Get the Rules and Best Practices for Writing Paragraphs

Get the Rules and Best Practices for Writing Paragraphs The definition of a paragraph: Its a group of closely related sentences that develops a central idea, conventionally beginning on a new line, which is sometimes  indented. The paragraph has been variously defined as a subdivision in a longer written passage, a group of sentences (or sometimes just one sentence) about a specific topic, and a grammatical unit typically consisting of multiple sentences that together express a complete thought. In his 2006 book A Dash of Style, Noah Lukeman describes the paragraph break as one of the most crucial marks in the punctuation world. Etymology:  Paragraph is from the Greek word which means to write beside. Observations A new paragraph is a wonderful thing. It lets you quietly change the rhythm, and it can be like a flash of lightning that shows the same landscape from a different aspect. (Babel, Isaac interviewed by Konstantin Paustovsky in Isaac Babel Talks About Writing, The Nation, March 31, 1969.) 10 Effective Paragraph Criteria Lois Laase and Joan Clemmons offer the following list of 10 helpful suggestions for writing paragraphs. This is adapted from their book, Helping Students Write... The Best Research Reports Ever: Easy Mini-Lessons, Strategies, and Creative Formats to Make Research Manageable and Fun. Keep the paragraph on one topic.Include a topic sentence.Use supporting sentences that give ​details or facts about the topic.Include vivid words.Make sure it does not have run-on sentences.Include sentences that make sense and stick to the topic.Sentences should be in order and make sense.Write sentences that begin in different ways.Make sure the sentences flow.Be sure sentences are mechanically correct - spelling, punctuation, capitalization, indentation. Topic Sentences in Paragraphs Although the topic sentence is often the first sentence of the paragraph, it does not have to be. Furthermore, the topic sentence is sometimes restated or echoed at the end of the paragraph, although again it does not have to be. However, a well-phrased concluding sentence can emphasize the central idea of the paragraph as well as provide a nice balance and ending. A paragraph is not a constraining formula; in fact, it has variations. In some instances, for example, the topic sentence is not found in a single sentence. It may be the combination of two sentences, or it may be an easily understood but unwritten underlying idea that unifies the paragraph. Nevertheless, the paragraph in most college writing contains discussion supporting a stated topic sentence.... (Brandon, Lee. At a Glance: Paragraphs, 5th ed., Wadsworth, 2012.) Rules of Paragraphing As an advanced writer, you know that rules are made to be broken. But that is not to say that these rules are useless. Sometimes it is good to avoid a one-sentence paragraph - it can sound too brisk and implies a lack of penetration and analysis. Sometimes, or perhaps most of the time, it is good to have a topic sentence. But the awful fact is that when you look closely at a professional writers work, you will see that the topic sentence is often missing. In that case, we sometimes say it is implied, and perhaps that is true. But whether we want to call it implied or not, it is obvious that good writers can get along without topic sentences most of the time. Likewise, it is not a bad idea to develop only one idea in a paragraph, but frankly, the chance of developing several ideas often arises and sometimes doing so even characterizes the writing of professionals. (Jacobus, Lee A. Substance, Style, and Strategy, Oxford University Press, 1998.) Strunk and White on Paragraph Length In general, remember that paragraphing calls for a good eye as well as a logical mind. Enormous blocks of print look formidable to readers, who are often reluctant to tackle them. Therefore, breaking long paragraphs in two, even if it is not necessary to do so for sense, meaning, or logical development, is often a visual help. But remember, too, that firing off many short paragraphs in quick succession can be distracting. Paragraph breaks used only for show read like the writing of commerce or of display advertising. Moderation and a sense of order should be the main considerations in paragraphing. (Strunk, Jr., William and E.B. White, The Elements of Style, 3rd ed., Allyn Bacon, 1995.) Uses of One-Sentence Paragraphs Three situations in essay writing can occasion a one-sentence paragraph: (a) when you want to emphasize a crucial point that might otherwise be buried; (b) when you want to dramatize a transition from one stage in your argument to the next; and (c) when instinct tells you that your reader is tiring and would appreciate a mental rest. The one-sentence paragraph is a great device. You can italicize with it, vary your pace with it, lighten your voice with it, signpost your argument with it. But it’s potentially dangerous. Don’t overdo your dramatics. And be sure your sentence is strong enough to withstand the extra attention it’s bound to receive when set off by itself. Houseplants wilt in direct sun. Many sentences do as well. (Trimble, John R. Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing. Prentice Hall, 2000.) Paragraph Length in Business and Technical Writing A paragraph should be just long enough to deal adequately with the subject of its topic sentence. A new paragraph should begin whenever the subject changes significantly. A series of short, undeveloped paragraphs can indicate poor organization and sacrifice unity by breaking an idea into several pieces. A series of long paragraphs, however, can fail to provide the reader with manageable subdivisions of thought. Paragraph length should aid the readers understanding of idea. (Alred, Gerald J., Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu, The Business Writers Handbook, 10th ed., Bedford/St. Martins, 2012.) The Paragraph as a Device of Punctuation The paragraph is a device of punctuation. The indentation by which it is marked implies no more than an additional breathing space. Like the other marks of punctuation...it may be determined by logical, physical, or rhythmical needs. Logically it may be said to denote the full development of a single idea, and this indeed is the common definition of the paragraph. It is, however, in no way an adequate or helpful definition. (Read, Herbert. English Prose Style, Beacon, 1955.) Scott and Dennys Definition of a Paragraph A paragraph is a unit of discourse developing a single idea. It consists of a group or series of sentences closely related to one another and to the thought expressed by the whole group or series. Devoted, like the sentence, to the development of one topic, a good paragraph is also, like a good essay, a complete treatment in itself. (Scott, Fred Newton, and Joseph Villiers Denny, Paragraph-Writing: A Rhetoric for Colleges, rev. ed., Allyn and Bacon, 1909.) Development of the Paragraph in English The paragraph as we know it comes into something like settled shape in Sir William Temple (1628-1699). It was the product of perhaps five chief influences. First, the tradition, derived from the authors and scribes of the Middle Ages, that the paragraph-mark distinguishes a stadium of thought. Second, the Latin influence, which was rather towards disregarding the paragraph as the sign of anything but emphasis - the emphasis-tradition being also of medieval origin; the typical writers of the Latin influence are Hooker and Milton. Third, the natural genius of the Anglo-Saxon structure, favorable to the paragraph. Fourth, the beginnings of popular writing - of what may be called the oral style, or consideration for a relatively uncultivated audience. Fifth, the study of French prose, in this respect a late influence, allied in its results with the third and fourth influences. (Lewis, Herbert Edwin. The History of the English Paragraph, 1894.) 19c writers reduced the lengths of their paragraphs, a process that has continued in the 20c, particularly in journalism, advertisements, and publicity materials. (McArthur, Tom. Paragraph. The Oxford Companion to the English Language, Oxford University Press,  1992.)

