Structure strong paragraphs in academic writing
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The document discusses the structure and purpose of paragraphs, emphasizing the importance of topic sentences and the flow of information. It highlights issues with traditional handover practices in healthcare and provides examples of various academic studies, notably on Daphnia and enzyme extraction. Additionally, it covers the evolution of language teaching methods and the significance of Darwin's 'The Origin of Species' in shaping scientific understanding of human evolution.
Structure strong paragraphs in academic writing
- 1. Paragraphs Have a clear purpose Clear sequence Support sentencesTopic sentence First sentence Introduces main idea Links argument together Summarises main idea Transitions out of the detail Links to the next idea Concluding sentence
- 2. Topic sentence A B C D E Argument Topic sentence Topic sentence Topic sentence Topic sentence Topic sentence Details Details Details Details Details Details Details Details Details Details Details Details Details Details Details Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 Paragraph 3 Paragraph 4 Paragraph 5
- 3. Single paragraphs One sentence = one idea One paragraph = one main idea “The paragraph is essentially a unit of thought, not of length.” H.W. Fowler
- 4. 1. Descriptive A number of problems associated with the traditional routines of handover practices have been identified. Baldwin and McGinnis (1994, pp. 61-64) find that many handovers are unnecessarily lengthy which means that there is an unacceptable period of time during each shift when nurses are not available in the ward or unit. Another area that has received attention is the content and presentation of handover information… Thus, many serious problems have been identified in traditional handover practices which may reflect on the professional standing of nurses in this profession. une.edu.au/currentstudents/resources/academicskills
- 5. 2. Descriptive The water flea Daphnia - a 'new' model system for ecology and evolution? Angelika Stollewerk, Journal of Biology 20109:21 DOI: 10.1186/jbiol212, Daphnia Ecology and lifestyle Daphnia are filter feeders that direct small suspended particles into their mouth by a water current produced by their leaf-like legs (Figure 1). Daphnia's common name of 'water flea' comes from its jump-like movement, which results from the beat of the large antennae used for swimming (Figure 1). In a normal growth season Daphnia generates diploid eggs by asexual reproduction (partheno-genesis). These eggs develop directly into larvae in the female brood chamber and are released into the water after about 3 days… This makes Daphnia an ideal system to study the evolution of the molecular processes of parthenogenesis.
- 6. Directional Jacaratia corumbensis O. Kuntze a New Vegetable Source for Milk-Clotting Enzymes Vol.52, n. 1: pp.1-9, January-February 2009 ISSN 1516-8913 Printed in Brazil Enzyme Extraction Fresh biological material (Jacaratia corumbensis O. kuntze root) was washed several times with distilled water and disinfected with sodium hypochloride (10% v/v). After this, the latex obtained from the root was diluted (1g) in 100 ml 0.9% (w/v) NaCl solution. The solute, was then stirred at room temperature (25ºC) for 1 h and filtered through a filter paper and maintained at 4°C. This solution was used for the determination of protein, proteolytic and milk clotting activities.
- 7. Informative Scarry, S & Scarry, J 2011. The Writer’s Workplace with Readings: Building College Writing Skills (7th ed.) Boston The use of literary works in the second/foreign language curriculum varies greatly depending on the method dominating the practice. First, literary works were notable sources of material when the Grammar Translation Method dominated until the end of the 19th century. But they were absent from the curriculum until 1970s when the Grammar Translation Method was successively replaced by Structuralism Approach, Direct Method, Audio-lingual Method, Community Language Learning, Suggestopedia, the Silent Way, Total Physical Response, and the Natural Approach because these methods tend to regard a second and foreign language teaching as a matter of linguistics….. Afterward, literature undergoes an extensive reconsideration within the language teaching profession.
- 8. Given to the new Most sentences in English have two parts a theme (or topic or a subject) and a rheme (comment, information or predicate) The theme is what you are writing about - it is shared information and it has been introduced to your reader. The rheme is what you are saying about the theme - it is new information, what you want to tell your reader. The rheme of one sentence becomes the theme of the next sentence. http://www.uefap.com/grammar/gramfram.htm Themes and rhemes
- 9. Theme—> Rheme Theme —> Rheme Theme —> Rheme Given to the new http://www.uefap.com/grammar/gramfram.htm The complete electrical behaviour of any valve or transistor can be described by stating the interrelation of the currents and the voltages between all the electrodes. These relationships can conveniently be displayed graphically, and the various curves are known as the 'characteristics' of the device. In principle, all the characteristics should be available to the designer proposing to use the device in a circuit.
- 10. Given to the new http://www.uefap.com/grammar/gramfram.htm Theme —> rheme Theme —> rheme Theme —> rheme Anthropology is the study of humankind, especially of Homo sapiens, the biological species to which we human beings belong. It is the study of how our species evolved from more primitive organisms; it is also the study of how our species developed a mode of communication known as language and a mode of social life known as culture.
- 11. Given to the new http://www.uefap.com/grammar/gramfram.htm A mix Darwin’s The origin of species published in 1859 was hugely influential in the field of science and in society in general. Indeed it has often been referred to as the ‘book that shook the world’. The book outlined how there could be a relatively gradual change in the characteristics of successive generations of a species and that higher plants and animals evolved slowly over time from lower beings. This evolution occurred as a result of competition within local interacting communities. Darwin’s book helped throw the idea that there was a complete difference between humans and the animal world into turmoil as he reinforced the suggestion that humans evolved from lower beings. Prior to this it was believed in the western world, based on biblical works, that humans were created superior to other beings.
- 12. Troubleshooting 1. Starts with a transition word. 2. Starts with a backwards link to the previous paragraph. 3. Starts with a caveat. 4. Starts with a reference. 5. Starts or stops abruptly. 6. Violates given to the new. https://medium.com/advice-and-help-in-authoring-a-phd-or-non-fiction/how-to-write-paragraphs-80781e2f3054
- 13. Apply Review your own paragraph structure: - Topic position of each topic sentence - Strength of each topic sentence - Identify the purpose of each paragraph - Identify the main idea of each paragraph - Order of information
- 14. Organising information over several paragraphs Arranging paragraphs Blocks Point-by-point Cycles
- 15. Blocks Introduction (explanation) Point One Eg for/compare (analysing) Point Two Eg against/contrast (analysing) Conclusion (outline problem) Disease #1 & #2 are contracted by different risk groups & spread differently D#1: virus contracted by factory workers, spreads in high pollution levels Unlike D#1, D#2 is a bacterium, affects people who work with soil, spreads fastest in humid conditions Significant diagnosis confusion exists despite clear differences
- 16. Point-by-point Introduction (problem explanation) Point One eg for/against compare/contrast Point Two eg for/against compare/contrast Conclusion Disease #1 and disease #2 present similarly when patients are infected Patients infected with either disease present with rapid onset high fever. D#1 differs slightly from #2 in that…. Patients infected with either disease present with rapid and irregular heart rate. D#1 differs slightly from #2… Given similarities P2, P3 and P4 it is clear that diagnosis is challenging
- 17. Cycles Introduction Description Block x3 Block x3 Conclusion Introduction Analysis Conclusion Introduction Process Block x3 Block x3 Conclusion Introduction Exemptions Conclusion Block x3 Block x3 Point-by-point x2 Point-by-point x2
- 18. Apply 1. Number each paragraph on your sample 2. On a new piece of paper, write number 1 3. Look at paragraph 1 and write down the: 1. main idea of that paragraph 2. paragraph purpose 3. topic sentence 4. flow of information 4. Repeat for paragraph 2, paragraph 3… Reverse outline