ASSIGMENT 6

Name : Pramesti Nurhaliza Alifani

NIM : 1116030034

Class : 3 Building Construction 2

How to Write a Good Paragraph: A Step-by-Step Guide

Source :
https://awc.ashford.edu/PDFHandouts%5CHow%20to%20Write%20a%20Good%20Paragraph_final.
pdf

Writing well composed academic paragraphs can be tricky. The following is a guide on how to draft,
expand, refine, and explain your ideas so that you write clear, well-developed paragraphs and
discussion posts:

Step 1: Decide the Topic of Your Paragraph

Before you can begin writing, you need to know what you are writing about. First, look at the writing
prompt or assignment topic. As you look at the prompt, note any key terms or repeated phrases
because you will want to use those words in your response. Then ask yourself:

• On what topic am I supposed to be writing?

• What do I know about this topic already?

• If I don’t know how to respond to this assignment, where can I go to find some answers?

• What does this assignment mean to me? How do I relate to it?

After looking at the prompt and doing some additional reading and research, you should better
understand your topic and what you need to discuss.

Step 2: Develop a Topic Sentence Before writing a paragraph

It is important to think first about the topic and then what you want to say about the topic. Most often,
the topic is easy, but the question then turns to what you want to say about the topic. This concept is
sometimes called the controlling idea.

Strong paragraphs are typically about one main idea or topic, which is often explicitly stated in a topic
sentence. Good topic sentences should always contain both (1) a topic and (2) a controlling idea.

The topic – The main subject matter or idea covered in the paragraph.

The controlling idea – This idea focuses the topic by providing direction to the composition.

Read the following topic sentences. They all contain a topic (in orange) and a controlling idea (in
purple). When your paragraphs contain a clearly stated topic sentence such as one of the following,
your reader will know what to expect and, therefore, understand your ideas better.

Examples of topic sentences:

• People can avoid plagiarizing by taking certain precautions.

• There are several advantages to online education.

• Effective leadership requires specific qualities that anyone can develop.

Step 3: Demonstrate Your Point After stating your topic sentence

You need to provide information to prove, illustrate, clarify, and/or exemplify your point.

Ask yourself:

• What examples can I use to support my point?

• What information can I provide to help clarify my thoughts?

• How can I support my point with specific data, experiences, or other factual material?

• What information does the reader need to know in order to see my point?

Here is a list of the kinds of information you can add to your paragraph:

Proprietary Information of Ashford University, Created by Academics, CR 215140

• Facts, details, reasons, examples

• Information from the readings or class discussions

• Paraphrases or short quotations

• Statistics, polls, percentages, data from research studies

• Personal experience, stories, anecdotes, examples from your life

Sometimes, adding transitional or introductory phrases like: for example, for instance, first, second, or
last can help guide the reader. Also, make sure you are citing your sources appropriately.

Step 4: Give Your Paragraph Meaning After you have given the reader enough information to see
and understand your point

You need to explain why this information is relevant, meaningful, or interesting.

Ask yourself:

• What does the provided information mean?

• How does it relate to your overall point, argument, or thesis?

• Why is this information important/significant/meaningful?

• How does this information relate to the assignment or course I am taking?

Step 5: Conclude After illustrating your point with relevant information

Add a concluding sentence. Concluding sentences link one paragraph to the next and provide another
device for helping you ensure your paragraph is unified. While not all paragraphs include a concluding
sentence, you should always consider whether one is appropriate. Concluding sentences have two
crucial roles in paragraph writing:
First, they draw together the information you have presented to elaborate your controlling idea by:

• Summarizing the point(s) you have made.

• Repeating words or phrases from the topic sentence.

• Using linking words that indicate that conclusions are being drawn (e.g., therefore, thus, resulting).

Second, they often link the current paragraph to the following paragraph. They may anticipate the topic
sentence of the next paragraph by:

• Introducing a word/phrase or new concept which will then be picked up in the topic sentence of the
next paragraph.

• Using words or phrases that point ahead (e.g., the following, another, other).

Step 6: Look Over and Proofread The last step in good paragraph writing is proofreading and revision.
Before you submit your writing, look over your work at least one more time. Try reading your paragraph
out loud to make sure it makes sense. Also, ask yourself these questions:

• Does my paragraph answer the prompt and support my thesis?

• Does it make sense? Does it use the appropriate academic voice?

How to write Academic Writing

Source : http://www.library.dmu.ac.uk/Support/Heat/index.php?page=488

1. Create an objective, confident voice

Use the third person (this means not using 'I')
Most of the time you will be expected to use the third person as it enables you to show
that you are being objective.
You could try using:
 This essay discusses the importance of ...
 This research shows that ...
 It could be said that ...

