2   Be Organized. 

 

 

A Use the three-part structure.

Nonfiction:

1.    Introduction of topic and opinion about it

2.     Details that support your opinion

3.     Remind the reader why they should be convinced of your thesis.

Fiction:

1.     Introduction of characters and problem

2.     Problems get worse. 

3.     Problem is solved (or not).

 

B Organize with paragraphs.  

Nonfiction:

1.    Begin new paragraphs whenever beginning a new topic, introducing new evidence, or starting a new argument. 

Fiction:

1.     Begin a new paragraph with each new speaker in dialogue.

2.    Begin a  new paragraph with a new direction in action, with a new focus, with any new direction.  

 

C Use transitions to connect different ideas; don’t just jump from one to another. 

 See below. 

D Information that is not appropriate should be moved or deleted. 

What’s wrong below?

In ancient Rome, the Christians were thrown in the lion's dens.  It was a sport for the Romans.  The Jews were sometimes blamed for the death of Jesus.  These sporting events usually took place in the Coliseum. 

E Don’t cut a good paragraph in two. 

 

F Find a strong opening line.

 

Quote:

 

What’s the most boring way you could begin a research report about the human brain?  A rattlesnake?  The United States Constitution?  We all know: “In this report, I will tell you about…”

Barry Lane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Use Transitions to Connect Ideas.

LOGICAL RELATIONSHIP

TRANSITIONAL EXPRESSION

Connect similar things

also

 in the same way

 just as ... so too

 likewise

 similarly

Connect opposites, exceptions, or contrasts

but

 however

 in spite of

 on the one hand ...       on the other hand

 nevertheless

 nonetheless

 notwithstanding

 in contrast

 on the contrary

 still

 yet

Connect things in Time

after

 afterward

 at last

 before

 currently

 during

 earlier

 immediately

 later

 meanwhile

 now

 recently

 simultaneously

 subsequently

 then

Connect things in a sequence or order

first

 second

 third

 ... next

 then

 finally

Connect an idea with an Example

for example

 for instance

 namely

 specifically

 to illustrate

Emphasis

even

 indeed

 in fact

 of course

 truly

Place/Position

above

 adjacent

 below

 beyond

 here

 in front

 in back

 nearby

 there

Cause and Effect

accordingly

 consequently

 hence

 so

 therefore

 thus

Additional Support or Evidence

additionally

 again

 also

 and

 as well

 besides

 equally important

 further

 furthermore

 in addition

 moreover

 then

Conclusion/Summary

finally

 in a word

 in brief

 in conclusion

 in the end

 in the final analysis

 on the whole

 thus

 to conclude

 to summarize

 in sum

 in summary