UNIT Three
Components of composition
DEAR STUDENT,,,,,,
In many languages, the fundamental unit of composition is the paragraph. A paragraph consists of several sentences that are grouped together. This group of sentences together discuss one main subject. Paragraphs have three principal parts. These three parts are the topic sentence, body sentences, and the concluding sentence. We will also talk briefly about details in paragraphs.
1- The Topic Sentence
A topic sentence usually comes at the beginning of a paragraph and it is usually the first sentence in a formal academic paragraph. IT is not only a the first sentence of a paragraph, but, more importantly, it is the most general sentence in a paragraph. What does "most general" mean? It means that there are not many details in the sentence, but that the sentence introduces an overall idea that you want to discuss later in the paragraph.
For example
Macbeth is one of the greatest treasures of English literature. It was written by William Shakespeare. The story takes place in Scotland in many centuries ago. The main characters are Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth. Macbeth was ambitious but weak. Lady Macbeth was also ambitious but she was stronger. Other characters include Duncan, the King of Scotland and Macduff, a supporter of Duncan.
Macbeth wanted to become King of Scotland. He killed the real King, Duncan. He did not want to but Lady Macbeth made him. He thought Macduff might try to stop him so he sent men to kill him. Macduff escaped but the men killed Macduff’s wife and children. Macduff brought the English army. It attacked Macbeth and Macduff killed him. Finally,we can say that Macbeth’s tragedy was not only the tragedy of disposition, but also that of the society.
A body sentences
is the main part of your paragraph. It contains information which supports your topic sentence, and will move the writing along from one topic to another Besides it contains too many details. The body of your paragraph is everything except the introduction and the conclusion.
Start each supporting or body paragraph with the statement which directly supports your topic. Then, write several more sentences to explain this supporting statement.
For example
Macbeth is one of the greatest treasures of English literature. It was written by William Shakespeare. The story takes place in Scotland in many centuries ago. The main characters are Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth. Macbeth was ambitious but weak. Lady Macbeth was also ambitious but she was stronger. Other characters include Duncan, the King of Scotland and Macduff, a supporter of Duncan.
Macbeth wanted to become King of Scotland. He killed the real King, Duncan. He did not want to but Lady Macbeth made him. He thought Macduff might try to stop him so he sent men to kill him. Macduff escaped but the men killed Macduff’s wife and children. Macduff brought the English army. It attacked Macbeth and Macduff killed him. Finally,we can say that Macbeth’s tragedy was not only the tragedy of disposition, but also that of the society.
The Concluding Sentence
In formal paragraphs you will sometimes see a sentence at the end of the paragraph which summarizes the information that has been presented. This is the concluding sentence. You can think of a concluding sentence as a sort of topic sentence in reverse.
For examble"
Macbeth is one of the greatest treasures of English literature. It was written by William Shakespeare. The story takes place in Scotland in many centuries ago. The main characters are Macbeth and his wife, Lady Macbeth. Macbeth was ambitious but weak. Lady Macbeth was also ambitious but she was stronger. Other characters include Duncan, the King of Scotland and Macduff, a supporter of Duncan.
Macbeth wanted to become King of Scotland. He killed the real King, Duncan. He did not want to but Lady Macbeth made him. He thought Macduff might try to stop him so he sent men to kill him. Macduff escaped but the men killed Macduff’s wife and children. Macduff brought the English army. It attacked Macbeth and Macduff killed him. Finally,we can say that Macbeth’s tragedy was not only the tragedy of disposition, but also that of the society.
