POINTERS TO REVIEW IN ENGLISH 8 (4TH QUARTER)

Module 4: Composing an Effective Paragraph

Paragraph: A paragraph is a group of sentences organized to discuss a topic. In fact, the main rule of paragraph writing is to focus
on one idea or topic. To be able to write an effective paragraph, one must have the essential parts.
Topic Sentence: A topic sentence presents the
topic of the paragraph. It will serve as a guide for the
writer to keep his or her writing under control. This is why,
a topic sentence is called the "controlling idea" of a
paragraph
Supporting Sentences: The Supporting sentences
serve as the body of your paragraph. This is where you
elaborate your topic by including specific details or
evidences. All of the sentences in the body must relate to
the topic sentence. These sentences should be organized
accordingly through the use of transitional devices.
Concluding Sentence: A concluding sentence
restates what the topic of the paragraph is all about. It
comes after all the details have been included in the body
of the paragraph.

Principles in Writing a Paragraph

Unity: Unity means that all sentences in the paragraph talk about one central idea. This means that the writer will deal only
with one topic. It is important because it guides the writer with his or her idea.
Coherence: Coherence refers to the connection of ideas in the paragraph in general. The idea in the topic sentence, as well as
in the supporting sentences and concluding sentence, is connected to each other through the use of transitional devices.
Development: Development refers to the principle when a paragraph describes, elaborates, explains, and supports its topic
sentence. A paragraph is considered adequately developed if after reading it, the reader is left with no questions.

Different Patterns of Paragraph Development

Narration: In the narration pattern, the paragraph tells a story or recounts a series of events. It arranges the events or ideas in
a chronological order which means the events are organized from beginning to end. Narrative paragraph can be based on
personal experience or on knowledge gained from reading or observation.
Description: In a description pattern, the paragraph is characterized by using more adjectives or vivid sensory description. It
creates a mental picture of the idea or the topic by describing how it sounds, smells, tastes, feels, and/or looks. It is often
recommended to use transitional words and phrases that indicate location.
Process: This pattern of development is usually used to explain a process on how to do something. It uses transitional devices
of enumeration (e.g., first, second, third) and time (e.g., then, next, finally). It is the right pattern of development when your
purpose is to help your readers understand the steps in a process or procedure, or to give instructions.
Exemplification: This pattern of paragraph development uses series of examples to support the topic sentence. This means
that to further explain the topic, the use of specific examples must be provided.
Comparison/Contrast: This pattern of paragraph development is used when a paragraph demonstrates comparison and/or
contrast or examines how given subjects are either similar or different. Comparison examines how the subjects are the same while
contrast examines how the subjects are different. In writing this paragraph pattern it is highly recommended to use transitional
words and phrases that indicate comparison and contrast.
Definition: This pattern of paragraph development aims to give a complete working definition of a term, concept, or idea. One
of the main features of this pattern is that it tells both what the term is and what it is not. In other words, it defines the boundaries
of a term, so the readers can better understand it.
Classification: This pattern of paragraph development presents a topic and classifies it into component parts, types, kinds or
categories. It distinguishes its parts by presenting the characteristics of each. This pattern uses transitional phrases like can be
divided, is a kind/type/part of, can be classified, falls under, can be categorized, is related to, and associated with.
Cause and Effect: This pattern of paragraph development explains the reasons why something happened or explains the
effects of something. When an author gives reasons, he or she is explaining the causes. When a writer explains the results, he or
she is explaining the effects. To explain the causes, the following signal words may be used: since, due to, because, consequently,
and for this reason.

Module 5: Developing Paragraphs that Illustrate Text Types

Narrative – tells a story which can be fiction (made-up story) or non-fiction (real events). Shorts stories and other traditional
tales are examples of fiction, while biographies are examples of narrative non-fiction.
 Explanation - explains a particular subject or topic through ideas that support it. It is a kind of factual text that explains how or
why things are. It elaborates on how or why something occurs or give information on how to do something.
Expository – are also informational texts that present factual data on a topic through description, sequence, comparison and
contrast, cause and effect, and problem-solution.
Procedural text - lists a sequence of actions or steps needed to make or do something. Some examples include recipes, science
experiments, assembly manuals, or instructions for playing games. This should not be confused with explanations on processes,
because procedural texts are more directive and imperative. They instruct readers on how to go about processes.
Recount - retells past events which may either be personal or factual.
✓ Personal recount - retells past events that the writer was personally involved in. Diary entries and short personal memoirs
are examples of personal recounts.
✓ Factual recount - retells events that also happened in real life but may not be about the writer himself/herself. News
reports and witness statements are examples of factual recounting.
Persuasive text - intends to convince the readers/listeners to believe, perform a certain action or change mind. Examples of
persuasive text types include advertisements, editorials, debate speeches, arguments, and persuasive essays and speeches.

Module 6: Delivering A Self-Composed Speech

Speech is the use of language in human vocal communication. Each language uses phonetic vowel and consonant sound
combinations that form the sound of its words. Speakers perform several different deliberate acts of speech, for example, telling,
announcing, questioning, persuading, directing. To express meaning, they may use enunciation, intonation, loudness, tempo, and
other non-representational or paralinguistic aspects of vocalization.

Characteristics of a good speech

A good speech has qualities which can convey a message effectively through words of mouth or spoken words. Expression
should be transparent and unambiguous so that it is easy for the public to understand. It should be delivered in an unbiased and
unemotional way so that it doesn't drive the audience away from the main theme. A good speech is one that ensures the
participation of the audience with the speaker and ensures the audience will ensure their attention through effective listening,
expressing their solidarity with the speech and so on.
How to write an effective speech?
In writing your speech, always remember the following conventions to help you make your speech an effective one:
✓ Introduce yourself. ✓ Use personal details and anecdotes.
✓ Make a great opening statement (a rhetorical ✓ Use rhetorical questions.
question, a surprising statement, a famous quote). ✓ Use emotive language.
✓ Structure your speech. ✓ Use figurative language.
✓ Begin every paragraph with a topic sentence. ✓ Use contrast.
✓ Use very good English. ✓ Use repetition.
✓ Express your opinion. ✓ Use the list of three.
✓ Write from the 1st person and engage your ✓ Focus on the topic.
audience.

How to effectively deliver a speech?

✓ Avoid signs of nerves during your speech.
✓ Develop good body language.
✓ Gesticulate for success.
✓ Make eye contact to engage people.
Types of Speech according to Delivery