung disease, increases blood pressure, increases the risk of heart attacks, and reduces the
flow of oxygen to the brain. Smoking creates respiratory problems. Prolonged use may lead to emphysema and the
need to hook up to a machine to pump enough oxygen into the lungs. Smoking frequently results in social isolation
because fewer people smoke or want to be in the presence of second-hand smoke. Friends and acquaintances
often bluntly tell their smoking friends that they don't want the smell in their cars or in their homes. The strong,
offensive odor of smoke clings to smokers' clothing, hair, and skin. The final effect of smoking is that is depletes
the pocketbook. Smoking is now an expensive habit, and the price of cigarettes continues to rise. The effects of
smoking are many, which leaves one wondering why intelligent people do not find a way to break their harmful
addition.
Topic: smoking

Controlling idea (the cause): how it causes negative effects on smokers

Supporting details (the effects): deterioration of health; social isolation; loss of money
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PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS: READ THE PARAGRAPHS. WHAT IS THE CAUSE? WHAT IS THE EFFECT? ALSO
DETERMINE THE TOPIC, CONTROLLING IDEA, SUPPORTING DETAILS.
1.

Air pollution is perhaps the most devastating form of pollution since it destroys a resource that
every life form as we know it needs to sustain itself. The effects of this menace, both immediate and far
ranging, are easy to summarize: unbreathable air. The causes, however, need some more inspection. Every
citizen who drives a car that is not properly serviced and that does not have emission control devices is
contributing noxious gases into the atmosphere. Large industries that do not use filtration mechanisms are
also contributors. Every government which does not pass, or passes but does not enforce, strict air pollution
legislation is also destroying the atmosphere. One may wonder why these three aspects of society are so
careless about the air they breathe. Well, there is an underlying cause which motivates all three groups:
money. Legislation and enforcement of laws and installation and maintenance of filtration systems cost
money. The majority of these three groups seems content to save a bit of money now and to sacrifice an
invaluable commodity later.
Cause:

Effect:

Topic:

Controlling idea:

Supporting details:
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2.

The emotion of fear sets off many changes in your body. When you become frightened, you
breathe more deeply, giving your muscles more oxygen and greater energy. Your hearts beats more
powerfully so that your blood circulates faster, carrying oxygen to all parts of your body. Your stomach and
intestines no longer contract and all digestive action stops. No saliva flows in your mouth and your throat
becomes dry. Your face becomes pale and the tiny blood vessels shrink under the skin so that less blood
would flow if you were cut. The blood can clot faster so that there would be less bleeding from a wound. The
pupils of your eyes enlarge, admitting more light during the emergency. You might be able to perform great
feats of strength in this condition.
Cause:

Effect:

Topic:

Controlling idea:

Supporting details:
3.

There are more old people in the world today because of an increase in medical services. Today,
more people can get medical services from doctors and nurses in hospitals and clinics. As a result, fewer
people get fatal disease such as yellow fever, malaria, cholera, and typhoid. This decrease in fatal diseases
causes a decrease in the number of people who die from these diseases. Because of this decrease in number
13

of deaths, people can live longer today. As a result, there has been an increase in the number of old people
living in the world today.
Cause:

Effect:

Topic:

Controlling idea:

Supporting details:
4.

Volcanic eruptions usually have catastrophic effects for nearby human populations; on the other
hand, long-ago eruptions have also created new land masses that provide habitable land for humans. When
the temperature rises deep under the Earths crust, it becomes hot enough to melt rock and turn it into
magma. Sometimes this magma, or melted rock, blasts through the Earths surface, which causes rock, ash,
and deadly gases to fly into the air. The lava that flows out of the volcano can knock down trees and destroy
houses and even whole towns. Although volcanoes can cause lots of destruction, the volcanos eruption also
creates new land. Many times this new land forms an island in the ocean.
Cause:

Effect:

Topic:

Controlling idea:

Supporting details:
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PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS: USE THE PROMPT TO WRITE A CAUSE & EFFECT PARAGRAPH. DECIDE FIRST
IF THE QUESTION IS ASKING YOU TO MAINLY EXPLORE A CAUSE OR TO EXPLORE AN EFFECT.
1.
2.
3.