Media literacy Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Media literacy - Essay Example Following several clashes with swords in series of fierce mortal combats, the duo, Jack and Will attempt to recapture the Black Pearl Ship, relinquish a fortune in forbidden treasure and save the British navy thereby lifting the curse of the pirates, (Solway, 2008). Redbank (2007) affirms that the film’s complexity was achieved following a number of production technicalities. With numerous shootings, the first one being on October 9, 2002 in which Jack Sparrow steals the interceptor, the production team constantly changed the script to achieve their primary objective; a pirate movie with comical characters and a comical storyline with violence and politics incorporated. Trimble (2007) further documents that the film’s computer generated forms of the cursed crewmembers are relatively convincing, a feat achieved by the visual effect integrated by the production team. According to Wiratmoko (2009), the film’s production unit uses a series of filmic conventions and mythological images of characters like the masculine pirate Jack Sparrow to achieve the film’s objectives. Supplementary characters also supports the main character for example, Elizabeth Swan asks ‘Whose side is Jack on?’ to depict the ambiguity in Jack’s loyalty. Will replies, ‘at the moment?’ thereby depicting Jack’s unstable, contingent, ever changing and heterogeneous character, (Solway, 2008). Trimble (2007) however reveals that, a deeper analysis of Jack’s character reveals a strange aspect of piratical freedom and liberty from political manipulation. Comparative to the life on port Toruga, the society in Port Royal is too structured, lacking in freedom with all inhabitants obeying the preset political standards. Trimble (2007) notes that, the movie manages to bring out the free lifestyle which majority of civilized individuals seeks, a life in which individuals are allowed wild random adventures. According to Wiratmoko

