Components of an Academic Paragraph
pbrereton@icu.ac.jp
ARW SPRING 2021
What is one difference between high school and university?
ARW SPRING 2021
Topic Sentences
What do you think of the topic sentences below? Which one does the best job of introducing a paragraph?
Explanation
1. First of all, the power balance is different.2. One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students. 3. I think the power balance between teachers and students is different between high school and university.
Your topic sentence controls the whole paragraph. It contains one clear idea which explains the purpose of the paragraph (in relation to the essay question). The rest of the paragraph works to support your topic sentence.
Topic Sentences
What do you think of the topic sentences below? Which one does the best job of introducing a paragraph?
Explanation
1. One major difference between university and high school is that university students are expected to be more independent in all aspects of their life.2. One major difference between university and high school is that university students are expected to be more responsible about their learning. 3. One major difference between university and high school is that university students are expected to book tutorials when they want to talk to teachers.
One challenge with topic sentences is knowing if your topic sentence is:- too specific, - too general, - or if it works well.
Topic Sentences
Clear link to the question
Keep it concise
Clear introduction of the idea
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
Introduce one idea! Do not use specific examples or reasons
What do you think might be reasons to support this topic sentence?
Supporting Sentences:Reasons
Reasons
Write valid reasons to explain your topic sentence
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
Try to include at least two good reasons to support your topic.
REASON 1) The first reason why the power in the student-teacher relationship differs between university and high school is because students are more equal to teachers at university than at high school.
Show clear connection to the question & topic sentence
REASON 2) Furthermore, part of a high school teacher's role also involves discipline and punishment if necessary, unlike university teachers.
Supporting Sentences:Evidence & Examples
Evidence
Next we need to give evidence or examples to support our reasons.
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
This could be from your experience or from something you've heard or read.
REASON 1) The first reason why the power in the student-teacher relationship differs between university and high school is because students are more equal to teachers at university than at high school.
Show clear connection to the question & topic sentence
Can you think of any examples to support this reason?
Supporting Sentences:Evidence & Examples
Evidence
Next we need to give evidence or examples to support our reasons.
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
This could be from your experience or from something you've heard or read.
REASON 2) Furthermore, part of a high school teacher's role also involves discipline and punishment if necessary, unlike university teachers.
Show clear connection to the question & topic sentence
Can you think of any examples to support this reason?
EVIDENCE & EXAMPLES
Examples
Topic Sentence
Reasons
1) As Meiland argues, a "good student" at university is encouraged to question and criticise the ideas in classes, including those of the teacher. This is very rare in high schools.
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
1) The first reason why the power in the student-teacher relationship differs between university and high school is because students are more equal to teachers at university than at high school.
2) A good example of this is seen in how teachers deal with students who do not do their homework. High school teachers often use intimidation (such as shouting) and have the power to assign detention or contact parents. In contrast, university teachers rarely deal with disicipline unless students are caught cheating or if students become abusive or disruptive in class.
2) Furthermore, part of a high school teacher's role also involves discipline and punishment if necessary, unlike university teachers.
Are we answering the question?
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
Clear topic sentence
The first reason why the power in the student-teacher relationship differs between university and high school is because students are more equal to teachers at university than at high school.
Reason & Example 1
As Meiland argues, a "good student" at university is encouraged to question and criticise the ideas in classes, including those of the teacher. This is very rare in high schools.
Furthermore, part of a high school teacher's role also involves discipline and punishment if necessary, unlike university teachers.
A good example of this is seen in how teachers deal with students who do not do their homework. High school teachers often use intimidation (such as shouting) and have the power to assign detention or contact parents. In contrast, university teachers rarely deal with disicipline unless students are caught cheating or if students become abusive or disruptive in class.
Reason & Example 2
If you want to show the connection to the question more clearly...
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
The first reason why the power in the student-teacher relationship differs between university and high school is because students are more equal to teachers at university than at high school.
As Meiland argues, a "good student" at university is encouraged to question and criticise the ideas in classes, including those of the teacher. This is very rare in high schools.
This change can often be difficult for new university students to comprehend and they often mean they are too respectful of their university teachers and become afraid to ask questions or think critically about their course. This can have a negative impact on their ability to be successful university students.
