A basic guide to writing paragraphs that also includes short single-page sites about different types of paragraphs (comparison, analysis, etc.). The language is upper-level, but the content is basic. A focused and detailed tutorial for developing paragraphs.
Type of Material:
Self-paced study guide
Recommended Uses:
Materials could be assigned for homework reading, included in an online module, or used as supplemental classroom materials.
Technical Requirements:
None/plain web site.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Users will be able to recognize fully developed paragraphs.
Users will be able to recognize various methods of paragraph development.
Users will be able to properly structure a paragraph including the use of transitions.
Target Student Population:
The target student populations are high school and developmental college students.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Ability to use conventions of standard English grammar
Basic knowledge of sentence construction
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
Provides coverage of topic sentences, functions of paragraphs, and paragraph organization; material is demonstrated using sample paragraphs written at a reading level appropriate for upper high school or college level readers
Concerns:
Topics contain very little explanation and few definitions; example paragraphs make up the bulk of the content.
Concerns that students who need this level of paragraph development instruction may not be able to comprehend the complexity of the example paragraphs
Does British usage confuse American students?
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This material would best be used to supplement other classroom assignments or instruction. The table of contents makes it easy for students or instructors to find a specific subtopic or type of paragraph.
Scholarly, college-level examples are used throughout.
Concerns:
Will not be appealing or effective for visual learners or those requiring any interaction -- written text only
Lacks an overall introduction with specific objectives or explanation of how these subtopics fit into larger essay or paragraph writing goals.
Provides very little explanation assuming that users will infer HOW to do something by seeing an example only.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
This site is logical and easy to use.
Each topic is covered on one-page fitting easily onto a screen with no distractions.
Concerns:
It is not possible to navigate between topics without going back to the "topics about paragraph" link at the bottom of the page. The Table of Contents page and the Start Over links take users back to the full website rather than this specific section of the website.
The link within Merlot takes users to the "Paragraph Order--An Introduction" page rather than the "Developing and Ordering Paragraphs" page which should be the starting point.
Other Issues and Comments:
None
Creative Commons:
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