Why has President Correa supported drilling for oil in the Amazon?
What changes will occur in the Urcuqu area as a result of the construction of the City of Knowledge?
Why has Ecuador raised tariffs on imported products?

COMPOUND SENTENCES
Paragraphs that are composed of a series of simple sentences are choppy and less fluid, as if read by a child.
However, what is more significant is that paragraphs consisting of simple sentences are boring, failing to entice
and capture the readers attention. One way to capture the readers attention is to vary sentence length and type.
Here we will examine one useful type of sentence the compound sentence.
A compound sentence has two independent clauses joined by a coordinating conjunction. It could be separated
into two sentences.
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Example:
I enjoy studying at Yachay, and I like living in this region of Ecuador.
[I enjoy studying at Yachay. I like living
in this region of Ecuador.]
You can remember the common coordinating
conjunctions with the acronym FANBOYS:
F
for

A
And

N
nor

B
but

O
or

A comma must be used before the

coordinating conjunction.
Examples:
PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS: USE THE 2
SENTENCES TO CREATE A SINGLE
16

COMPOUND SENTENCE. DETERMINE WHICH COORDINATING CONJUNCTION BEST ILLUSTRATES THE

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THEM.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

I think I will buy the red car. Or Maybe I will buy the blue one.
I really want to go to work. But I am too sick to take the bus.
I am counting my calories. But I really want dessert.
He ran out of money. So He had to stop playing online poker.
They got to the concert early. So They got really good seats.
Everyone was busy. so I went to the movie alone.
Cats are good pets. So They are clean and are not noisy.
We have never been to Asia. Nor We have never visited Africa.
He didnt want to go to the dentist. But He went anyway.

PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS: READ THE PARAGRAPH. DECIDE WHERE COORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS

COULD BE USED TO CREATE COMPOUND SENTENCES.
The valedictorian looked young and She was dressed in a black graduation gown with red shoes and
Everyone was staring at her.and She knew it. She wanted to project confidence. But She felt very nervous . Before
she began, she stood up straight and She took a deep breath. Then she read her speech to the public. Her
audience was delighted so They congratulated her with applauses and cheers.
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COMPLEX SENTENCES
Another useful way to vary your sentence structure is to use complex sentence types. A complex sentence has one
independent clause and at least one dependent clause. Unlike a compound sentence, it cannot be separated into
two complete units. A complex sentence instead joins two clauses. A clause is a group of words that contains a
subject and a verb. In a complex sentence, at least one of the clauses depends on the subordinating
conjunction for its meaning. In other words, if you remove the conjunction, the sentence wont divide into
complete units that make sense by themselves.
Examples:

The lab was burned because a chemical fire got out of control.

complete sentence

dependent clause

Although the lab was ruined, it is possible to reconstruct it.

dependent clause

complete sentence
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Complex sentences all require a subordinating conjunction. When beginning a sentence with a subordinating
conjunction, place a comma at the end of the clause. There is no need for a comma if the subordinating
conjunction introduces the dependent clause in the middle of the sentence.
Although the lab was ruined, it is possible to reconstruct it. It is possible to reconstruct the lab although it was
ruined.
Common subordinating conjunctions:
Showing Opposition or Unexpected Results - although / even though / though
Although I felt he was wrong, I decided to trust him.
Sharon started looking for a new job even though she was currently employed.
Though I couldn't understand a word, we had a great time!
Showing Cause and Effect - because / since / as
Since you need some help, I'll come over this afternoon.
Henry felt he needed to take some time off because he had been working so hard.
The parents paid for extra lessons as the children were very gifted.
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Expressing Time - when / as soon as / before / after / by

