Paragraphing in Academic Writing Essay Example for Free

Paragraphing in Academic Writing Essay Although it often seems that paragraphs can take an infinite number of forms, there are really only a few formats for paragraphing in formal, academic prose. What makes paragraphs seem unique to the reader is the style of the writers prose, not the actual format of the information. There are four main types of paragraphs in academic prose: the standard paragraph, the explanatory paragraph, the evidential paragraph, and the introductory paragraph (whose format is sometimes mirrored in the conclusion). Note that the rules and formats described here apply to formal, academic prose, as opposed to paragraphing in newspapers, business, or electronic discourse. Each kind of writing has its own conventions, that is, rules and rhetorical strategies unique to a particular form of composition. In poetry, for example, line breaks contribute to the poems rhythm and overall message and mark the poem as a poem, not as another kind of writing. Conventions in paragraphing can vary from one kind of writing to another as well. In newspaper writing, paragraphs are one to three sentences because the narrow columns used in newspapers make even the shortest paragraph seem long. In electronic discourse, shorter paragraphs and more listing is used because it is more pleasing to the eyetaking advantage of the internets more visual features. A. Standard Paragraph Format Standard paragraphs are the most frequently used paragraph format and most of your essay paragraphs should follow this format. Standard paragraphs contain the following elements in order: 1. Most begin with a topic sentence that makes the main point to be discussed, analyzed, or argued within that paragraph. On very rare occasions, the paragraph may begin with a transition from the last paragraph, followed by the topic sentence for the new paragraph. Paragraphs do not begin with quotations or other kinds of evidence. Evidence must be introduced after the point of the paragraph is made and explained. 2. Following the topic sentence, there is an explanation and/or further development of the point proposed in the topic sentence that clarifies and expands on this point. This explanation adds to the readers understanding of the point. 3. Following the explanation or development of the point, the writer introduces evidence. Introducing evidence includes informing the reader who the information comes from and where (i.e. author and article or book title or foundation, etc.). Such an introduction is an important part of source documentation and helps the reader understand where the evidence portion of the paragraph begins and how the evidence is being used. It is literally a signal to the reader that you have stopped talking and your source has started talking. 4. Once introduced, you provide the actual proof or evidence. This may come in the form of supporting evidence like statistics or quotations or other kinds of softer evidence like anecdotes or eye-witness accounts. Evidence is presented primarily as a paraphrase or summary, with only an occasional pithy, apt quote. It is limited to a few lines, so that the primary focus of the paragraph is on the writers point. Evidence must also be cited properly once given, using parenthetical documentation. (See your textbook for more information on citation.) This parenthetical documentation provides additional, helpful information that pinpoints even more accurately where the evidence can be found and signals the reader that you are going to resume speaking on the topic. 5. After providing proof, you must always explain the meaning of the evidence and tie its meaning to the point you are making so that the reader understands it the way you understand it. Never let evidence stand on its own merit; it must be interpreted for the reader, in light of the point being made, so that the reader understands the meaning and relevance of it. Otherwise, the reader may see the evidence in a different light or be completely lost as to its significance. Thus, evidence must always be explained, even if it seems self-evident to you. Working out the explanation of the evidence is also a helpful check on your own insights. If you cant explain your evidence in light of your point, then it probably doesnt support the point you are making. 6. The paragraph closes with either a summation of the main point or some kind of transition to the next point. This reminds the reader of the argument in progress, its essential points, and the connection between points. B. Explanatory Paragraphs Explanatory paragraphs are used to allow the writer to expand on and explain particularly complex points before providing the reader with a lot of examples or evidence. In particular fields, like the sciences or philosophy, such paragraphs are common in writings that attempt to explain or analyze difficult ideas, theories, or concepts. An explanatory paragraph can also be used to summarize someone elses ideas or concepts that you plan to utilize in your own paper. Essay conclusions are often a kind of explanatory paragraphs because they summarize and reiterate the main ideas discussed in the paper. Explanatory paragraphs contain the following elements in order: 1. Begin with a topic sentence or a transition. 2. Following the topic sentence, there is an in-depth explanation without corroborating evidence, although if the explanation is of someone elses ideas, you must cite this person. 3. The paragraph closes with either a summation. C. Evidential Paragraphs Evidential paragraphs are sometimes used to allow the writer to provide more evidence for a particular point made in a standard paragraph. These paragraphs act as an extension of the point made in the previous paragraph by supplementing the points with further, important evidence. In some fields, like in psychology where individual case studies are often used, there are occasions when there will be several evidential paragraphs for each sub point since the amount of evidence gathered is important to the proving of the point. Evidential paragraphs contain the following elements in order: 1. Begin with a topic sentence or a transition that reiterates the main point of the previous paragraph to remind the reader of the point under consideration. Paragraphs do not begin with quotations or other kinds of evidence. 2. Next, the writer introduces the next piece of evidence for the point as outlined for standard academic paragraphs above. 3. Then the writer provides the actual proof or evidence, followed by the necessary documentation as outlined above. 4. Next, writer must again explain the meaning of the evidence as outlined previously. [Repeat steps 2, 3, and 4 as needed to provide additional, corroborating evidence. To avoid unwieldy paragraphs, keep in mind that a paragraph must have a sense of unity and that usually academic paragraphs run about 1/2 a double-spaced page in length. Therefore, put like evidence together in a paragraph, but use separate evidential paragraphs for items that defy categorization or if you have an overwhelming amount of evidence that you feel must be presented.] 5. The paragraph closes with either a summation of the point and, perhaps some kind of transition to the next point. D. Introductory Paragraphs All essays contain some kind of introductory paragraph or paragraphs. Often, this is where we feel that we can be the most creative in our writing because there are so many ways to begin an essay. Introductory paragraphs usually begin with a hook to draw the reader into the paper and, most often, end with the overall thesis of the paper. Sometimes the thesis includes a forecast of the papers major points. The hook might be a pithy quote, a brief anecdote, or hypothetical situation. Hooks can also be overviews of the problem or of current research on the subject. When using a hook, keep in mind that it should be handled like evidence; thus, it must be clearly introduced, documented, and explained. And, like evidence, it should be pithyshort and to the point. You dont want the reader getting lost in the hook and never get to the point of the paper. In short papers, of 900-1200 words, introductions are usually one paragraph in length. In longer papers, they may run two to three paragraphs. In books, they could run to a whole chapter. Stereotypically, the academic conclusion is merely a repeat of the essays main points and overall thesis. A truly innovative conclusion may repeat the essential point, but suggest other avenues to pursue with the topicsuggesting your awareness that you are only one voice in an on-going discussion of the topic. E. Standard Paragraph Checklist Use the following checklist to analyze the format of your papers paragraphs. If a particular paragraph does not fit the standard format, re-evaluate it: does it at least fit the format of an explanatory, evidential, or introductory paragraph and is its format consistent with the purpose of the paragraph?