Review of the Movie Bully Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Review of the Movie Bully - Essay Example We all know that movie making is a science in itself and the concerted effort of a team of talented and hard working individuals. Making a trailer is part of this process, in the sense that it works towards selling a movie that the team has worked hard to put together. With over 70% of the cinema industry now being dominated by Hollywood, there is also a dependence on the trailer of the movie when deciding if it is worth going spending the money to go watch a new movie or not. Therefore the trailer does play an important part and the making of the trailer can sell the movie as much as kill its revenue. We have often had the experience of coming out of a movie thinking that the movie trailer promised more than what the movie provided. That is the power of advertising. Based on this concept we can easily gauge that a trailer Has to be engaging enough to pique the curiosity of the audience. Has to give an idea of what the audience can expect from a movie. Has to be simple and easy for t he audience to relate to. Has to motivate them to go watch the movie. Based on the above, we will examine the movie trailer of â€Å"Bully†, a documentary based on the culture of bullying in schools around the United States. The documentary is directed by Lee Hirsch and was featured in the Tribeca Film festival in March 2011. The documentary takes us through many cities in the US and many elementary schools with stories of boys and girls who have been subjected to bullying and are relatively helpless in the situation. The movie project is one close to Hirsch’s heart as he himself was a victim of bullying in school. (Itman, 2011). The trailer of the movie, as seen on iTunes Movie trailers (2012) takes us through this journey in a way that is very different from what one would expect from such a powerful theme. Bullying in high schools is not a new issue; it is one that we are all familiar with, either by personal experience or association. Therefore the trailer does not need to sell the concept of bullying in schools. We already know that it is not acceptable and can have terrible consequences. Instead the trailer focuses on the reactions of the school board and the callous attitude shown towards the bullying by teachers and the school authorities. We even have a scene where there is a clipping of a child, Alex being strangled by a bully in the school bus and immediately after that is a clip where the school administrator claims that she has been on the same bus and noticed no such thing, in fact she goes further and describes them â€Å"as good as gold† (iTunes Trailer, 2012). Right there, the effect is created. There is a feeling of shocked speechlessness and the audience involuntarily gasp when watching that. â€Å"13 million kids will be bullied in the US this year† (iTunes Trailer, 2012). The trailer starts with that shocking message and then trails off into a series of interviews, reflections and demonstrations with a catchy an d happy upbeat tune in the background score, making the combination truly dramatic. It is a documentary based on a very serious and alarming issue but it seems to be focused more towards a positive theme, which children who have been bullied can relate to. There is a feeling of hope that is conveyed through the trailer. We are given a gist of the problem, a sense of the indifferent attitude of the school author

MIH521 - Health Program Evaluation Mod 3 Case Assignment Essay

MIH521 - Health Program Evaluation Mod 3 Case Assignment - Essay Example This paper will discuss the evaluation issues that may need to be approached for the after school program According to Glasgow, Vogt, & Boles, (1999), there are five dimensions that should be used in evaluating a public health program. Those include reach, efficacy, adoption, implementation, and maintenance. Each of these dimensions looks at the functionality of an existing program. The reach of the program tells us how many people are able to use the program. This information should tell us whether the program is functioning the way it stands or whether it needs to be increased or decreased in size. We might ask the following questions: This information might be found by looking at local information from school statistics as well as a questionnaire to parents. Logs kept to track patients that have come to the program will also be helpful. Evaluation of the implementation of a program tells us whether we missed anything. Patton defines evaluation as a systematic approach and collection of information about programs characteristics, activities, and outcomes in an effort to improve effectiveness. Is the program being delivered to the public in such a way as was understood in the beginning? It also tells whether the program is effective. This can only be done by reviewing the programs design and goals and see if that is what is really happening. Lastly, like any program, there is maintenance of these programs also. Once a program is out there functioning, it is quite easy to just let it be. Maintaining it means consistently re-evaluating, changing, and putting back in place. This should be a continuous circle. There are a couple of other things that should be looked at and evaluated for new and old programs. Those are the mission and values, the market needs of the program, the clinical and service quality and the financial needs of the

