Chapter 4

Chapter 4 explains some great ways to build effective paragraphs. It also describes the different types of paragraphs that you can write. The first thing that Diana  Hacker says that you should do to build an effective paragraph is to focus on a main point. What she means by this is that each paragraph should be about one topic, so that your readers do not get confused by your paragraphs jumping around. One way to make sure that your paragraphs stay focused is to use a topic sentence, and then have the following sentences support that topic sentence. A good way to make sure that your paragraphs flow is to use transitional sentences. These sentences can ease the transition between two topics in two different paragraphs. Sometimes, without the use of transitional sentences, the essay or paper does not flow together, which makes it very hard for readers to read and understand. Any sentences in a paragraph that do not support the main point should be removed from the paragraph to avoid confusion. You should avoid using a lot of small paragraphs because they do not give enough information and support to be convincing.

There are lots of different types of paragraphs that you can write. The different types that Diana describes are: examples and illustrations, narration, description, process, comparison and contrast, analogy, cause and effect, classification and division, and definition. According to Diana, "examples are appropriate whenever the reader might be tempted to ask, 'For example?'." Illustrations are more detailed examples. Narration tells a story that is usualy a personal experience. A description paragraph describes a person, place, or thing with such detail that it paints a picture for the readers. Process paragraphs is usually written in chronological order. They are used mainly to describe how to do things. Say if you were writing a paragraph about how to tie your shoes, you would want to use a process paragraph so that each step was written in the right order. Comparison and contrast paragraphs can be written in two ways. The two subjects that you are comparing or contrasting can be written one at a time, or they can be written together, comparing or contrasting one aspect at a time. Diana states, "Analogies draw comparisons between items that appear to have little in common." Analogies are used often in arguing a subject. Cause and effect paragraphs can be written in two separate ways, just like comparison and contrast paragraphs. They can either be written with the effect as the topic sentence with the causes following in the body of the paragraph, or they can have the cause be written first and, as the paragraph progresses, move to talking about the effects of that cause.Diana defines classification as "the grouping of items into categories according to some consistent principle." She defines division as taking one item and dividing it into parts. "A definition puts a word or concept into a general class and then provides enough detail to distinguish it from others in the same class."

I would like to work on incorporating the tips that Diana gave in this chapter into my future work. I am going to work on making sure that my paragraphs stay on topic. I want to make sure that each of my paragraphs talk about one thing. I do not want them to jump around. I also definitely want to incorporate useing transitions into my future work. I have somewhat struggled with using transitions. I want to learn to use transitions better so that my papers flow and my readers do not get confused by my different paragraphs jumping topics.