Week 3

Question 1

Elements of Academic Paragraphs

Answer 1

Topic or Focus Sentences
● Illustration or Support Sentences
● Conclusion or Explanation Sentences
● Integrating Sources of Support
● Quotation, paraphrase, and summary (APA)
● Using Transitions to Create a Coherent
Structure
Support for APA & Writing

Question 2

Starting to develop a
paragraph

Answer 2

Determine
your topic
or focus
for the
paragraph

Brainstorm
all of the
supporting
points that
fit with that
topic.

Determine
the best
order for
each of the
supporting
points.

Question 3

Academic paragraph structure

Answer 3

Topic/Point
Sentence - Clearly indicates the focus of the paragraph.
Should help the reader predict the paragraph’s
content.

Body/Supporting
Points - Expand on the topic sentence
** Order in a logical manner

Concluding Sentance- Wrap up the paragraph by telling the reader
how to interpret or understand the supporting
points

Question 4

Topic or focus sentences

Answer 4

In the context of a larger assignment, these sentences:
Tell the reader the main point or focus of the
paragraph;
Develop the main point of the paper; and
Help the reader transition between one major idea
and the next.

Question 5

Support sentences

Answer 5

The bulk of each paragraph, which should consist of discussing and
explaining support for the main point you are making.
Support can be:
● Summary, paraphrase or quotation of your sources
● Specific Examples
To clarify and make your point concrete
● Anecdotes
Personal experience(s) that provide evidence to support your point

Question 6

Concluding sentences

Answer 6

Wrap up the paragraph
Reinforce your main point
Lead your reader to the
next idea

Question 7

Transitions between ideas

Answer 7

What they do:
Show your reader the
logical progression of
your ideas
Help convince the reader
that your points make
sense

Question 8

Integrating sources of support

Answer 8

Information (facts, data, definitions, etc.) from sources is
typically incorporated into each paragraph in order to
support the topic of each paragraph.
Use “reporting verbs” when you introduce authors.
Wills (1994) observed that “an unprofessional approach
has been noted among some nurses, with derogatory
comments about patients or their families” (p. 36).

Question 9

Quotations should be:

Answer 9

Used sparingly (in general);
* Relevant;
* Introduced appropriately;
* Explained fully;
* A part of your argument – not
the whole thing.

Question 10

What tense the APA use

Answer 10

APA uses PAST tense!

Question 11

Verbs that make a statement

Answer 11

reported, observed, stated, presented

Question 12

Verbs expressing a writer’s judgement:

Answer 12

explained, suggested, claimed, supported

Question 13

Verbs expressing a writer’s opinion:

Answer 13

argued, asserted, affirmed, questioned

Question 14

Verbs presenting a writer’s suggestion:

Answer 14

proposed, urged, recommended, suggested

Question 15

Verbs expressing disagreement:

Answer 15

doubted, disputed, dismissed, challenged

Question 16

When to
paraphrase

Answer 16

When the ideas and information are
important, but the source’s exact
words are not needed
When you need to simplify a
technical or complicated source
When you need to reorganize the
source’s ideas

Question 17

How to paraphrase

Answer 17

Find your own words. You must do more than merely substitute phrases here and there - create your own
sentence structures.

Changing words should not be the
focus. Instead, filter the ideas through your own understanding

Question 18

Paraphrasing strategies: must use all 3 to avoid plagiarism

Answer 18

Changing
the word/
synonyms

Changing
the word
class

Changing
the word
order