What is a Paragraph?

A paragraph is a group of related sentences whose purpose is to express one basic idea.

Normally, a paragraph is part of a series of paragraphs, which work together to express a larger, more complicated idea (also called a "thesis").

All the sentences in a paragraph should be closely connected to the central idea. The introductory sentence (or "topic sentence") states the idea. The following sentences (supporting sentences) support or expand the idea. The concluding (=last) sentence usually summarizes the idea of the paragraph.

Well-written paragraphs will be clear. They will lead your reader to accept what you are saying as true.

Here's an example of a strong paragraph:

(Topic sentence:) The characteristics of the main study variables, namely alcohol intake and coronary heart disease, differ between men and women. (Supporting sentences:) Women, for example, do not have the same coronary heart disease risk profile. Drinking patterns in men and women also differ in terms of both the type of beverage and the quantity. The metabolism of alcohol is also different in women and men. (Concluding sentence:) Therefore, all these analyses have considered men and women separately.

This is easy to follow. It uses simple, short sentences. 

Now, go and try to write your own paragraphs!!

Helpful Links on the Sidebar

The sidebar has a few links you might find helpful:

APA Style Official Site

www.apastyle.org

This is the official website of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA). "APA style" is the style (rules of writing, formatting, presenting information, etc.) that nursing and most medical research journals follow.

Online Writing Lab (OWL) of Purdue University

owl.english.purdue.edu/owl

This is the site for the Online Writing Lab (OWL) of Purdue University. It has lots of advice for writing in general, and lots of samples of writing using APA style. Check it out!

Guide to Grammar & Writing

grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/index.htm

• The site is divided into several levels, including the Word & Sentence Level, the Paragraph Level, and the Essay & Research Paper Level.
• It also has a textbook, called "Sentence Sense: A Writer's Guide," which looks very helpful and easy to use.
• An Index includes more than 400 grammar and writing references.
• There are also over 170 online interactive quizzes on English grammer and writing, so you can learn on your own! Have fun!

Paragraph Writing (日本語)

shouronbun.com/paragraph.html

Here is an explanation (in Japanese) on how to write a good paragraph.

Paragraph Writing (English)

http://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/927399-How-To-Write-A-Good-Paragraph

Here's an article in English explaining paragraph writing. It includes a sample paragraph about a poodle. 

Try googling "how to write a good paragraph" for other sites.

Some Guiding Principles...

...when learning how to write a research report in English (especially if English is not your native language):

1. The more you try to write, the more you learn how to write.

The best way for you to write better English is to write English! I will use a lot of red ink and make MANY comments to help you improve your writing. That is they only way I can help you directly.

2. Try to write in English first.

I know it's hard! Think about what you want to write in Japanese, but when you start writing, try to write English sentences.

If you want to say something complicated, write in Japanese first if necessary. But then don't try to translate every word exactly! 一字一句を直訳しないで、同じ思いを英語でどうかけばいいか、考えて書き直す。The important thing is to express your thought clearly. Use the Japanese as a guide, not as a rigid constraint. 元の文章に束縛されず、道しるべとして使う。

3. Think before you write!

If your idea is clear, it will not be very hard to write it in English. But, if your idea is not clear, it will be very hard to make it clear in English!

This class will focus on helping you write your reports. But you will have to do the hard thinking work by yourself. (Elizabeth Tornquist has some good things to say about this on pp. 4-5 of your textbook.)

4. Simple is best.

Both in English and Japanese. Use short sentences. Let a sentence express only one relationship or thought. Break longer sentences into shorter sentences. Here is a good rule: If you have more than two commas, more than two ‘and’s, or more than two ‘but’s in a sentence, think about rewriting it! 1つの文章には2つ以上のカンマや2つ以上のandおよびbutがあったら、書き直すべきかもしれない。日本語でも、同じ文章に「なので」「ながら」「つつ」「というものの」がたくさん書かれていると、読む人が途中でわけがわからなくなってしまう！

Don't try to be fancy. Try to be clear.