Furthermore, part of a high school teacher's role also involves controlling, disciplining and, if necessary, punishing students, unlike university teachers.
A good example of this is seen in how teachers deal with students who do not do their homework. High school teachers often use intimidation (such as shouting) and have the power to assign detention or contact parents. In contrast, university teachers rarely deal with disicipline except in extreme examples such as if students are caught cheating.
Freshmen university students often rely on their teachers' expectations to ensure they do their assignments. However, as university teachers tend to expect students to do their work independently, students must depend on their own self-motivation. This is a major concern because this can be difficult for freshmen students to do, meaning they can sometimes struggle to succeed at university.
Concluding Sentences
Show you are beginningthe concluding sentence
Show that you are answering the question!
Version 1
As such, it is clear that the difference between university and high school which can affect students most is the change in power relationship they have with teachers, including how they interact with teachers and the power balance in terms of discipline.
Restate your topic sentence (in different words)
Summarise the main ideas from your paragraph
Do not include any new ideas or information
Version 2
The main difference between university and high school, therefore, is how teacher-student power relationship differs, both in terms of interaction and in terms of discipline.
This is an example of how you should structure a paragraph, how you can keep the focus on answering the question, and how you can develop a paragraph in detail. A well-developed paragraph is usually between 200 and 300 words (although some are shorter, some are longer). I strongly recommend that you include labels for each sentence of your paragraph (e.g. [topic sentence], [reason 1]). This will help you ensure you are focused on the purpose of each sentence. Click the eye to see my full paragraph (283 words)
Other Things to Remember
Read your work again and again as you write. Constantly rewrite, edit, and upgrade as you write.
Be yourself
Link your ideas
Formatting
Be impersonal
Do not just copy the phrases in my examples. Use your own ideas where possible.
Do not use "I", "you", "we".Use objective language. Do not express emotions. Do not ask questions.
Show the connection between your ideas by using transition words (e.g. However, In addition...)
Make sure you format your paragraph according to MLA guidelines.
Components of an Academic Paragraph
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Created on May 2, 2020
ARW Spring: Academic Paragraph
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Transcript
Components of an Academic Paragraph
pbrereton@icu.ac.jp
ARW SPRING 2021
What is one difference between high school and university?
ARW SPRING 2021
Topic Sentences
What do you think of the topic sentences below? Which one does the best job of introducing a paragraph?
Explanation
1. First of all, the power balance is different.2. One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students. 3. I think the power balance between teachers and students is different between high school and university.
Your topic sentence controls the whole paragraph. It contains one clear idea which explains the purpose of the paragraph (in relation to the essay question). The rest of the paragraph works to support your topic sentence.
Topic Sentences
What do you think of the topic sentences below? Which one does the best job of introducing a paragraph?
Explanation
1. One major difference between university and high school is that university students are expected to be more independent in all aspects of their life.2. One major difference between university and high school is that university students are expected to be more responsible about their learning. 3. One major difference between university and high school is that university students are expected to book tutorials when they want to talk to teachers.
One challenge with topic sentences is knowing if your topic sentence is:- too specific, - too general, - or if it works well.
Topic Sentences
Clear link to the question
Keep it concise
Clear introduction of the idea
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
Introduce one idea! Do not use specific examples or reasons
What do you think might be reasons to support this topic sentence?
Supporting Sentences:Reasons
Reasons
Write valid reasons to explain your topic sentence
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
Try to include at least two good reasons to support your topic.
REASON 1) The first reason why the power in the student-teacher relationship differs between university and high school is because students are more equal to teachers at university than at high school.
Show clear connection to the question & topic sentence
REASON 2) Furthermore, part of a high school teacher's role also involves discipline and punishment if necessary, unlike university teachers.
Supporting Sentences:Evidence & Examples
Evidence
Next we need to give evidence or examples to support our reasons.
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
This could be from your experience or from something you've heard or read.
REASON 1) The first reason why the power in the student-teacher relationship differs between university and high school is because students are more equal to teachers at university than at high school.
Show clear connection to the question & topic sentence
Can you think of any examples to support this reason?
Supporting Sentences:Evidence & Examples
Evidence
Next we need to give evidence or examples to support our reasons.