Consider your use of tenses

You need to be clear about whether you are discussing something that happened in the
past or something that is having an impact upon the present.

The present tense:

 Smith's argument illustrates that ...

 Freud's theory supports the view that...
 The past tense:

 The Industrial Revolution had an impact upon society in a number of different ways.
 The interviews were conducted with a group of parents in the Leicestershire area.

2. Use appropriate language for your audience and purpose

Academic writing need not be complicated, but it does need to have an element of
formality. Your choice of words for an academic assignment should be more considered
and careful.
Avoid contractions
 Rather than; 'don't', 'can't', 'it's', 'should've',
You could try: 'do not', 'cannot', 'it is', 'should have'

Use the full forms of words

 Rather than: 'TV', 'memo', or 'quote' You could try: 'television', 'memorandum' or
'quotation'

Avoid using informal words

 Rather than: Smith's bit of research is ok.

You could try: Smith's research is
significant because ...
 Rather than using words such as: 'get', 'got' or 'a lot'
You could try: 'obtain', 'obtained' or 'many'
3. Be clear and concise
Keep words simple:
Rather than: The denotation was obfuscated by the orator.
You could try: The meaning was hidden by the speaker.
Aim for the right word for the right occasion:
 Example 1: Crusade against crime
 Example 2: Campaign against crime
The word 'crusade' has connotations of a battle and is more aggressive in tone than
the word 'campaign'. 'Campaign' implies a more considered approach

Make every word count:

 Rather than: The theorist called Sigmund Freud wrote a significant piece of work called
On Narcissism which offers valuable insights into ...
You could try: Freud (1914) offers valuable insights into ...

Avoid any vague words or phrases:

 Ensure that your reader knows who or what you are referring to when you use words
such as: 'it', 'them', 'they'.
 Words such as 'people' and 'ideas' have the potential to be vague. So, avoid saying:
'according to many people'. Ensure that you explain which people or which ideas.
 When talking about events that have happened in the past, avoid phrases such as: 'in
the past' or 'in recent times'. You need to be specific.

Avoid using clichéd phrases:

 A cliché is a phrase or expression that is overused to such an extent that it losess its
value. For example, 'as bright as a button' or as 'clear as mud'.
4. Use language sensitively
Avoid expressing strong opinions too directly Academic writing is concerned with
presenting your discussion in an objective way, so there is no need to assert your
opinions too strongly
 Rather than: Smith has an extremely important point to make because
You could try: Smith's view is significant because ...
 So avoid words like: 'very', 'really', 'quite' and 'extremely'.
Lean towards caution
We need to be aware that our views are contributing to a much wider debate
surrounding your given topic. Your use of language must show that we you making
suggestions which contribute to this wider discussion:
 Rather than: 'This view is correct because ...'
 You could try: 'It could be said that ...', 'It appears that ...', 'It seems that ...'

Avoid using taboo language

In academic writing it is important not to offend your reader – you want her/him to
trust your judgment and authority. Using swear words or making offensive comments
will upset the balance of your writing and undermine your point of view

Do not stereotype, generalise or make assumptions

This especially applies to individuals or groups on the basis of their gender, race,
nationality, religion, physical and mental capacity, age, sexuality, marital status, or
political beliefs.

Your use of language should always remain neutral.

Rather than: fireman or policeman Try using: fire fighter or police officer

Rather than: mankind

Try using: humankind

Paragraph Example

Construction management has been a subject that people ask continuously because of
the trend that keep changing. Therefore construction management is a uncertain knowledge that
we as a reader has to keep studying because of the changing cycles. But because of that
uncertainty makes construction management become more desirable by college student for their
final project subject. The one subject that makes writers choose construction management as
writers study material for writers Final Project is construction method. In this globalization era,
the world changes rapidly and that makes us as the people who inhabit the earth must keep up
with the changes. As for today empty land in Jakarta is harder to get due to mass construction for
the pas few years. Making all the contractor that assigned to build a building think twice on how
to build a building without making building that surround is collapse because of the lost support
of the foundations.

In constructions world there is a new method, and that is Top Down construction
method. This method is very advance and unique to construct a building simultaneously both
directions up or down. This technique not only can be built at a limited space but also can reduce
construction time significantly. The installation of Diaphragm wall and ring slab that keeps top
down construction able to hold the pressure from the soil. There are some advantages of this
method. The shortened construction period due to simultaneous construction, highly suitable
for construction for tall building with deep basements to be constructed in urban areas, can be
installed in close proximity to existing structure with minimal loss of support to existing
foundations. But the construction method comes some disadvantages such as, higher cost, the
construction quality may influence, requires highly skilled supervision and labour force.

It is up to the contactor whether to use traditional method or use more advance method
to fulfil the needs of the owner.