By the time you get this letter, I will have left for New York.
I used to play a lot of tennis when I was a teenager.
We had a wonderful dinner after she had arrived.
Expressing Conditions - if / unless / in the case that
If I were you, I would take my time with that project.
They won't come next week unless you ask them to do so.
In the case that he isn't available, we'll look for another consultant.
PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS: USE SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS (though, if, when, because, etc.) IN
THE BLANK SPACE.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

__________Henry needs to learn English, I will teach him.

__________ it was raining outside, we went for a walk.
Yvonne played golf extremely well __________ she was very young.
__________Franklin wants to get a new job, he is preparing for job interviews.
Marvin thinks he will buy the house __________ he knows what his wife thinks.
__________Cindy and David had breakfast, they left for work.
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7. I really enjoyed the concert __________the music was too loud.

8. Alexander has been working sixty hours a week __________ there is an important presentation next week.
9. __________ the car was extremely expensive, and Bob didn't have much money, he bought the car anyway.
10.
I prefer to watch TV by streaming over the internet __________ it allows me to watch what I want when I
want.
11.
__________we have a lot of rain, I put the outdoor chairs in the garage.
PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS: READ THE PARAGRAPH. DECIDE WHICH SUBORDINATING CONJUNCTIONS
COULD BE USED TO CREATE COMPLEX SENTENCES.
Yachay Tech is a brand new university. It has a new educational plan and well-qualified professors. It doesnt
accept just any students. Instead, __________ students enter Yachay, they must pass an entrance exam. This means
that Yachays students are well-prepared for challenging classes. __________ of their background, Yachays students
tend to be very motivated and eager to learn. __________ they have trouble with their studies, they are able to get
support from professors, tutors, and each other. __________ the university has just opened, it has been successful in
teaching its students many new concepts.

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TRANSITIONS & INTRODUCTORY PHRASES

Transitions and introductory phrases make your writing more coherent. They have a number of functions.
they connect one idea to the next
they help the reader progress from one significant idea to the next
they show the relationship within a paragraph (or within a sentence) between the main idea and the support
the author gives for those ideas
Addition:

furthermore, in addition, moreover

Conseque accordingly, as a result, consequently, for this reason, for this purpose, hence, so then,
nce:
subsequently, therefore, thus
Contrast:

in contrast, conversely, however, on one hand, on the other hand

Comparis
on:
Emphasis

likewise, similarly
above all, mainly, especially, indeed
22

:
Exception
:
Generaliz
ing:
Illustratio
n:
Restatem
ent:
Sequence
:

aside from, beside, except, other than

as a rule, as usual, for the most part, generally, usually
for example, for instance, in this case, in particular, specifically, such as
in essence, in other words, namely, that is to say
at first, first of all, to begin with, in the first place, at the same time, for now, for the time being,
the next step, in time, in turn, later on, meanwhile, next, then, soon, in the meantime, later,
while, earlier, simultaneously, afterward, in conclusion

Summariz in conclusion, in summary, finally

ing:

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PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS: FIND THE TRANSITIONS AND INTRODUCTORY PHRASES IN THE PARAGRAPH.
DISCUSS WHAT FUNCTION THEY HAVE. DO THEY CONNECT IDEAS ACROSS SENTENCES? DO THEY SHOW
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN IDEAS WITHIN THE PARAGRAPH AS A WHOLE?
Paragraph 1
Gold, a valuable metal, is prized for two main reasons. To begin, gold is resistant to corrosion, unlike other
metals that degrade over time by chemical reaction with their environment, such as in the case of silver or copper.
As a consequence, gold is an ideal material for making jewelry, coins, and decorative items. Because it never
corrodes, gold doesnt need to be polished and will remain beautiful indefinitely. For example, an ancient
Macedonian coin remains as undamaged today as the day it was made 2500 years ago. Another reason gold is so
valuable is due to its usefulness in industry and science. For years, it has been used in hundreds of industrial
applications, such as photography and dentistry. The most recent use of gold is in astronauts suits. When they go
outside in space, astronauts wear gold-lined heat shields for protection. In conclusion, gold is treasured not only for
its aesthetic appeal but also for its practical uses.
Paragraph 2
You can be a good conversationalist by being a good listener. When you are conversing with someone, pay
close attention to the speakers words while looking at his or her face. Show your interest by smiling and nodding.
24

