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Steps of developing a paragraph
1. Steps of developing a paragraph
When we write a paragraph, the first thing we should do is to think of a central ideaor theme and write it down in a complete sentence, which will serve as the topic sentence.Then we should think of the details or examples to support the main idea. We need towork out an outline to put these details in good order. With the outline, the paragraph isalmost half-done.
Now, let us do the planning of a paragraph together. Suppose we plan to write a paragraph about caring for the old. We may first write down the sentence Caring for the oldis an acute problem of modern times. Then we have to consider how to develop the paragraph along this line of thinking. As a change over time is implied in the topic sentence,we may compare the situation in the past with that at present. Let us put down some major points in order to elaborate on this central idea:
(1) In the past, old people were taken care of by their children.
(2) Old people used to be respected by the younger generation.
(3) Things are very different now.
(4) Many old people are left alone to look after themselves.
With this outline, we can start to write the paragraph beginning with the topic sentence.
Sample
There is no doubt about it: caring for the old is an acute problem of modern times.[1]In the past, an old person could expect to be cared for by his children.[2]It was customary for an old parent to move into the home of one of his married daughters.[3]Here he would be loved and honored until his dying day.[4]Nowadays this is by no means the natural progression of life.[5] Many old people are left alone to fend for themselves, abandoned by their children.[6]
There are many possible ways to develop a paragraph. Let us study these methodsone by one.