Green River Community College
Paragraphs
Purpose: Paragraphs are a miniature form of the larger essay. In other words, everything that needs to happen in a paragraph also needs to happen in an essay. For this reason, we will begin by learning how to structure a paragraph and then we will later connect this to the structure of the essay. In this way, the paragraph will act as a building block for the larger essay.
Assignment:
Submit three paragraphs. Each paragraph should be about some aspect of who you are as a learner or some aspect about GRCC as a place of learning.
Each paragraph should be in a different organizational structure: narrative, descriptive, and argumentative. Each paragraph should be labeled as such so an outside reader can tell which is your descriptive, narrative, and argument.
Each paragraph needs a clear topic sentence that provides both a focused topic for the paragraph as well as your reaction, opinion, or attitude about that topic.
Each paragraph needs 5-7 sentences that support, or develop, the topic sentence. If you are taking Math 62 as a link to this class, you’ll also want to integrate numerical support into at least two of your three paragraphs.
Each paragraph needs to stick to one idea and be 6-8 sentences in length.
Each paragraph needs to be edited for grammar and editing mistakes.
How your paragraphs will be graded
Topic Sentence: Paragraphs each have an obvious topic sentence that is specific and focuses the paragraph’s topic clearly. All other sentences in the paragraph stick to the topic of the topic sentence. (20 pts)
Organization: Each paragraph is organized in a specific style and sticks to the style it says it will illustrate. The paragraph is cohesive: each sentence in each paragraph connects to the topic sentence. The paragraph’s sentences flow together and connect to one another. (30 pts)
Development/Support: The topic sentences are supported with detailed facts, examples, stories, and/or numerical data (as is appropriate to the structure of the paragraph) that are about the paragraph’s topic. Each paragraph has at least 5-7 sentences. (30 pts)
Editing: The paragraph has been edited for grammar mistakes. It has also been proof read for missing words or unclear meaning. (10 pts)
Writer’s Memo: You will get this assignment near the end of this unit. The Writer’s Memo will be a reflective piece in which you talk about the process you took to write your paragraphs, whether or not this process worked, etc. (10 pts)
First Draft Due (typed): Each paragraph will have a specific due date – see homework calendars for these dates.
Final Draft Due (typed) with Writer’s Memo: Monday, Oct. 22nd
Descriptive Topic
Directions: In your group, brainstorm questions that you will need to ask in order to find information on your topic. You will then take these questions with you and find the answers to them by researching a bit on campus. Bring the information you gather to class tomorrow. We’ll work on building a paragraph in class.
Topic: The Academic Support Center. This is located in the Holman Library upstairs.
Descriptive Topic
Directions: In your group, brainstorm questions that you will need to ask in order to find information on your topic. You will then take these questions with you and find the answers to them by researching a bit on campus. Bring the information you gather to class tomorrow. We’ll work on building a paragraph in class.
Topic: The Math Learning Center. This is located in the SMT building on the third floor.
Descriptive Topic
Directions: In your group, brainstorm questions that you will need to ask in order to find information on your topic. You will then take these questions with you and find the answers to them by researching a bit on campus. Bring the information you gather to class tomorrow. We’ll work on building a paragraph in class.
Topic: The Testing Center. This is located in RLC.
Descriptive Topic
Directions: In your group, brainstorm questions that you will need to ask in order to find information on your topic. You will then take these questions with you and find the answers to them by researching a bit on campus. Bring the information you gather to class tomorrow. We’ll work on building a paragraph in class.
Topic: The Career Development and Employment Services Center. This is located in the Lindbloom Center.
Descriptive Topic
Directions: In your group, brainstorm questions that you will need to ask in order to find information on your topic. You will then take these questions with you and find the answers to them by researching a bit on campus. Bring the information you gather to class tomorrow. We’ll work on building a paragraph in class.
Topic: The Counseling Center. This is located in the Lindbloom Center.
Argumentative Topic
Directions: In your group, brainstorm ideas for arguments you could form about your topic. Since you already researched this topic for your descriptive paragraph, you should have some ideas about possible arguments you could make about this resource. Then work as a group to form a list of things you will need to know in order to make an argument for one of the topics you brainstormed. (Feel free to break down into smaller groups should some in your group want to take different arguments than others. You don’t have to all write on the same argument.) You will then need to find the information you need to write your paragraph, and bring it with you to class tomorrow.
Topic: The Academic Support Center. This is located in the Holman Library upstairs.