Furthermore, do not interrupt while someone is speaking; it is impolite to do so. If you have a good story, wait until
the speaker is finished. Also, watch your body language; it can affect your communication whether you are the
speaker or the listener. For instance, do not sit slumped in a chair or make nervous hand and foot movements. Be
relaxed and bend your body slightly toward to show interest in the person and the conversation.
PRACTICE. USE THE TRANSITIONS PROVIDED TO FILL IN THE BLANKS.
Cause & Effect Essay 1:

For instance / For example / Moreover / Furthermore / As a result /

Consequently / In conclusion
What effects has the computer had on our lives?

The twenty-first century is already turning out to be the century of the computer. The computer revolution
that started after the Second World War is now developing more quickly, and computers are beginning to influence
and take over nearly every aspect of our lives. Computers are clearly changing and affecting society in many
ways.
The two main effects computers have had on our lives are in the areas of economics and communications.
The computer has led to big changes in our economic and business lives. Businesses now have to be
computerized, or they risk failure. 1_______________, every big corporation bases its operations on computing,
regardless of which sector they are in. 2________________, CocaCola, the BBC and Levis market and sell different
25

products and services, yet they all share one basic propertywithout computers their operations would collapse.
Computing is a generator of economic dynamism. China and India and many other developing countries have large
IT sectors which drive their economies upwards. 3__________________, the more advanced economies, including
Germany, the United States, Japan, and Korea are moving from an industrial-based economy to a computer and IT
based one.
The other important effect of the computer is that communication has been totally revolutionized.
4_______________, in the past, people wrote letters, which would often take weeks to reach their destinations, or
speak on the phone, which was terribly expensive. Now they send emails. Instead of waiting weeks for a letter,
we can read it instantly, seconds after its been written. 5 __________________, many people use computers to
communicate with people all around the world using chat rooms and chat programs, this was impossible before the
computer became widespread. 6 __________________, now people who live thousands of kilometers away from each
other can communicate as much as they want and whenever they want using email or chat rooms.
7_______________________, computers have had a profound effect on our lives in many ways and it is in
business and communication that they have had the greatest influence. In the future, if the computer continues
evolving at such speed, our business practices and methods of communication will undergo even greater changes.
Descriptive Essay 2:
Furthermore

To sum up / Consequently / Moreover / Moreover / In fact / In addition /

26

Fortunately / However / For example In other words / As time goes by

The Weekend Market
Many tourists I have met have told me that one place they have to go is the weekend market. This market is
huge and has everything from bags, souvenirs, and handicrafts to many kinds of animals and plants, and it also
has a variety of local foods. 1. ___________, the weekend market is a great place for shopping and experiencing the
local culture.
The market is located near the city's main bus station so people come from all over the country to buy and
sell goods. 2. __________, it is also near a train station and a bus stop, which makes it very convenient for city
people, especially young people who don't have cars. The market is very large and full of hundreds of small shops
and stalls. 3. _____________, it can be confusing to get around. 4. _________, if you get lost, you can always look for
the clock tower, which is right in the middle of the market. It will help you find your way.
In my own experience, when I walk into the market early on a Sunday morning, there are people and cars and
motorcycles everywhere. You have to be careful where you walk. Many people are bringing their goods to sell in big
bags on carts. 5. ________, you might even have to jump out of the sellers' way as they charge along the narrow
streets with their goods. 6. ___________ to the sellers, tourists and locals are pouring in looking for something to eat
27

