writing the paragraphs in the first draft - Pearson Learning Solutions
writing the paragraphs in the first draft - Pearson Learning Solutions
writing the paragraphs in the first draft - Pearson Learning Solutions
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74<br />
Part II • The Writ<strong>in</strong>g Process<br />
Imag<strong>in</strong>e you plan to write an essay show<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> difficulties many immigrants<br />
face when <strong>the</strong>y <strong>first</strong> come to this country. Let’s consider how you might<br />
structure <strong>the</strong> essay’s support<strong>in</strong>g <strong>paragraphs</strong>, particularly <strong>the</strong> way each paragraph’s<br />
organizational approach can help you arrange ideas <strong>in</strong> a logical, easyto-follow<br />
sequence.<br />
One paragraph, focused by <strong>the</strong> topic sentence “The everyday life of a typical<br />
immigrant family is arduous,” might be developed through a chronological<br />
account of <strong>the</strong> family’s daily rout<strong>in</strong>e: purchas<strong>in</strong>g, before dawn, fruits and vegetables<br />
for <strong>the</strong>ir produce stand; sett<strong>in</strong>g up <strong>the</strong> stand early <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> morn<strong>in</strong>g; work<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong>re for ten hours; attend<strong>in</strong>g English class at night. Ano<strong>the</strong>r paragraph might<br />
develop its topic sentence—“Many immigrant families get along without <strong>the</strong> technology<br />
that o<strong>the</strong>rs take for granted”—through spatial order, tak<strong>in</strong>g readers on a<br />
brief tour of an immigrant family’s rented home: <strong>the</strong> kitchen lacks a dishwasher or<br />
microwave; <strong>the</strong> liv<strong>in</strong>g room has no stereo, computer, or VCR, only a small blackand-white<br />
TV; <strong>the</strong> basement has just a washtub and clo<strong>the</strong>sl<strong>in</strong>e <strong>in</strong>stead of a washer<br />
and dryer. F<strong>in</strong>ally, a third paragraph with <strong>the</strong> topic sentence “A number of worries<br />
typically beset immigrant families” might use an emphatic sequence, mov<strong>in</strong>g from<br />
less significant concerns (hav<strong>in</strong>g to wear old, unfashionable clo<strong>the</strong>s) to more<br />
critical issues (hav<strong>in</strong>g to deal with isolation and discrim<strong>in</strong>ation).<br />
Signal Devices. Once you determ<strong>in</strong>e a logical sequence for your po<strong>in</strong>ts, you<br />
need to make sure that readers can follow <strong>the</strong> progression of those po<strong>in</strong>ts with<strong>in</strong><br />
and between <strong>paragraphs</strong>. Signal devices provide readers with cues, rem<strong>in</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g<br />
<strong>the</strong>m where <strong>the</strong>y have been and <strong>in</strong>dicat<strong>in</strong>g where <strong>the</strong>y are go<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
Try to <strong>in</strong>clude some signals—however awkward or temporary—<strong>in</strong> your <strong>first</strong><br />
<strong>draft</strong>. If you f<strong>in</strong>d you can’t, that’s probably a warn<strong>in</strong>g that your ideas may not be<br />
arranged logically—<strong>in</strong> which case, it’s better to f<strong>in</strong>d that out now ra<strong>the</strong>r than later on.<br />
Useful signal devices <strong>in</strong>clude transitions, bridg<strong>in</strong>g sentences, repeated words, synonyms,<br />
and pronouns. Keep <strong>in</strong> m<strong>in</strong>d, though, that a light touch should be your goal<br />
with such signals. Too many call attention to <strong>the</strong>mselves, mak<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> essay<br />
mechanical and plodd<strong>in</strong>g.<br />
1. Transitions. Words and phrases that ease readers from one idea to ano<strong>the</strong>r<br />
are called transitions. Among such signals are <strong>the</strong> follow<strong>in</strong>g:<br />
Time Space Addition Examples<br />
<strong>first</strong> above moreover for <strong>in</strong>stance<br />
next below also for example<br />
dur<strong>in</strong>g next to fur<strong>the</strong>rmore to illustrate<br />
f<strong>in</strong>ally beh<strong>in</strong>d <strong>in</strong> addition specifically<br />
Contrast Comparison Summary<br />
but similarly <strong>the</strong>refore<br />
however also thus<br />
<strong>in</strong> contrast likewise <strong>in</strong> short<br />
on <strong>the</strong> one/ too <strong>in</strong> conclusion<br />
o<strong>the</strong>r hand