Statistics Project :: Papers

My task during this statistics coursework is to gather relevant information regarding the memories of people with regard to many different factors. I shall need to create numerous hypotheses that are sensible and are practical to carry out, get information relevant to the hypotheses and present the data in different methods which are relevant to the experiment. Hypothesis My primary hypothesis is that pictures are easier to memorise than words, and words are easier to memorise rather than numbers. I have come to this prediction as I personally find pictures easier to remember because you can relate it to something and it is visual, visual objects are said to be easier to memorise. Secondly words are easier to memorise than numbers because words can be easily related to ones thinking and therefore people can remember them easily while numbers are harder to relate. However all this is based on what technique an individual uses to memorise things. My secondary hypothesis is that females have better memories than men, I have decided to test this as this is what most women stereotype, especially after they are married the husband I always the one forgetting everyone while the wife remembers every single detail even the tiniest thing such as their anniversary. My third Hypothesis is that memory declines as a person becomes older, I have based this theory on that the younger members of the family remember my birthday but the older ones as they get older begin to forget, and because they forget when you remind them you get double the present. So I am testing this theory to see if my free wealth is going to increase as I get older or decrease. How will I test my hypothesis? I will test my hypothesis in this question firstly by using the secondary evidence which will be provided to me via my mediocre school. This is a survey testing both males and females in years 7, 10, and 12. They will be tested on their memory of pictures, words and