or getting ready to start shopping. 7. ____________, the market gets more and more crowded and you have to start
squeezing past people to keep moving.
As you walk through the market you will experience many sensations. 8. _____________, there are many smells,
scents and aromas. One moment you will be smelling the aromas of dishes cooked at a small restaurant and the
next you smell the scents of orchids and other flowers as you pass through the garden section. 9. _______________,
walking deeper into the market, your eyes will have trouble recording so many products with their many colors,
designs, and sizes. After a while, you may feel dizzy and look for a quiet place to have a rest and a refreshing drink.
10.__________, there are many small cafes and drink stalls selling fresh coconut juice, orange juice, or iced water.
11.__________, a day at the weekend market is both a day of shopping and a unique experience for your
senses. It is a kind of magical journey that is great as a first experience for tourists and an escape from daily life for
locals. 12. ___________, the atmosphere is friendly and good-natured.
COMPARE & CONTRAST PARAGRAPHS
Comparison shows similarities between persons, places, things, ideas, or situations. Contrast points out the
differences between persons, places, things, ideas, or situations.
Two Basic Methods for Organizing Comparison / Contrast Paragraphs
28

1. If you let A and B stand for the two things (subjects) being compared, then you can use the block
method in which you tell all about A, then tell all about B. Thus you discuss A in a block and B in a block.
2. If you let A and B stand for the two things (subjects) being compared, then you compare them using the
point by point method. Every time you say something about A, you also say something about B right in
the same sentence or in the sentence immediately following.
Version 1: Point by point method
Physicists and rebels have little in common. The places they do their work are very different. Physicists spend
most of their lives in safe classrooms and labs. Rebels, on the other hand, spend time in the streets or on the
battlefield. Additionally, the changes that physicists and rebels make in society are distinct. Whereas a physicist
changes ideas about science or creates new inventions, rebels generally make changes to the political structure or
government. Finally, the risks that physicists and rebels face are very different. For an unpopular physicist, the
worst case scenario is that he or she loses a job. An unpopular rebel, by contrast, can lose his or her life.
Version 2: Block method
Physicists and rebels have little in common. Physicists work in safe classrooms and labs. The changes they
make in society generally involve changing ideas about science or creating new inventions. If a physicist is
unpopular, he or she will lose a job, but other negative effects are unlikely. Rebels, on the other hand, live more
29

dangerous lives, working in the streets or on the battlefield. The changes they make are of a political or
governmental nature, and, if they are unpopular, rebels risk losing their lives. As you can see, physicists and rebels
are very dissimilar.
PRACTICE. INSTRUCTIONS. WRITE A COMPARE OR CONTRAST PARAGRAPH THAT ADDRESSES THE
TOPIC. WRITE 2 VERSIONS ONE USING THE POINT BY POINT
METHOD AND ONE USING THE BLOCK METHOD.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Socialism versus Capitalism

Mammals versus Reptiles
Public versus Private Transportation
Celsius versus Fahrenheit

THE WRITING PROCESS

Adapted from A Word or Two on the Writing Process by Lennie Irvin
You are probably familiar with the term "the
writing process" but the actual act of writing is more
complex than the term suggests. The writing process
is more than a series of steps to follow in the right

order. Some
people represent
writing as if it
were a simple
30

recipe which will be complete only if you follow the

directions faithfully. Have you ever followed all the
steps of the writing process but still come out with an
awful essay? Teachers have broken down the act of
writing into steps and tried to suggest a sequence to
follow, but the act of writing doesn't follow a straight
line. For instance, you may come to your real thesis as
you write your conclusion (causing you to return
almost to the beginning in the writing process
sequence). Writing is recursive; it turns back upon
itself, goes in circles, and leaps ahead. If you correct a
spelling error as you write your first draft, you have
done a proofreading act (a later stage) while you are
drafting (an early to middle stage).
Thus, writing isn't a neat series of steps to follow
but a complex organic act of creation. Rather than
saying there are "stages" to the writing process, we
might describe the process better to say that there are

