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How to Structure Writing Using Paragraphs and Organisational Markers
- 1. Pearson Edexcel Functional Skills English Level 2 Structuring writing: using paragraphs and organisational markers
- 2. •One of the criteria your writing is assessed on in the Level 2 exam is your use of structure, paragraphs and organisational markers. •Without structure, writing would not make sense.
- 3. Paragraphs
- 4. •A paragraph is typically a group of related sentences that deal with the same topic. •But a paragraph can sometimes be just a single sentence. •Single sentence paragraphs can be effective at the beginning of an article to grab a reader’s attention right from the start. •They can also be used to create a memorable end to an article by leaving a reader thinking about the subject. What is a paragraph?
- 5. What do paragraphs do? •Create structure. •Organise writing. •Make it easier for a reader to follow a written argument. •Prevent confusion or misunderstanding. •Add an ordered and tidy appearance to text. •Without paragraphs, writing would be confusing, and key topics would be difficult to identify. Let’s look at an example...
- 6. For example... New coffee shops are opening up every day in the UK. It is thought the number of coffee shops will double in just a few years. Some people believe that the British interest in coffee began in 1978, when Sergio and Bruno Costa opened their first coffee shop on Vauxhall Bridge Road in London. When it became clear that selling made to order coffee drinks was a highly profitable business, increasing numbers of coffee shops began appearing all over the country. Last year, over two billion pounds worth of coffee was sold. The biggest coffee chains sell just under half a million cups of coffee every day. However, not everyone likes coffee. Surveys suggest that 16% of the UK population have never visited a coffee shop. •Where are the key points? •What are the main topics? Not easy to find them, is it? (Extract adapted from Functional Skills English Level 2, published by CPG, 2015, page 75.
- 7. For example... New coffee shops are opening up every day in the UK. It is thought the number of coffee shops will double in just a few years. Some people believe that the British interest in coffee began in 1978, when Sergio and Bruno Costa opened their first coffee shop on Vauxhall Bridge Road in London. It was the start of a revolution. When it became clear that selling made-to-order coffee drinks was a highly profitable business, increasing numbers of coffee shops began appearing all over the country. Last year, over two billion pounds worth of coffee was sold. The biggest coffee chains sell just under half a million cups of coffee every day. However, not everyone likes coffee. Surveys suggest that 16% of the UK population have never visited a coffee shop. Paragraphs make key points easy to identify.
- 8. How is a paragraph structured? •A paragraph begins with a topic sentence. •This is followed by supporting sentences that provide more detail about the topic (e.g. examples, reasons, facts, figures). •An ending sentence that links to the next paragraph OR restates the topic in a different way.
- 9. The topic sentence The topic of a paragraph is often introduced by a key sentence. This is usually called the topic sentence and generally contains the main idea of the paragraph. Using mobile phones while driving is a dangerous activity.
- 10. These provide more details and general information about the topic sentence. Supporting sentences Mobile phones can cause drivers to become distracted and when this happens they lose concentration. In turn, this can result in them endangering not only their own life, but also the lives of other road users.
- 11. This closes the paragraph. An ending sentence may repeat the topic in a different way, or express what we think or how we feel about the topic. Ending sentence Mobile phones should never be used while driving, even hands-free, because a distracted driver is a dangerous driver.
- 12. Complete paragraph Using mobile phones while driving is a dangerous activity. Mobile phones can cause drivers to become distracted and when this happens they lose concentration. In turn, this can result in them endangering not only their own life, but also the lives of other road users. Mobile phones should never be used while driving, even hands-free, because a distracted driver is a dangerous driver. Supporting sentences Topic sentence Ending sentence Please also note the range of sentence structures I have used: there is a compound sentence, and a compound-complex sentence, as well as complex sentences. This is what you should be aiming for in your own writing at Level 2.
- 13. Example: I enjoy going to college for so many reasons. You get to meet new people and make friends. I find the subject I’m studying quite challenging, but interesting. I really enjoy it! Topic sentence Supporting sentences Ending sentence
- 14. Example: The sport of rugby league teaches self-discipline. This is shown by the players being penalised for losing their temper or arguing with the referee. Learning self-control is an excellent thing for any sportsman. Topic sentence Supporting sentence Ending sentence
- 15. As you have seen from the previous examples, paragraphs organise writing into a logical structure that helps the reader to understand and follow what is being said. Paragraphs always have: • a topic sentence at the beginning of the paragraph; • supporting sentences that provide more detail; • an ending sentence that repeats the topic in a different way, or expresses what we think or how we feel about the topic.
- 17. Paragraphs can be improved by using linking words or discourse markers to connect information within paragraphs, and also to link paragraphs together. You will find some examples of these on the following slides. As you will see, discourse markers all different functions.
- 18. To show addition (to add a point or idea) •To add... •In addition... •Furthermore... •Also... •As well as... •Moreover... To show order or sequence •To begin with/To start with... •Firstly/Secondly/Thirdly... •Next... •Then... •Following this... •Previously...
- 19. To show cause and effect •Because... •Since... •So... •Therefore... •Consequently... •As a consequence... •As a result of... •Due to...
- 20. To show comparison •Similarly... •Equally... •Likewise... •As with... •Just as... •In the same way... To show contrast or difference •However... •Alternatively... •Whereas... •Despite this... •On the contrary... Even so...
- 21. To illustrate (to give an example) •For example... •For instance... •Such as... •As revealed by... •In the case of... •An example is... To show conclusion •To conclude... •In conclusion... •In closing... •Finally... •To sum up... •In summary...
- 22. Use the following template to help you plan paragraphs until you become more confident in planning them independently. 1. Topic:_____________________________________ Develop (add supporting sentences + end sentence) 2. Topic:_____________________________________ Develop (add supporting sentences + end sentence) 3. Topic:_____________________________________ Develop (add supporting sentences + end sentence) 4. Topic:_____________________________________ Develop (add supporting sentences + end sentence)
- 23. To recap... •Paragraphs structure and organise writing. They help to make main points or ideas easy to see and enable readers to follow and understand what they are reading. •Usually a paragraph consists of a group of sentences that deal with the same topic. However, a paragraph can also be a single sentence. •A paragraph begins with a topic sentence, followed by supporting sentences giving more details, before an ending sentence linking to the topic of the next paragraph or emphasising the paragraph topic in a different way. •Organisational markers (or discourse markers) are words or phrases that provide links between sentences in a paragraph and also help to link paragraphs. •Planning paragraphs before you write them will help to organise your ideas and key points and ensure that you do not forget to include any necessary or important information. Planning also helps by enabling you to write down any linking words or phrases you wish to use.