The Effects of Long Term Tumour Diagnosis and the Disease of Cancer Essay

The Effects of Long Term Tumour Diagnosis and the Disease of Cancer - Essay Example I've found that not only does this disease place a strain on the patient but on those managing the patients care as well, myself included. That is why it is imperative to have managing goals obvious in the treatment regimen so that there is always an avid awareness of what the next step of treatment is going to be. This is a positive reinforcement not only for the patient, but for my role as the assisting nurse as well, along with the other medical professionals caring for him or her. Through my years of experience I've learned that breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women who develop a form of this disease. The treatments are varied depending upon the individuals own diagnosis and symptoms. Furthermore, medical professionals, especially nurses like me can have a difficult time managing the care regimen of women with breast cancer simply due to the fact that many women's perceptions of their risks and management of the disease are highly varied (McDonald 2002, p.183). Also, being faced with a diagnosis such as breast cancer is scary and an individual develops high anxiety and many fears. This is where the medical staff such as nurses and other medical professionals should provide counselling and understanding to ensure that the management of the disease does not interfere with the patients' mental health, which can be very difficult to do (Aldridge-Clanton 1998, p. 109). I've ran into this problem innumerable amounts of time, especially in re gards to how they feel about their bodies and what they are afraid their life will be like following the treatment process. Many patients state that just deciding on what treatment to choose can promote fear and worry in their minds. Also physicians can complicate the problem if they don't manage the care effectively. Therefore there can not be instances such as conflicting opinions among physicians because it only complicates the treatment for the patient (Aldridge-Clanton 1998, p.110). Furthermore, another issue that can concrete upon the problems is the idea women have about breast cancer and being diagnosed with it. Much of this is due to the fact of the idea that women have of breast cancer, of it basically being a hereditary form of cancer and those who do not have a family history of it don't tend to feel screening and other routine testing is much of a necessity. Therefore, I've found that I need to provide affirmation to many of the patients that anyone is susceptible to developing breast cancer, even those without a hereditary history. Sometimes this can be hard to do in gaining my patients understanding. Therefore, many patients false assumptions can lead to a variety of problems as medical history can attest too. Although 20% of women can have a family history of breast cancer only 5% to 10% are actually caused by the hereditary gene. Therefore it is imperative for nurses (such as myself) and medical care providers to stress the importance of mandatory sc reening and check-up's for breast cancer among all age groups and ethnicities