"phases" to the writing process that we might cycle

and recycle through numerous times in the course of
writing any single piece of writing.
When the writing process goes bad and how to
overcome it:
Have you ever had trouble writing? Have you
ever started to write a sentence and then crossed it
out or taken an hour to write one paragraph and then
crumpled up the page? Some people call it the terror
of the blank page. Studies have even shown that
writers may have a good sense of the writing process
(that they should prewrite, write, and revise), but they
still will produce essays with substantial problems.
Knowledge of the writing process doesnt guarantee a
good piece of writing.
Sondra Perl, a researcher into the writing process,
explains that unskilled writers lack of success in
31

writing may be the result of premature or rigid

attempts to correct and edit their writing before these
writers have fully explored their ideas. Another wellknown teacher of writingPeter Elbowmakes a similar
point when he explains where writers block comes
from. Elbow points to the double nature of writing.
On the one hand, as you write you have to be creative.
You arent necessarily creating like a novelist or a
painter, but you still have to create the essay with its
words and ideas. On the other hand, you are being
critical. As soon as you write a sentence, a voice inside
your head begins questioningDid you spell it right? Is
it what the teacher wants? Is it grammatically correct?
Is it organized well? Can this be done? Its very hard to
be creative while being criticalbecause the critical
voice cancels the creative side out.

I suggest separating the two voices from each

other as you work on your essay. Take time when you
start just to be creative. You cant do anything in this
phase wrong. Your goal is to put down and explore as
many ideas about your topic as you can. In terms of
the writing process, we can call this phase of writing
the prewriting phase. As you work in this phase, you
might do these types of activities: brainstorming,
listing, questioning, data gathering, freewriting, and
even a freewriting first draft. As you work in this
creative phase, you will have to make a conscious
effort not to be critical and ask, Is it right? Let
everything come out in whatever order or manner you
want. It will be chaotic, but out of chaos comes order
so be chaotic. As much as possible, dont let the
critical voice stop your flow of work.

Separating the Creative and the Critical

After you have spent time exploring your topic

and getting a draft on paper, then begin to think
32

critically. Here your critical questions are appropriate

and needed. First, you might look at the mess of your
ideas and identify main ideas or supports. Perhaps you
will come up with a mini-outline that you will use to
write a more careful draft. After that draft is finished,
then you begin questioning if words are spelled
correctly, paragraphs organized well, and sentences
put together clearly and without error. In terms of the

writing process, this phase involves outlining, drafting,

revision, editing, and proofreading.
Separating the creative from the critical will help
you, because you wont have to do everything at once.
It means trusting your early efforts and believing in
your ability to fix what needs to be fixed at a later
time.

1. Based on what youve read here, put the steps of the writing process in order. Then, describe what actions are
involved in each process.
Revision Brainstorm
Draft
Outline Consult with peers/instructor
2. Which step of the writing process do you do best? Which step challenges you the most? Which step takes you
the most time? Are there any steps that you dont follow or dont spend enough time on?
3. Draw a diagram that shows your own writing process.

33

THE THREE-PARAGRAPH ESSAY

An essay is a very structured piece of writing. It is different from other genres and styles of writing, such as lab
reports, newspaper articles, or blogs. In an essay, the parts should work together to create a whole. All essays
should consist of three parts: the introduction, the body, and the conclusion.
Introduc
tion

Body
Conclusi
on

gives the reader brief background information about the topic

generates curiosity in the reader so that he or she will want to read about your topic
informs the reader about your perspective on that topic the thesis
gives a preview of the organization of the rest of the essay
develops the ideas presented in the introduction in greater detail
gives examples and a defense of your argument

summarizes your main points, excluding specific examples

reiterates the thesis with different words, now that the reader has had the benefit of reading
your complete argument
demonstrates the relevance of the main idea to the reader

