D IS T R IT A L U N IV E R S IT Y

S C H O O L O F S C IE N C E S A N D
E D U C A T IO N
LE B E I
ENGLISH COMPOSITION
ANALYZING PARAGRAPHS

YAMITH JOSÉ FANDIÑO

MA IN TEACHING
 FOR EDUCATIONAL
PURPOSES ONLY

This presentation was created with exercises
and materials taken from


http://www.uefap.com/writing/exercise/exwripar.h
tm
 http://www.victoria.ac.nz/llc/academic-
writing/pbuild4.html
 http://www.fauxpress.com/kimball/w/1.htm


 Its main purpose is to help EFL students understand

key points in writing paragraphs. The main idea of this
series of exercises is to show students how to work on
writing coherent and appropriate paragraphs.
 HOW TO STOP SNORING
 Snoring is caused when the airway at the back of the nose and throat
becomes partially obstructed. This is usually due to the loosening of the
surrounding oropharyngeal muscles, but the reasons why this should occur
are varied. The most common are smoking, obesity and the consumption
of relaxants such as alcohol and sleeping pills. As with any common
ailment, there are a host of "miracle" cures advertised - but you should
first try a few simple steps to see if you can halt the snoring before
adopting more drastic measures. Lifestyle changes can be the most
effective. If you are overweight, a loss of weight will help to reduce the
pressure on your neck. You should also stop smoking and try not to drink
alcohol at least four hours before you go to bed. Beyond this, try to change
your regular sleeping position. Raise the head of your bed with a brick, or
tie something uncomfortable into the back of your pajamas to encourage
you to sleep on your side. Both of these will help to alter the angle of your
throat as you sleep, and may thus make breathing easier for you. It is also
important to keep your nasal passage clear and unblocked. Allergies, colds
and hay fever can temporarily cause you to snore; nasal decongestants
may help, but you are not advised to use such remedies for long periods.
Nasal strips, as worn by sportspeople, have been proven to reduce nasal
airway resistance by up to 30 per cent, so consider these as a long-term
alternative. If this fails, then you may wish to look at the varied snoring
aids that are on the market. They range from neck collars that stop your
neck tilting, through to mandibular-advancement devices (such as
gumshields) which reduce upper airway resistance, and tongue-retaining
devices. You can also buy essential-oil products that are added to warm
water and infused or consumed before bedtime. They claim to tone up
your palate and unblock your nasal passage. Finally, if your symptoms
persist, visit your GP or contact the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea
Association (01737 557 997) for advice. If you do not, your partner might.
 HOW TO STOP SNORING
 Snoring is caused when the airway at the back of the nose and throat
becomes partially obstructed. This is usually due to the loosening of the
surrounding oropharyngeal muscles, but the reasons why this should occur
are varied. The most common are smoking, obesity and the consumption
of relaxants such as alcohol and sleeping pills. As with any common
ailment, there are a host of "miracle" cures advertised - but you should
first try a few simple steps to see if you can halt the snoring before
adopting more drastic measures. Lifestyle changes can be the most
effective. If you are overweight, a loss of weight will help to reduce the
pressure on your neck. You should also stop smoking and try not to drink
alcohol at least four hours before you go to bed. Beyond this, try to change
your regular sleeping position. Raise the head of your bed with a brick, or
tie something uncomfortable into the back of your pajamas to encourage
you to sleep on your side. Both of these will help to alter the angle of your
throat as you sleep, and may thus make breathing easier for you. It is also
important to keep your nasal passage clear and unblocked. Allergies, colds
and hay fever can temporarily cause you to snore; nasal decongestants
may help, but you are not advised to use such remedies for long periods.
Nasal strips, as worn by sportspeople, have been proven to reduce nasal
airway resistance by up to 30 per cent, so consider these as a long-term
alternative. If this fails, then you may wish to look at the varied snoring
aids that are on the market. They range from neck collars that stop your
neck tilting, through to mandibular-advancement devices (such as
gumshields) which reduce upper airway resistance, and tongue-retaining
devices. You can also buy essential-oil products that are added to warm
water and infused or consumed before bedtime. They claim to tone up
your palate and unblock your nasal passage. Finally, if your symptoms
persist, visit your GP or contact the British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea
Association (01737 557 997) for advice. If you do not, your partner might.
 HOW TO STOP SNORING
 Snoring is caused when the airway at the back of the nose and
throat becomes partially obstructed. This is usually due to the
loosening of the surrounding oropharyngeal muscles, but the
reasons why this should occur are varied. The most common
are smoking, obesity and the consumption of relaxants such as
alcohol and sleeping pills.