Argumentative Topic
Directions: In your group, brainstorm ideas for arguments you could form about your topic. Since you already researched this topic for your descriptive paragraph, you should have some ideas about possible arguments you could make about this resource. Then work as a group to form a list of things you will need to know in order to make an argument for one of the topics you brainstormed. (Feel free to break down into smaller groups should some in your group want to take different arguments than others. You don’t have to all write on the same argument.) You will then need to find the information you need to write your paragraph, and bring it with you to class tomorrow.
Topic: The Math Learning Center. This is located in the SMT building on the third floor.
Argumentative Topic
Directions: In your group, brainstorm ideas for arguments you could form about your topic. Since you already researched this topic for your descriptive paragraph, you should have some ideas about possible arguments you could make about this resource. Then work as a group to form a list of things you will need to know in order to make an argument for one of the topics you brainstormed. (Feel free to break down into smaller groups should some in your group want to take different arguments than others. You don’t have to all write on the same argument.) You will then need to find the information you need to write your paragraph, and bring it with you to class tomorrow.
Topic: The Testing Center. This is located in RLC.
Argumentative Topic
Directions: In your group, brainstorm ideas for arguments you could form about your topic. Since you already researched this topic for your descriptive paragraph, you should have some ideas about possible arguments you could make about this resource. Then work as a group to form a list of things you will need to know in order to make an argument for one of the topics you brainstormed. (Feel free to break down into smaller groups should some in your group want to take different arguments than others. You don’t have to all write on the same argument.) You will then need to find the information you need to write your paragraph, and bring it with you to class tomorrow.
Topic: The Career Development and Employment Services Center. This is located in the Lindbloom Center.
Argumentative Topic
Directions: In your group, brainstorm ideas for arguments you could form about your topic. Since you already researched this topic for your descriptive paragraph, you should have some ideas about possible arguments you could make about this resource. Then work as a group to form a list of things you will need to know in order to make an argument for one of the topics you brainstormed. (Feel free to break down into smaller groups should some in your group want to take different arguments than others. You don’t have to all write on the same argument.) You will then need to find the information you need to write your paragraph, and bring it with you to class tomorrow.
Topic: The Counseling Center. This is located in the Lindbloom Center.
Comparison Contrast Paragraph
Use the comparison contrast grid I passed out and begin to fill it in for your topics. First determine whether you will compare or contrast. Then brainstorm categories that you will need to know about to write a comparison contrast paragraph on your assigned topics.
Follow that by researching on campus to find out the information you will need to know in order to write your paragraph. Bring your grid filled out with information on Monday. We’ll use it to create a comparison contrast paragraph in class.
Topic: Financial Aid and Educational Planning. (Both can be found in the Lindbloom Center.)
Comparison Contrast Paragraph
Use the comparison contrast grid I passed out and begin to fill it in for your topics. First determine whether you will compare or contrast. Then brainstorm categories that you will need to know about to write a comparison contrast paragraph on your assigned topics.
Follow that by researching on campus to find out the information you will need to know in order to write your paragraph. Bring your grid filled out with information on Monday. We’ll use it to create a comparison contrast paragraph in class.
Topic: The Math Learning Center (in SMT) and the Academic Support Center (in Holman Library).
Comparison Contrast Paragraph
Use the comparison contrast grid I passed out and begin to fill it in for your topics. First determine whether you will compare or contrast. Then brainstorm categories that you will need to know about to write a comparison contrast paragraph on your assigned topics.
Follow that by researching on campus to find out the information you will need to know in order to write your paragraph. Bring your grid filled out with information on Monday. We’ll use it to create a comparison contrast paragraph in class.
Topic: The Paper Tree Bookstore (Lindbloom Center) and the Library.
Comparison Contrast Paragraph
Use the comparison contrast grid I passed out and begin to fill it in for your topics. First determine whether you will compare or contrast. Then brainstorm categories that you will need to know about to write a comparison contrast paragraph on your assigned topics.
Follow that by researching on campus to find out the information you will need to know in order to write your paragraph. Bring your grid filled out with information on Monday. We’ll use it to create a comparison contrast paragraph in class.
Topic: Fitness Center (by IVA Building) and the Gator Grill (Lindbloom Center)
Comparison Contrast Paragraph
Use the comparison contrast grid I passed out and begin to fill it in for your topics. First determine whether you will compare or contrast. Then brainstorm categories that you will need to know about to write a comparison contrast paragraph on your assigned topics.
Follow that by researching on campus to find out the information you will need to know in order to write your paragraph. Bring your grid filled out with information on Monday. We’ll use it to create a comparison contrast paragraph in class.
Topic: Choose any two student programs and compare or contrast them. (These include the Community Theater, Student Activities, Multicultural Services, and International Activities.) All of these are located in the Lindbloom Center in one large office.