Financial strengths and weaknesses of Primax, Alpha and Beta; Essay

Financial strengths and weaknesses of Primax, Alpha and Beta; - Essay Example Some accountants contend that Bank Overdraft should be treated as a long-term liability since that arrangement with the bank is is almost permanent (so long as the enterprise is a going concern). On the other hand, some accountants that contend that Bank Overdraft should be treated as a current liability since this facility may be withdrawn by the bank at any time. As a conservative measure of short-term financial position, Bank Overdraft has been considered as a current liability in the current instance. The current ratios of both the firms are nearly same but when compared to that of Primax both of them are well below the desired level. However, there could be firms that have low current ratios but work efficiently as is the case in fast food industry. This is so because current ratio does not analyze the quality of current assets which might contain obsolete stocks or slow paying and doubtful debtors. In the current instance it is observed that while Alpha has cash worth 43, Beta does not have any cash balances. Hence, though current ratio of Alpha is lesser than Beta, from a broader perspective, between the two; Alpha is in a better position than Beta (C. C. D. Consultants Inc. 2009). Quick Ratio = (Current Assets – Stock)/(Current Liabilities) Quick Ratio of Primax = (3399-1102)/1098 = 2.09 Quick Ratio of Alpha = (525-306)/745 = 0.29 Quick Ratio of Beta = (636-224)/853 = 0.48 If we consider Primax’s quick ratio as a benchmark, both these firms fall woefully short of that, but of the two, Beta seems to be in a better position provided of course its trade receivables are all good without any possibility of bad debts or slow recovery. Solvency Ratios Solvency Ratios evaluate long-term capability of a business... One of the most popular tools of identifying financial strengths and weaknesses of an enterprise is through Accounting Ratio that could be used by a financial analyst to qualitatively evaluate the financial status and level of performance of an organization. This project analyses in detail financial strengths and weaknesses of Primax, Alpha and Beta; three firms engaged in manufacturing furniture. While Primax among them is most financially sound the other two firms are not doing that well financially. Any business consists of a series of interrelated processes that operate in tandem to produce the final output that the consumer wants. Kaplan and Norton have identified certain groups or bundle of activities that should be considered as independent units for the purpose of evaluating the efficiency of the entire business process. These independent units are: operations management, customer management, innovations, regulatory compliance and social responsibility in that order of import ance. Efficiency of a business enterprise in each of these sectors should be independently measured and the overall efficiency of the business enterprise would be calculated as a weighted average of these independent measures. Unless an enterprise can satisfy its customers it cannot exist. The best way to do it is to identify the most profitable group of customers and focus marketing efforts in wooing this group. However, the costs of such an exercise should never exceed the tangible benefits obtained from it.

The Effects of Long Term Tumour Diagnosis and the Disease of Cancer Essay

The Effects of Long Term Tumour Diagnosis and the Disease of Cancer - Essay Example I've found that not only does this disease place a strain on the patient but on those managing the patients care as well, myself included. That is why it is imperative to have managing goals obvious in the treatment regimen so that there is always an avid awareness of what the next step of treatment is going to be. This is a positive reinforcement not only for the patient, but for my role as the assisting nurse as well, along with the other medical professionals caring for him or her. Through my years of experience I've learned that breast cancer is one of the leading causes of death for women who develop a form of this disease. The treatments are varied depending upon the individuals own diagnosis and symptoms. Furthermore, medical professionals, especially nurses like me can have a difficult time managing the care regimen of women with breast cancer simply due to the fact that many women's perceptions of their risks and management of the disease are highly varied (McDonald 2002, p.183). Also, being faced with a diagnosis such as breast cancer is scary and an individual develops high anxiety and many fears. This is where the medical staff such as nurses and other medical professionals should provide counselling and understanding to ensure that the management of the disease does not interfere with the patients' mental health, which can be very difficult to do (Aldridge-Clanton 1998, p. 109). I've ran into this problem innumerable amounts of time, especially in re gards to how they feel about their bodies and what they are afraid their life will be like following the treatment process. Many patients state that just deciding on what treatment to choose can promote fear and worry in their minds. Also physicians can complicate the problem if they don't manage the care effectively. Therefore there can not be instances such as conflicting opinions among physicians because it only complicates the treatment for the patient (Aldridge-Clanton 1998, p.110). Furthermore, another issue that can concrete upon the problems is the idea women have about breast cancer and being diagnosed with it. Much of this is due to the fact of the idea that women have of breast cancer, of it basically being a hereditary form of cancer and those who do not have a family history of it don't tend to feel screening and other routine testing is much of a necessity. Therefore, I've found that I need to provide affirmation to many of the patients that anyone is susceptible to developing breast cancer, even those without a hereditary history. Sometimes this can be hard to do in gaining my patients understanding. Therefore, many patients false assumptions can lead to a variety of problems as medical history can attest too. Although 20% of women can have a family history of breast cancer only 5% to 10% are actually caused by the hereditary gene. Therefore it is imperative for nurses (such as myself) and medical care providers to stress the importance of mandatory sc reening and check-up's for breast cancer among all age groups and ethnicities