CCF20100109003

Wliat aro tlto com/non paragraph structures?

The organizational structure of a paragraph is infUtenced by tlie place-ment of the topie sentence. by recognizing this structure, we can read the paragraph morę accuraiely and eflicieritly. Tlie topie sentence can appear anywhere in the paragraph, but it usually occurs in one of four positions. The probable order of appearancc of topie sentences in college instruc-tional materials are: first sentence, łasi sentence, midparagraph sentence, and lirst and last sentences. Examples of diese four structures follow.

First sentence

Topie Sentence    ^

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The dcvclopment of computcr bascd learning materials is an example of misdirection. Fcrhaps $1 billion of government sup-port, which could have been spent developing software of immedi-ate instructional use in schools, bas instead been spent ilcvcloping basie Systems. Virtually no software of educational signiftcance has been generated from these expensive basie systems. Moreover, the major Computer software companies, recognizing that schools are big business, have conccntrated on the distribution of educational software rather tltan on its development.

Last sentence

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Topie Sentence

Even sitnple cells show sonie ability to contract and to rnove. Rodents musi tnove to scek food and shelter and to escape their enemies. Snakes, cats, and owls can prey on rodents only because tliey can seek tlicm, wliicli re<juircs getting from one place to another. Among other reasons, the human tnust move to maintain health and strength. Locomotion is one of the critical needs of all fornts of life.

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A man in a mental hospital claims that he isjesus of Naiareth. A woman suffering from withdrawal of cocaine offers her body io the local doctor. Wc believe that all such examples of unusunl social behayior are the result of tlie inability to ful fili esscntial personal needs. This premise holds cven for less extreme cases. Such might be the case for a boy who disrupts the elementary classroom with temper outbursts, or a salcswoinan who is mortally afraid to fly.

Two topie sentences

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Extended Topie Sentence

The college has placed nearly one-hfth of its 8000 parking spaces on a closed reserve basis. This will include the 6 lots that are closest to the main lecture halls. These spaces will be reserved for faculty and supporting stalT. The announcemcnt was madę lale yesterday evening by the Assistant Vice President for Campus Op-erations. The Student Cotincil believes the college s facufty .parking rcscryation policy discriminates against studeins and promises to work to reverse this decision.