What Is a Paragraph? A paragraph is a group of sentences about one topic or one idea, Learning to write a paragraph is an important academic skill. On the next few pages, you will find three example paragraphs—a comparison paragraph, a process paragraph, and a narrative paragraph. Each example shows what a good paragraph looks like. Studying an Example Paragraph ‘This paragraph is about two countries that are near each other but have many differences. Discuss the Preview Questions with your classmates. Then read the paragraph and answer the questions that follow. Preview Questions 1. What ate some things you could compare about tva cities or countries? 2. What things do you know about Brazil and Chile? Chile and Brazil Chile and Brazil are two important countries in South America. Although they are near each other, they are very different in geography, | although: contrast between two ideas; population, and language. The easiest difference to see is in geography, but Brazil is much larger than Chile. In fact, Brazil is the largest nation in the geography: the land of a place South America and takes up almost half of the entire South American, to take up: occupy continent. Brazil isso large that it shares a border with every South space American country except Chile and Ecuador. In contrast, Chile is a very rtine: whoteall narrow country along the Pacific Coast of South America. The widest Noperne point in this long country is only 160 miles (258 kilometers). These Selyes two countries also differ in population. Brazil is home to almost 200 pe million people, but only about 17 million people live in Chile. Finally, to differ (in): be these two countries differ in national languages. Like most countries in orterens South America, the majority of people in Chile speak Spanish. In Brazil, | the majority: more however, the most commonly spoken language is Portuguese because the olen Portuguese settled in Brazil in 1500. These three differences make these to settle: to come to . : lve ina new area countries extremely interesting. 4 UNIT 1+ ParagraphsPost-Reading 1, Which three things are being compared here? 2. Inyour own words, what are the two biggest differences? Begin your sentence like this: “The two biggest differences between ... 3. Make alist of thrce other things you know about each of these countries. (Interview classmates or consult the Internet if necessary.) ‘County 1: Country 2: 1 fUsing the Simple Present Tense with Facts Use the simple present to explain something that is stl true today. iva general fact, These two countries also differ in population. The majority of people in Chile speak Spanish The simple present uses the base form of the verb for , we, they, and you, and the -s form for he, she, and it and other third person nouns. The subject must agree with the verb in number (singular or plural. T7.We / They / You Brazilians speak He/She/It/The man speaks Portuguese. Look at Example Paragraph 1 on page 4 and answer the questions, 1, Draw two lines under each verb. What tense are most of the verbs? 2. One verb is in the simple past. Write it here. 3. Why is this verb in the simple past? Writer's Note Repetition Look again at the Example Paragraph 1 on page 4. + How many sentences are there in the paragraph? + How many times is the word Brazil the subject ofa sentence? + How many times is the word Chile the subject ofa sentence? ‘The words Braci! and Chile are repeated often because this isthe topic that is being explained and described. Repetition of key nouns is sometimes necessary to avoid confusion, For example, if ‘we use the word it five or six times in this paragraph, we might not know if we are talking about Brazil or about Chile. ESRD Wri 1g Practice ‘Think of something that is unique about you. t can be about your hobby, language, or family. Write five sentences about that topic. What verb tence will you woe? a 6 UNIT 1+ ParagraphsStudying an Example Paragraph A process paragraph tells how to do something. Discuss the Pré ‘Then read the paragraph and answer the questions that follow. few Questions with your classmates. Preview Questions 1. Can you cook? What are three things that you can cook by yourself? 2. Who taught you how to prepare them? Example Paragraph 2 i +0 bol cookin water at An Easy Sandwich bl tank ‘An egg salad sandwich is one ofthe easiest and most delicious | “2 Peet {0 xc anay the foods to make for lunch. First, boil two eggs for five minutes, Take a shell: the ouside covering them out of the water and let them cool off. Next, peel away the shells stensag ‘0 mash: to push down and and put the eggs into a bowl. Use a fork to mash them very well, Alter ‘reak nto smal pieces that, add three tablespoons of mayonnaise. Add a little salt and pepper. | th \gredients: the parts ‘to make something at least: the minimum atleast thirty minutes. Just before you are ready to ea, spread the number or amount of o a us ie Something thats required Mix these ingredients well. Put the egg salad in the refrigerator for egg salad on bread. Ifyou follow all these steps, you will certainly fo ipreodvia rae enjoy your creation, thing in many cfrectonsPost-Reading 1. What is the main purpose of this paragraph? (Why did the author write this paragraph?) 2. Do you know another easy recipe? Write the main steps of the recipe. Tell it to your classmates and then listen to your classmates present their recipes. Grammar for Writing Using the Imperative in Process Paragraphs Imperative sentences give directions or commands. Explanation Genes Use the bare form of the verb to begin an Mix these ingredients well imperative sentence. When you give written directions, the sequence or | First, boil two eggs for five minutes ‘order of the steps is important. Add a sequence | Next, peel away the shells word before the imperative. Sequence words include Fist, Second, Third, Next, Then, and Finally. Remember to add a comma aftera sequence word or phrase, 8 UNIT 1 = ParagraphsLook at Example Paragraph 2 on page 7 and answer the questions. 1. How many sentences are there in “An Basy Sandwich?” —_———___ 2. Circle the 15 main verbs in the sentences, 3. How many sentences begin with an imperative? —______ = 4, How many sentences begin with a sequence word? EGIL Writing Practice Think of a process that you know how to do, Write four to seven sentences that explain how to complete that process. For example, you can write about food or an everyday routine (e.., how to bake bread or how to send a text message), Use imperative sentences and sequence words. L Studying an Example Paragraph Can you remember a time when you had a strong feeling about something? Perhaps you were happy ‘or sad or angry. In the narrative paragraph on the next page, the writer telis about a day when he was afraid, This emotion was so strong that he remembers many details about the event even though it took place many years ago. Read the paragraph and answer the question that follows.