Transcript Paragraphs to Compositions

PARAGRAPHS TO COMPOSITIONS
Language Network Ch. 14
COMPOSITIONS
A composition is a longer piece of writing that
consists of at least several paragraphs.
 Like a paragraph, a composition has an overall
purpose, which may be to describe, to narrate, to
explain, or to persuade.
 We will focus primarily on expository
(informative) compositions.

THE PARTS OF A COMPOSITION

The Introduction


The Body


Begins the composition and tells what the
composition is about. The most important part is the
thesis statement, which gives the overall composition
a purpose.
Presents ideas that support and expand on the thesis
statement.
The Conclusion

Winds up the composition. It might restate the main
idea, state the significance of the topic, or call readers
to take a course of action.
CREATING A THESIS STATEMENT

Develop a Controlling Idea
Decide on a purpose for your composition (sometimes
this is assigned to you).
 Think about what angle of your topic you would like
to explore.
 Jot down a sentence that summarizes what you want
to say. This is your controlling idea.


Focus your thesis statement.

Begin with a draft, and decide if it is too broad or too
narrow, which can make a composition more difficult
to write.
EFFECTIVE INTRODUCTIONS

An introduction should present the thesis
statement and capture your reader’s attention.
Try the following:
Start with an Anecdote (a brief story)
 Use a Quotation (a repetition of someone’s exact
words)
 Make a Surprising Statement
 Ask a Question (but make it engaging!)

THE BODY: UNITY
A composition has unity when ideas appear in
separate paragraphs and all of those ideas
support the thesis statement.
 Try the following to achieve unity:

Write your thesis statement.
 List your main ideas, along with supporting details
for each one.
 Check to see that each main idea supports the thesis
statement.
 Check that each supporting detail supports the
appropriate main idea.

THE BODY: UNITY
Create topic sentences for each paragraph using
the main ideas.
 Write paragraphs that support each topic
sentence.
 To break up long paragraphs, try to:

Look for changes in focus.
 Look for events or steps.
 Look for unnecessary information.

THE BODY: COHERENCE

A composition has coherence when its parts
appear in logical order and flow smoothly from
one to the next. To create a good flow, use the
following transitional methods:
Transitional words and phrases, such as “later,” “that
night,” and “then.”
 Repeated phrases
 Transitional sentences

WRITING THE CONCLUSION

The conclusion of your composition leaves a final
impression with the reader. Use one of the
following types of conclusions:

Restate the Main Idea


Call for Action


This is like a miniature summary of your composition.
Suggest or urge someone to do something about an issue.
State the Significance

Emphasize the importance of your topic to the reader.
A TIP FOR WRITERS
You don’t have to write a composition from
beginning to end.
 Some writers find it easier to start with a
conclusion, and go from there.
 Many writers will write the body paragraphs
first, and then write an introduction and
conclusion.
