Paragraph Composition

• A paragraph is a brief composition

having only one main thought or idea. It
is a group of related sentences
developing into one topic, or with a
specific part of a longer composition or a
larger topic.
• A paragraph is composed of a topic sentence and
supporting details. A topic sentence contains the main
idea or thought of the compositon. On the other hand, the
supporting details substantiate or help develop the main
idea expressed in the topic sentence.
• The value of human life in our society is immesuarable.
Police officers are charged with the awesome
responsibility to protect life and property, and to
apprehend criminal offenders. The apprehension of
criminal offenders and the protection of property must be
subservient to the protection of life. The police officer's
resposibility for protecting life must include his own.
 Paragraph Unity
• A paragraph is considered to be unified when all of its
supporting details relate to the main topic. The next slide
is a sample paragraph, examine it whether each
supporting details support the main topic.
 Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG)
• The Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) is the smallest and most radical of the Islamic
separatist groups operating in the southern Philippines. Some ASG members
have studied or worked in the Middle East and developed ties to mujahedeen
while fighting and training in Afghanistan. The group split from the Moro
National Liberation Front in 1991 under the leadership of Abdurajik Abubakar
Janjalani, who was killed in a clash with Philippine police on 18 December
1998. Press report placed his younger brother Khadafi Janjalani (reported
killed in 2002), as the nominal leader of the group, which is composed of
several factions. The ASG is engaged in bombings, assassinations,
kidnappings, and extortion purportedly to promote an independent Islamic
state in the western Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. In April 1995 it
raided the Ipil town in Mindanao, this was the group's first large-scale action,
together with the kidnapping of more than 30 foreigners, including US
citizens, killing two of them in separate incidents in 2000 and 2002.
 Transitional Markers

• Transitional markers are considered as aid to the readers,

because its main purpose is to help readers comprehend
the relationship of thoughts, and how these thoughts are
connected smoothly in the paragraph The next slide is an
example of a paragraph that uses transitional markers.
Note whether the transitional markers help connect the
writer's thoughts.
 Kidnapping and Hostage Taking
• The difference between kidnapping and hostage taking is
extremely fine in the world of terrorism. Indeed the two
terms are often used interchangeably. However the
kidnapper would normally be regarded as someone who
confines his victim in a secret hideaway and makes
material demands such as, money, weapons, release of
present whereas the hostage taker will confront
authorities and openly hold his victim for ransom.
• The hostage taker's demands are often more than
material in nature. Political concessions are frequently
demanded in exchange for the lives of hostages. The
importance of hostage taking as comparatively new and
popular is plain. First, because of its currency, hostage
taking attracts the media. Second, the fact that the lives of
hostages are involved increases the dramatic effect, thus
allowing the terrorist to apply pressure on the authorities
to force concessions, which may not otherwise be made.
Finally, the hostage is a tangible asset to the terrorist who
finds that he has something with which to bargain.
 List of Common Transitional Markers
Addition

• again, also, and, as well as, further, furthermore, in addition, likewise, moreover, next, similarly

Cause

• because, for, for this reason, since

Chronology

• after, always, at last, before, briefly, in the meantime, meanwhile, next, soon, suddenly

Comparison

• all, and, as, both, like, similarly

Conclusion

• finally, hence, so, therefore, thus, to conclude

 Contrast

• although, but, conversely, despite, difference, even SO, nevertheless however,

Effect
• as a result, consequently, for that reason, effect, hence, so then, therefore, thus

Emphasis

• above all, especially, indeed, in fact

Example

• for example, for instance, in other words, specifically, such as, to illustratImportance

• finally, first, last, least, next, primarily

List

• finally, first, furthermore, last, moreover, next, second, third