Tema 4.

From Sentence to Paragraph

Reading

Paragraphs and their structure:

Paragraphs are the basic building blocks of texts. Well-organized paragraphs help
readers understand the argument and help writers to structure their ideas effectively.

Read the following paragraphs.

1. Sentence Functions in Paragraph Development

The sentences in most well-written paragraphs may be analyzed into four general
functions. First, there are paragraph introducers, which are sentences that establish the topic focus
of a paragraph as a whole. Second, there are paragraph developers, which present examples or
details of various kinds that support the ideas set forth by the paragraph introducers. Third,
there are viewpoint or context modulators, which are sentences that provide a smooth transition
between different sets of ideas. Fourth, there are paragraph terminators, which logically
conclude the ideas discussed in the paragraph in a psychologically satisfying manner. Not all
pieces of writing will conform to this analysis; however, most successful paragraphs usually
contain some combination of these four sentence types. (117 words)

Sentence type Role Words

1. topic Establishes the topic focus 13-20
sentence/introducer
2. developers Bring examples and details 20
3. modulators Make a transition form one (set of) idea(s) to another 20
4. terminator Provide a logical conclusion 17-20

Key words: paragraph, introducer, developer, modulator

Link words: first, second, third, fourth

2. Customers and Banks

The way we use banks is currently changing. This is partly because of the introduction
of new technology in the last ten years. The personal computer and the internet, for instance,
allow customers to view their accounts at home and perform operations such as moving
money between accounts. At the same time banks are being reorganized in ways that affect
both customers and staff. In the past five years over 3,000 bank branches have closed in Britain.
The banks have discovered that staffing call centers is cheaper than running a branch network.

The structure of this paragraph is:

1. topic sentence The way we use banks …
2. reason This is partly because …
3. example The personal computer …
4. details At the same time banks …
5. further details In the past five …
6. reason The banks have discovered …
 Sentence combining exercises.

To make a text as concise and informative as possible, things may be said in various patterns. In the table below, three versions of the same
informative type of sentences are presented in a gradual transformation. These ten sentences form a paragraph.
.
Consider the following sentences:
1. An unbroken series of simple
sentences is dull.
2. It is boring.
3. It is often difficult to read.
4. There is an explanation for this.
5. People have learned to expect variety.
6. They expect it in every aspect of their
lives.
7. They like to eat different types of
food.
8. They like to wear different types of
clothing.
9. They like to read different types of
sentences.
10. They like to read different types of
sentences as much as anything else.
Version 1
An unbroken series of simple
sentences is dull; it is boring; and
it is often difficult to read.
There is an explanation for this:
people have learned to expect
variety.
They expect it in every aspect of
their lives.
They like to eat different types of
food; they like to wear different
types of clothing; and they like to
read different types of sentences.
They like different types of
sentences as much as anything
else.
Version 2
An unbroken series of simple
sentences is dull, boring; and it
is often difficult to read.
The explanation is that: people
have learned to expect variety
in every aspect of their lives.
They like to eat different types
of food, wear different types of
clothing; and (as much as
anything else) read different
types of sentences.
Version 3
Apart from being dull and
boring, unbroken series of
simple sentences is often
difficult to read. Why?
Because people have
learned to expect variety in
every aspect of their lives.
They like to read different
types of sentences as much
as they like to eat different
types of food or wear
different types of clothing

Now that you have read the model, please try your skills to process the following set of sentences into as concise paragraphs as possible. In
your endeavor, please consider the two examples on the preceding page.

The Giant Hoax

1. Things are not always what they seem. 33. Two thousand people came each weekend.
2. This is so even in the world of archaeology.
3. That world is respected. 34. Hull was crafty.
4. In 1869 a ten-foot giant was unearthed in a field. 35. Hull knew he must sell the giant before his plot was
5. The giant was stone. exposed.
6. The field was a farmer’s. 36. A week past after the giant was discovered.
7. The field was in Cardiff, New York. 37. Hull sold a three-quarter interest in the statue.
8. The giant was proclaimed to be a petrified man. 38. He sold it for $30.000.
9. It was proclaimed to be a relic from prehistoric times. 39. People suspected that the figure was a hoax.
10. This proclamation was made immediately. 40. Their suspicions were intensifying.
11. But behind the discovery was a farmer. 41. In spite of this crowds continued to visit the figure.
12. The farmer was fast-taking. 42. Finally, Hull could no longer deny the evidence.
13. Also behind the discovery were the farmer’s accomplices. 43. The evidence was mounting.
44. It was December.
14. The discovery became known as the Cardiff giant. 45. Hull admitted the hoax.
15. It was the brain child of George Hull and a partner. 46. But the statue still drew crowds.
16. George Hull and his partner had hired sculptors.
17. The sculptors were to carve the statue. 47. The Cardiff giant is still on view.
18. Hull poured sulfuric acid over the statue. 48. It is at the Farmer’s Museum in Cooperstown, New York.
19. He did this when the statue was completed. 49. It is no longer seen as an archaeological relic.
20. The acid gave the statue a more aged look. 50. It is seen as something intriguing.
21. The figure was then shipped to the farm of Hull’s friend. 51. It is seen as a curiosity from America’s past.
22. Hull’s friend was William C Newell.
23. Newell buried the statue behind his barn.
24. The statue lay behind the barn for about a year.
25. Newell hired workmen in October 1869.
26. The workmen were to dig a well on the spot.
27. The workmen were unsuspecting.
28. They dug deeper.
29. Eventually, the form of the giant was seen.
30. The form was emerging.
31. Word of the ‘prehistoric discovery’ spread quickly.
32. Soon Newell was charging 50 cents admission.