2019-10-29 Writing: paragraph structure, unity

Greg Malivuk
gmalivuk@staffordhouse.com
http://www.pastebin.com/u/gmalivuk - Notes from all classes
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A paragraph should start with a topic sentence that includes the topic and a controlling idea for the paragraph.
The controlling idea tells readers what information about that topic the paragraph will include.
(The thesis statement for a whole essay also does this.)
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Topic sentence exercises on the board.
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p. 48 - With your same partner, add supporting points for each topic sentence. (Write three supporting sentences. Don’t worry about transitions like “First” or “In addition”.)
2 They have a lot of classes.
  They have to get good grades.
  They have to prepare for finding jobs.
3 They help pay the rent.
  They can help pay the bills.
  You have good food.
  They can help clean your room and wash your clothes.
4 They are focused.
  They are organized.
  They should have determination.
  They receive financial assistance.
  They have a lot of energy.
5 You can have close relationships.
  You can meet new friends fast.
  It’s easier to be organized.
  Teachers can focus more on students.
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In writing, unity is the characteristic of having all the sentences about the same main idea. (Within a paragraph, they’re all about the topic of that paragraph. Each paragraph is about the overall thesis of the writing.)
In other words, every part of the writing is relevant.
If a sentence is irrelevant, you can remove it, or you can add to it in order to make a clearer connection to the topic.
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Homework: p. 51-52 - Cross out the irrelevant sentences.