Persuasive Bullying Speech Essay

Are you tired of being bullied in school or at work? Are you angry or frustrated because of being bullied, or have you been accused of bullying? Bullying became a personal issue for me about two years ago. My oldest daughter came home from school in tears. The children that had been her closest friends and playmates turned on her while she spent time in the hospital undergoing testing for her epilepsy. They told her that they killed a beloved pet, cut its head off and ran it up a flagpole. Next, they wrote in the bathroom â€Å"We hate you and want you gone†, and signed their names. She had belongings destroyed, and was treated horribly. She also received text messages from the kids who were bullying her, the first two seemed innocent, â€Å"hello†, â€Å"are you Rebecca†, then came â€Å"are we going out tonight†, and â€Å"are you my f†¦ lover. † The school did nothing, using the excuse â€Å"Kids will be kids†, and the police department refused to enforce anti bullying laws. The officer that we spoke to was the same officer that had given a cyber-bullying lecture to the kids just the week before. He told them to come to him anytime with this problem and he would help them, yet when our daughter spoke with him, his response (as well as the Juvenile Prosecutors office) was what do you want us to do. see more:anti bullying speech Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon scenario in today’s schools. According to Lexlee’s Kids. com statics show that every 7 minutes a child is bullied, and 85% of the time no one intervenes. I would like to take a few minutes of your time to speak about anti bullying laws and some of their flaws, the definition and types of bullying, and what drives some children to commit suicide because of the problem and some resources where you can get support on bullying. It is time that we all take a stand, and protect our children. First, anti-bullying legislation has been in the forefront since 1999 beginning with the massacre in Columbine which killed 13 people, wounded 24, and the suicide of the two shooters, yet it is only getting worse. A year later the US Secret Service released an analysis showing that in 37 premeditated school shootings bullying that reached â€Å"torment† was the root cause. They estimate that 60-80 percent of children are bullied at school. Also 1 in 3 young people have experienced cyber threats. Over 25 percent adolescents and teens have been bullied repeatedly through cell phones and internet, and over half of these young people do not tell their parents and one in 5 is reported to the police. According to the United States Dept of Justice, it is reaching â€Å"Pandemic† levels. 49 states have anti bullying laws, with Montana being the only one not having passed legislation. One of the problems is that there are too many gaps in the laws, and the laws are not clear. In Georgia, a boy named Jaheem was being bullied in school, and he committed suicide. The authorities refused to act because in Georgia, anti-bullying laws are only for children in grades 6-12, the reason, Jaheem was in 5th grade. In the Tyler Clementi suicide case in New Jersey the people who bullied him were charged with 15 offences including intimidation and bias, making this a hate crime against a gay man. According to campusprogress. org New Jersey has introduced legislation named in honor of Tyler that prohibits harassment of students for such reasons as race, sex, religion, sexual orientation, ect, and makes cyber-bullying a form of harassment. Second, according to bullyonline. com bullying is the persistent unwelcome behavior, mostly using unwarranted or invalid criticism, nitpicking, fault finding, exclusion, isolation, being singled out and treated differently, being shouted at, humiliated, excessive monitoring, verbal and written warnings imposed, or in the workplace distorted allegations of underperformance. Bullying can come in many shapes and forms, from name calling, physical contact, gang, road rage, cell phones, text messages, email, and social websites. We can all agree that bullying is wrong, and that we all know someone who it has happened to. However, what have you done to help someone who is being bullied? If the answer is nothing, then you are just as guilty as the person/ people actually committing the act. What is the solution to stop this growing epidemic? States can pass laws, but it will take courage from both the victims and bystanders to make sure that the laws are enforced. After all isn’t a student’s safety just as important as test scores?

Interview About My Grandma And My Pastor - 1307 Words

For this assignment, I chose to interview my grandma and my pastor. My grandma (my dad’s mom) lives in Yakima, Washington and is 80 years old. My pastor is 65 years old and lives in Duncan, Oklahoma. My grandma said this interview was fun and made her think. She lost her husband when she was 71 years old. She lives alone and is responsible for all of her personal care needs such as hygiene, house cleaning, and yard work. She has a neighbor from her church that helps her with any work that involves using a ladder. Her grocery shopping and meal preparation hasn’t changed too much, but she tries to eat healthy and is a lifetime member of weight watchers. She had her left knee replaced and is having her right one done this summer. Her knees†¦show more content†¦She lives by honesty and integrity. She tries to please and honor God in all she does. The best age of her life was 47. She moved to Edmonds, Washington, had a great job, and went on a trip to Hawaii with her parents and both of her brothers. She was also in good health and able to still run a marathon. The president she admires the most is Ronald Regan because he lifted the spirits of the nation and was also h er governor in California. My pastor’s answers are very diverse from my grandmas. He is responsible for all his personal care needs, but his wife does the cooking and cleaning. He does not have any trouble doing these things. His grocery shopping and eating habits have not changed. The only body change he has noticed is that his body aches more and his joints are stiff and inflamed. He takes anti-inflammatory medication everyday along with extra strength Advil to manage knee pain. He goes to the doctor about 4-5 times a year. His social life hasn’t changed much. He and his wife pastor our church so they are very social and they also have a small ranch. They are extremely busy people and he says he works more now than he did 10 years ago. He is not retired and he doesn’t intend to retire. He said he doesn’t do a whole lot of activities because most of his time is spent in the church or on the ranch. His exercise consists of manual work everyday; working with cattle, plowing cropland, building corrals, fencing, and gardening. He said â€Å"you name it, there is plentyShow MoreRelatedReflection About Religious Beliefs1868 Words   |  8 Pagesdefault. My parents grew up in a time and place where it was seemingly the only option. Growing up, religious traditions, like praying, were often very cursory in nature. However, I never doubted my parents’ belief in a higher power. My religious beliefs have been shaped by many events and moments of self-reflection. Today, I look back and I can see just how much the actions and beliefs of different people has shaped what I believe today. The people I will focus on in this essay are my grandmother