PARAGRAPHS
Paragraphs – a group of sentences that together convey a shared purpose structured around the same topic. Introductory Paragraphs (Introductions) Hook Function: Lead / Opening Statement) – can begin with the title a. Anecdotal Function: Brief story to set the mood and lead the reader into the topic Example: Spirited Away follows the tale of the fanciful adventures of a ten-year-old girl named Chihiro, who discovers a secret world when she and her family get lost and venture through a hillside tunnel. When her parents undergo a mysterious transformation, Chihiro must fend for herself as she encounters strange spirits, assorted creatures and a grumpy sorceress who seeks to prevent her from returning to the human world. b. Query Based Function: Question that brings the reader to the topic - avoid second person POV “you” Example: Do personalities affect people’s moral compass? Thesis Statements Function: the purpose of a piece of writing – usually one sentence in length, but can be longer depending on the purpose – must be something that is arguable a. Assertion Function: A claim - a subject + a “so what” about the subject Example: Personality traits show differences across individuals, which tend to characterize the person across varying types of situations. b. Fact Function: Empirically verifiable but often difficult to argue extensively about - better used as evidence to support a claim Example: Personality traits affects people's characteristic patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. c. Opinion Function: A personal position on a topic Example: There is no such thing as being only “good” or “evil”. d. Belief Function: Social, religious, or political in nature – an opinion held by many to be a fact, though it is not necessarily factual – often involves a judgement) Example: Morals tend to be driven by personal beliefs and values.