In the introduction, you need a thesis statement. The thesis statement includes the topic of the essay (the
"what") and will include or be followed by the controlling idea of the entire essay (what your contribution is - "why"
you chose the topic).
A thesis statement
is the main point of your essay
must be clear, specific, arguable, and on-topic
must be placed in the introductory paragraph, usually towards the end
of the paragraph

(unit 5)

COMPARE & CONTRAST ESSAY

Curry and Capellini
India and Italy are located on totally different continents, speak completely different languages, and have
very different religious backgrounds. India is part of the Asian subcontinent, there are hundreds of languages
spoken in India, and the two main religions are Hinduism and Islam. In contrast, Italy is a European country where
most people speak Italian and share their faith in Catholicism. Although Italy and India appear to be worlds apart,
there are many unique and often overlooked similarities between the two cultures. India and Italy have many
similarities in terms of the importance of family and food.
One similarity between Indian and Italian culture is the importance of family. In India, family is the most
important part of society. Furthermore, many generations of families live in one house. Grandparents and
grandchildren live together and share their lives together. Children grow up with a deep respect for their elders and
for the importance of family. When decisions are made, Indians think of the effect on the family before they think

about the impact on the individual. In the same way, Italians value family more than almost anything. Italians
have large families with lots of children. Even though the generations may not live together in one house, they
usually live near each other and get together for meals regularly. Italians also make decisions with the bests
interests of the family at heart.
Indian and Italian cultures are also similar in terms of the significance of food. Indian food is famous
throughout the world. Each region of India is well known for different delicacies and unique curries. In the north,
curries are often spicier, but in the south, curries may be lighter and include coconut milk. Additionally, Indians
value the time spent making food and the quality of food once it is prepared. In India, cooking is a well-respected
profession and high quality food is respected by all. Like India, Italy is famous for its food. From the homemade
pasta dishes to the fresh seafood and vegetables used in the dishes, simple Italian food such as spaghetti can be
found in almost every country in the world. Italians grandmothers spend years teaching their children how to cook
and passing along secret family recipes.
Even though there are a number of differences between India and Italy, they have remarkable similarities in
terms of tradition and cultures. The traditional family is respected and revered in India and Italy. Additionally, some

of the most famous dishes in the world come from India and Italy. Although they may seem very different, in terms
of valuing food and family, they are the same.

Sources:
http://www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/ReadStrat15.html
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/composition/cause_effect.htm
http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/19-2.html
http://marikitamenulis.blogspot.com/2009/06/cause-and-effect-paragraph.html
http://www.readwritethink.org/files/resources/lesson_images/lesson925/paragraph.pdf
http://utminers.utep.edu/ajkline/cause.htm
https://myreadwritebooster.wordpress.com/writing-3/2-paragraph-writing/11-paragraphs-of-cause-effect/
http://www.grammar-quizzes.com/8-3punc.html

http://www.yourdictionary.com/coordinating-conjunction
http://facultad.bayamon.inter.edu/vquinones/Documents/Handouts/GEEN
%201103/Simple_TO_Compound_Complex_Paragraphs.pdf
http://esl.about.com/od/esl-worksheets/a/Complex-Sentence-Worksheet.htm
https://www.msu.edu/~jdowell/135/transw.html
http://www.studygs.net/wrtstr6.htm
http://www.eslflow.com/Computer_effects_transitions_worksheet___answers.pdf
http://www.eslflow.com/Weekend_market_descriptive_essay_exercise___answers_.pdf
Bow Valley College's Learning Resource Services. (n.d.). Writing a comparison / contrast paragraph. Retrieved September 30, 2014, from
http://bowvalleycollege.ca/Documents/Learning%20Resource%20Services/Library%20Learning%20Commons/E-Resources/Study%20guides/writing
%20para_comp.pdf

http://www.lirvin.net/WGuides/wprocess.htm