Chapter Two     Writing a General Paragraph
 
 
All effective writing must have a main idea the writer is trying to make. Good writing provides evidence to support that point, and to convince the reader that the main point is valid. This principle applies to all writings. This chapter focuses mainly on general writing — expository writing, writing that informs, teaches, or explains something to the reader. That is the kind of writing done more often in academic courses; it is also foundation for other writings: narrative, descriptive, argumentative and applied writings.
As is known, longer works may be subdivided into paragraphs or chapters. Writing a good paragraph may lead to the good expansion of a good essay. So this book begins with the paragraph writing — the expository writing, and then proceeds to the essay writing. Effective writing of an expository paragraph includes:
 
 

·Writing a topic sentence

·Writing the middle

·Writing the concluding sentence
 
 

A paragraph is a group of related sentences. The main idea is usually stated in one general sentence called the topic sentence, although the main idea may sometimes be implied rather than directly stated. As a beginning writer, you would be wise to use topic sentences to ensure a clear focus in your paragraphs, because it takes much more skills to make an implied main idea clear. The topic sentence is often the first or second sentence in a paragraph, but it can also be placed at the end or, for that matter, at any logical place within the paragraph. Its level of generality, not its position, distinguishes the topic sentence from the rest of the paragraph.
The other sentences in the paragraph should provide specific evidence (supporting ideas) to support or prove the topic sentence. They should not merely repeat the idea in the topic sentence or stay on the same level of generality. The following sample, written by a student, has the necessary component of a good paragraph.

 

Topic sentence

 
 
Supporting idea 1
 
 
Owing a car is very expensive, in fact, not only is buying a car expensive initially, but we must also spend a lot of money on it once we have bought it.First,we have to have cash to buy the car, or at least to make a down payment. If it's a new car, this can be a
Supporting sentence 2
Supporting sentence 3
Supporting sentence 4
 
 
Supporting sentence 5
 

Conclusion

 
large amount! Then, after we buy it, we have to pay a
tax to get a county sticker and license plate. Next, we have to pay a small sum to get an inspection sticker. In addition, we have to get accident insurance and, in some areas, also pay an annual personal property tax. Later, in addition to gas, we will have to pay for repairs for our car and for the yearly inspection. Those things will all cost us a lot of money. It is easy to see why it is expensive to own a car.

 
First, the preceding paragraph has a main idea that is expressed in the topic sentence which appears at the beginning.
 
       Topic sentence
      
Owning a car is very expensive;in fact, not only is buying a car expensive initially, but we must also spend a lot of money on it once we have bought it.
 
This topic sentence serves several purposes.
 
1.      It is a complete sentence introducing the main idea of the paragraph.
 
Main idea
      Owning a car is very expensive...
 
2.      It limits the topic of the paragraph by introducing the controlling idea. In this case the topic is limited to the expense of owning a car, not the pleasures or dangers or something else. The word expensive controls the idea and lets the reader know what the focus of the topic will be.
 
      Owning a car is expensive.
           ↓         ↓
              Topic     Controlling idea
         ↘     ↙
                         Limited topic:  “the expense of owning a car”
 
       3.  It often lets the reader know how the paragraph will be developed. In the preceding example, part of the topic sentence was “in fact, not only is buying a car expensive initially, but we must also spend a lot of money on it once we have bought it.” We assume from this statement that the writer will discuss both the initial and continuing expenses.
 
Second, the paragraph has main supporting ideas, all of which related to the topic sentence. To support the topic sentence, “Owning a car is very expensive,” the writer chose the following main supporting ideas.
 
     Main supporting ideas
 
              1.  We need money to buy the car.
              2.  We have to pay for a sticker and a license plate.
              3.  We have to pay for an inspection sticker.
              4.  We must have accident insurance and pay property tax.
              5.  We must pay for gas and repairs.
 
Third, the main supporting ideas may themselves be upheld by details. In a longer paragraph under the first supporting sentence (We need money to buy the car), we might add:
 
        Details
 
1.        It cost around $6,000 for a basic small car with all the extras.
2.        The extras, such as trim, air-conditioning, and whitewall tires, can add hundreds of dollars to the cost.
 
Fourth, the ideas in the paragraph are presented in the logical order of time. When we buy a car, our first expense is the down payment. Then we pay tax, pay for a county sticker and license plate, pay for an inspection sticker, pay for insurance, and so forth.
But the following student-written paragraph lacks the necessary specifics to prove its point.

 

My Favorite Place

 
I have been to many beautiful places. The Yellow Mountain is my favorite place. There is an old saying: One who has been to the Yellow Mountain need not go to see any other mountains. The Yellow Mountain is located in the southern part of Anhui Province. It is famous for its beautiful clouds, pine trees and strange stones. At the foot of the mountain, I can not see its top. When I reach the top, I feel I am in the heaven. From the highest peak, I look down at the lower hills, and the clouds move smoothly. Sometimes the hills are clear and they disappear in a moment. The famous pine trees stand on the abrupt hillside, showing their welcome to the travelers. The stones are so strange that almost each of them has a good story. They look like dogs, rabbits or even human beings. I like the Yellow Mountain so much not only for its beauty but also for its faith it gives me.
 
At first glance, this student’s writing might appear acceptable. The sentences are grammatical; spelling and punctuation are correct. But what is the main point? And where is the support for that point? This paragraph thus presents many weak points, lacking not only a credible topic sentence but also the specifics to support the main idea. And the conclusion is awkward, too. If this piece of writing is revised as follows, it will be a good paragraph.
 

                                                My Favorite Place