What are paragraphs for?

 

A paragraph is a group of sentences that deal with a single topic. Paragraphs help both the writer and the reader. They break the text up into shorter units that are easier to understand. Each paragraph contributes another block to building your thesis.

 

Example:

 

There are a number of arguments in favour of studying abroad. Students have more choice of courses and teaching styles, and may make contact with a wider variety of fellow students. In addition, if they have to study in another language it will give them chance to become proficient in that language. The growing numbers of students who travel to another country to attend university suggests that these benefits are widely appreciated.

 

In this case the paragraph consists of:

 

1. Topic sentence

There are a number of arguments in favour of study abroad.

2. Reasons A

Students have more choice of courses and teaching styles, and may make contact with a wider variety of fellow students.

3. Reason B

In addition, if they have to study in another language it will give them chance to become proficient in that language.

4. Conclusion

The growing numbers of students who do travel to another country to attend university suggests that these benefits are widely appreciated.

 

Note that every paragraph must have a topic sentence, which is often the first. But depending on the type of text, other sentences may give:

 

definitions

examples

information

restatements

summaries

 

The number of sentences in each paragraph will vary, but as a rough guide you should aim to have from four to six, on average. Note also that the writer must try to link each paragraph to the one before. Therefore, the next paragraph in the example above might start:

 

However, the are some negative factors associated with foreign study ....

 

 

 



What's your problem?

Writing good academic English is a concern for thousands of international students worldwide. But not all students face the same problems. Some, for example, are studying in English-speaking countries, while others may have to write in English but use a different language outside the classroom.

Many students may have to write long dissertations, or essays of many thousand words, while others may need to make notes on lectures or journal articles. Some may need to write intensively in exams, others only have to complete coursework. The demands they face may also vary according to the subject being studied: business, engineering or law have quite different requirements.

Send a short description (about 100 words is enough) of the writing difficulties YOU face in YOUR studies to this blog, and I will try to suggest some answers. The best contributions will win a copy of Academic Writing.

Use the comment box at the bottom of this post or email to: peakenglish@w3z.co.uk

Writing essays in exams

 Many students have to write essays in exam conditions at the end of the first semester, to assess their performance in the modules they have studied. Writing in this situation, with severe time pressure, is quite different from writing coursework essays, when you may have months to complete the task. With only an hour or so available, the following steps are critical:

• Make sure you understand what the title is asking for. Underline the key words in the question such as 'describe' or 'discuss'.

• Make a plan of your essay to check that you are answering all parts of the question. If you only answer half the question you can only get half marks!

• If you find time is short, make notes of the key points. Your teacher is looking for evidence that you understand the subject.

• Make sure that you finish writing about five minutes before the end. You MUST re-read your work to check for small errors that may affect the meaning and lose you marks.

To summarise, students lose marks in exams if they panic. Five minutes spent planning your answer at the start, and five minutes checking at the end, can make all the difference between a pass and a fail!