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
This could be from your experience or from something you've heard or read.
REASON 2) Furthermore, part of a high school teacher's role also involves discipline and punishment if necessary, unlike university teachers.
Show clear connection to the question & topic sentence
Can you think of any examples to support this reason?
EVIDENCE & EXAMPLES
Examples
Topic Sentence
Reasons
1) As Meiland argues, a "good student" at university is encouraged to question and criticise the ideas in classes, including those of the teacher. This is very rare in high schools.
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
1) The first reason why the power in the student-teacher relationship differs between university and high school is because students are more equal to teachers at university than at high school.
2) A good example of this is seen in how teachers deal with students who do not do their homework. High school teachers often use intimidation (such as shouting) and have the power to assign detention or contact parents. In contrast, university teachers rarely deal with disicipline unless students are caught cheating or if students become abusive or disruptive in class.
2) Furthermore, part of a high school teacher's role also involves discipline and punishment if necessary, unlike university teachers.
Are we answering the question?
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
Clear topic sentence
The first reason why the power in the student-teacher relationship differs between university and high school is because students are more equal to teachers at university than at high school.
Reason & Example 1
As Meiland argues, a "good student" at university is encouraged to question and criticise the ideas in classes, including those of the teacher. This is very rare in high schools.
Furthermore, part of a high school teacher's role also involves discipline and punishment if necessary, unlike university teachers.
A good example of this is seen in how teachers deal with students who do not do their homework. High school teachers often use intimidation (such as shouting) and have the power to assign detention or contact parents. In contrast, university teachers rarely deal with disicipline unless students are caught cheating or if students become abusive or disruptive in class.
Reason & Example 2
If you want to show the connection to the question more clearly...
One major difference between university and high school is the power relationship between teachers and students.
The first reason why the power in the student-teacher relationship differs between university and high school is because students are more equal to teachers at university than at high school.
As Meiland argues, a "good student" at university is encouraged to question and criticise the ideas in classes, including those of the teacher. This is very rare in high schools.
This change can often be difficult for new university students to comprehend and they often mean they are too respectful of their university teachers and become afraid to ask questions or think critically about their course. This can have a negative impact on their ability to be successful university students.
Furthermore, part of a high school teacher's role also involves controlling, disciplining and, if necessary, punishing students, unlike university teachers.
A good example of this is seen in how teachers deal with students who do not do their homework. High school teachers often use intimidation (such as shouting) and have the power to assign detention or contact parents. In contrast, university teachers rarely deal with disicipline except in extreme examples such as if students are caught cheating.
Freshmen university students often rely on their teachers' expectations to ensure they do their assignments. However, as university teachers tend to expect students to do their work independently, students must depend on their own self-motivation. This is a major concern because this can be difficult for freshmen students to do, meaning they can sometimes struggle to succeed at university.
Concluding Sentences
Show you are beginningthe concluding sentence
Show that you are answering the question!
Version 1
As such, it is clear that the difference between university and high school which can affect students most is the change in power relationship they have with teachers, including how they interact with teachers and the power balance in terms of discipline.
Restate your topic sentence (in different words)
Summarise the main ideas from your paragraph
Do not include any new ideas or information
Version 2
The main difference between university and high school, therefore, is how teacher-student power relationship differs, both in terms of interaction and in terms of discipline.
This is an example of how you should structure a paragraph, how you can keep the focus on answering the question, and how you can develop a paragraph in detail. A well-developed paragraph is usually between 200 and 300 words (although some are shorter, some are longer). I strongly recommend that you include labels for each sentence of your paragraph (e.g. [topic sentence], [reason 1]). This will help you ensure you are focused on the purpose of each sentence. Click the eye to see my full paragraph (283 words)
Other Things to Remember
Read your work again and again as you write. Constantly rewrite, edit, and upgrade as you write.
Be yourself
Link your ideas
Formatting
Be impersonal
Do not just copy the phrases in my examples. Use your own ideas where possible.
Do not use "I", "you", "we".Use objective language. Do not express emotions. Do not ask questions.
Show the connection between your ideas by using transition words (e.g. However, In addition...)
Make sure you format your paragraph according to MLA guidelines.