Writing Techniques: Perfecting the Paragraph
(Editor’s Note: For a more detailed discussion of how to use this activity in your classroom, click the Focus On link above and read the related article.)
Well-written paragraphs are the building blocks of all good writing. The following exercise illustrates many concepts of coherent paragraphs including (a) use of topic sentences, (b) dovetailing of ideas so that ending thoughts in one sentence relate to beginning thoughts in the next sentence, and (c) use of transitional expressions and pronouns to promote coherence.
The activity works whether students are in teams of two or alone. To use this exercise with your class, first make the desired number of copies of the sentences below. Then cut the sentences into strips, mix them up, and place them into envelopes. Make sure students cannot piece the paragraph together by matching up the strips. You can use one paragraph for a simple version of the activity or both for a more challenging exercise. Ask students to recreate the paragraph(s) by looking for the main idea and other cues that link the sentences.
Afterward, show students the completed paragraph on a transparency or in a PowerPoint slide and discuss the links that make the paragraph coherent.
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Paragraph 1
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Managing time wisely is a key to success.
Various tools are available to help people maximize their efficiency by managing time well.
For example, people may use planners and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Planners are calendars that are organized by day, week, or month.
These tools are available in various sizes, from ones that fit into a shirt pocket to those that open up into a magazine-sized format.
Some larger planners are refillable binders that come in leather or more durable plastic.
Prices range from under $5 for smaller planners to nearly $100 for the more elegant, larger varieties.
Personal digital assistants are hand-held computers that contain different functions such as address books, calendars, telephone, and wireless connectivity.
One of the most well-known PDAs is the BlackBerry®.
Introduced in 1997, the BlackBerry® was originally a two-way beeper.
The current model, which came out in 2008, enables the user to e-mail, browse the Internet, and text message.
In addition, the BlackBerry offers organizing features such as calendars and to-do lists.
PDAs cost anywhere from $20 to nearly $1,000.
Whichever tool an individual chooses, it must be used consistently to be effective.
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Paragraph 2
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Time management is critical to success in any field.
In fact, poor time management is often the stumbling block that causes students and workers alike to fail.
Those who successfully manage their time have learned to work only on the most important tasks.
By focusing on what is truly important instead of trying to tackle everything, successful time managers complete chores in an organized fashion and avoid feeling overwhelmed.
The first step to better time management is to make a list of all tasks that need to be completed over a period of time.
Then categorize each task by its importance.
One of the ways to classify whether a task is important is to rate it as an A, a B, or a C.
An A task is one that is either urgent or must be completed soon.
However, very few tasks actually fall into this category.
B tasks are those that are still important but can be put off for three to seven days.
C tasks must be finished, but not for several weeks.
Using this simple strategy allows people to focus on a specific job and systematically complete all tasks on the list.
Paragraph 1
Managing time wisely is a key to success. Various tools are available to help people maximize their efficiency by managing time well. For example, people may use planners and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Planners are calendars that are organized by day, week, or month. These tools are available in various sizes, from ones that fit into a shirt pocket to those that open up into a magazine-sized format. Some larger planners are refillable binders that come in leather or more durable plastic. Prices range from under $5 for smaller planners to nearly $100 for the more elegant, larger varieties. Personal digital assistants are hand-held computers that contain different functions such as address books, calendars, telephone, and wireless connectivity. One of the most well-known PDAs is the BlackBerry®. Introduced in 1997, the BlackBerry® was originally a two-way beeper. The current model, which came out in 2008, enables the user to e-mail, browse the Internet, and text message. In addition, the BlackBerry offers organizing features such as calendars and to-do lists. PDAs cost anywhere from $20 to nearly $1,000. Whichever tool an individual chooses, it must be used consistently to be effective.
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Paragraph 2
Time management is critical to success in any field. In fact, poor time management is often the stumbling block that causes students and workers alike to fail. Those who successfully manage their time have learned to work only on the most important tasks. By focusing on what is truly important instead of trying to tackle everything, successful time managers complete chores in an organized fashion and avoid feeling overwhelmed. The first step to better time management is to make a list of all tasks that need to be completed over a period of time. Then categorize each task by its importance. One of the ways to classify whether a task is important is to rate it as an A, a B, or a C. An A task is one that is either urgent or must be completed soon. However, very few tasks actually fall into this category. B tasks are those that are still important but can be put off for three to seven days. C tasks must be finished, but not for several weeks. Using this simple strategy allows people to focus on a specific job and systematically complete all tasks on the list.