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Lesson 1
Lesson 1
writing – Lesson 1
Technical writing
Claire Taylor
c.taylor@un‐ihe.org
Yness March Slokar
y.slokar@un‐ihe.org
Urban Water & Sanitation
International Masters Programme
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 1
Writing topic sentences and developing paragraphs.
Writing using the claim ➤ evidence ➤ example structure.
Using discourse markers.
Paraphrasing sentences, avoiding plagiarism and understanding
Turnitin.
Using pronouns.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 2
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Technical writing – Lesson 1
Applying hedging, grading and reporting verbs.
Identifying and writing parallel expressions.
Differentiating between tenses in academic writing.
Analysing and interpreting results and data, including numbers in the
text and using respectively correctly.
Proof reading.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 3
Lesson 1
Paragraphs, paragraphs and more paragraphs
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 4
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Technical writing – Lesson 1
Objectives of lesson 1
After today’s class the participants will be able to:
follow the rule of paragraph unity;
understand the different sections of a paragraph;
write using the claim ➤ evidence ➤ example structure.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 5
Objectives of lesson 1
After today’s class the participants will be able to:
follow the rule of paragraph unity;
understand the different sections of a paragraph;
write using the claim ➤ evidence ➤ example structure.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 6
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Technical writing – Lesson 1
Paragraph formation
Paragraph unity
A paragraph MUST follow the rule of unity.
One paragraph = one main idea
This means:
o all the sentences in the paragraph must be about the same main idea;
o they must all be relevant.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 7
Objectives of lesson 1
After today’s class the participants will be able to:
follow the rule of paragraph unity;
understand the different sections of a paragraph;
write using the claim ➤ evidence ➤ example structure.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 8
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Technical writing – Lesson 1
Paragraph formation
A good paragraph has three sections:
topic sentence (the top),
supporting sentences (the filling),
concluding sentence (the bottom).
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 9
Paragraph formation
What is it?
Tells reader what topic of paragraph will be (what the reader is going to
read about).
Most important sentence in whole paragraph.
Usually first sentence (most prominent) in paragraph.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 10
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Technical writing – Lesson 1
Paragraph formation
Two parts of topic sentence
1. Topic – names the topic.
2. Controlling idea – what the paragraph will say about topic.
Controlling idea tells reader: this paragraph will discuss these things –
and only these things.
Example: The IUMW approach is an important strategy in providing water
services of adequate quality.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 11
Paragraph formation
Middle sentences of paragraph are supporting sentences.
Supporting sentences explain or prove idea in topic sentence.
‘Filling’ of paragraph and is therefore biggest part of paragraph.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 12
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Technical writing – Lesson 1
Paragraph development
Patterns – why?
Topic sentence must be followed by supporting sentences.
Consistent pattern for supporting sentences.
Information presented in lucid, easily understood way.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 13
Paragraph development
Different patterns
1. Chronological description.
2. Cause and effect analysis.
3. Comparison and contrast.
4. Listing.
5. General to particular ordering of details.
See Appendix C for more information and examples.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 14
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Technical writing – Lesson 1
Objectives of lesson 1
After today’s class the participants will be able to:
follow the rule of paragraph unity;
understand the different sections of a paragraph;
write using the claim ➤ evidence ➤ example structure.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 15
Paragraph formation
Important to support claims with evidence and also examples if
possible.
Evidence makes argument stronger.
Examples make argument easier to understand.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 16
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Technical writing – Lesson 1
Paragraph formation
Claim.
Addition of the second aeration tank improved the treatment of
wastewater.
Evidence.
Water quality downstream the treatment plant discharge had
improved.
Example.
The abundance of Trichoptera before and after the discharge was nearly
the same.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 17
Paragraph formation
In 2015, the number of academic admissions drastically dropped
compared to 2014, in all four Programmes. With 52 % less eligible
applicants than the previous year, the biggest drop was registered in the
UWS and WSE Programmes. For example, the UWS programme had 220
participants in 2014 and only 201 in 2015. The WM Programme experienced
the smallest drop ‐ 44 %. The likely reason for this is that in 2015 the
required IELTS score was raised from 6.0 to 6.5. This implies that nearly
half of the applicants in 2014 had relatively poor conduct in the English
language (between 6.0 and 6.5).
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 18
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Technical writing – Lesson 1
Paragraph formation
1 In 2015, the number of academic admissions drastically dropped
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 19
Paragraph formation
Concluding sentence
Ends paragraph (if long paragraph).
Tells reader that paragraph is finished.
Summarizes main points.
Does not introduce new ideas.
Starts with phrase to show end of paragraph, as follows.
o In short, . . .
o Therefore, . . .
o In conclusion, . . .
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 20
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Technical writing – Lesson 1
Paragraph formation
Used with a continued topic.
Begins each new paragraph with phrase that links it to previous
paragraph.
Maintains continuity of argument.
Starts with phrase to show the connection, as follows.
o Despite this…..
o All these claims......
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 21
Paragraph formation
Starts with phrase to show beginning of new topic in the next paragraph,
as follows.
o Turning to the issue of.....
o Rates of infection must also be examined .....
o ....... is another area for consideration.
Claire Taylor, Yness M Slokar | Technical writing | c.taylor@un‐ihe.org 22
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Technical writing – Lesson 1
Assignment 1
Paragraph formation
Write your own answer to Assignment 1, using your own ideas, knowledge
and experience, and supporting examples.
Use correct structure of paragraphs including topic sentences. Use the
claim ➤ evidence ➤ example structure.
Write between 300‐500 words. Run a spell check (UK English).
Submission: eCampus upload by 16 Nov @ 08:00.
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