 As with any common ailment, there are a host of "miracle" cures

advertised - but you should first try a few simple steps to
see if you can halt the snoring before adopting more drastic
measures. Lifestyle changes can be the most effective. If you
are overweight, a loss of weight will help to reduce the
pressure on your neck. You should also stop smoking and try
not to drink alcohol at least four hours before you go to bed.


 Beyond this, try to change your regular sleeping position.

Raise the head of your bed with a brick, or tie something
uncomfortable into the back of your pajamas to encourage you
to sleep on your side. Both of these will help to alter the angle
of your throat as you sleep, and may thus make breathing
easier for you.
 HOW TO STOP SNORING
 It is also important to keep your nasal passage clear and
unblocked. Allergies, colds and hay fever can temporarily
cause you to snore; nasal decongestants may help, but you are
not advised to use such remedies for long periods. Nasal strips,
as worn by sportspeople, have been proven to reduce nasal
airway resistance by up to 30 per cent, so consider these as a
long-term alternative.


 If this fails, then you may wish to look at the varied snoring
aids that are on the market. They range from neck collars that
stop your neck tilting, through to mandibular-advancement
devices (such as gumshields) which reduce upper airway
resistance, and tongue-retaining devices. You can also buy
essential-oil products that are added to warm water and
infused or consumed before bedtime. They claim to tone up
your palate and unblock your nasal passage.


 Finally, if your symptoms persist, visit your GP or contact the

British Snoring and Sleep Apnoea Association (01737 557 997)
for advice. If you do not, your partner might. (Mark
Irving, Esquire, March 1999)
 PESTICIDE SUICIDE
 A. Most of the farmers are extremely poor. Attracted by cheap loans from
pesticides traders and the prospect of a quick buck, they borrowed heavily to
raise cotton on small plots of land.
 B. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the crop losses and destruction in
Andhra Pradesh arose from the repeated application of excessive amounts of
chemicals - a practice actively encouraged by pesticides traders.
 C. The suicide of Samala Mallaiah in Nagara village grabbed media headlines. He
owned one acre of land, leased two more and grew cotton on all three. After
making a loss in the first year, he leased yet more land in an attempt to
recover. Confronted with falling prices, mounting debts and pest attacks, he
committed harakiri. ‘Cotton has given us shattered dreams,’ said one old
farmer in Nagara village.
 D. As many as 60,000 small farmers in the region of Andhra Pradesh, southern
India, have taken to farming cotton instead of food crops. Some 20 of them
have recently committed suicide by eating lethal doses of pesticide.
 E. Whitefly, boll weevils and caterpillars multiplied and destroyed their crops,
despite the constant application of pesticides. The average yield of cotton fields
in Andhra Pradesh fell by more than half in just one year. Now the farmers are
in no position to repay the loans or feed their families.
 F. Nearly half the pesticides used in India go into protecting cotton, the most
important commercial crop in the country. However, pests have shown
increased immunity to a range of pesticides. Last year there were heavy crop
losses due to leaf-curl, which is caused by the dreaded whitefly. This
nondescript, milky-white fly sucks sap from the cotton leaves, making them curl
and dry up. The fly struck first in Pakistan and north-western India. Then it
turned south.

 PESTICIDE SUICIDE
 A. Most of the farmers are extremely poor. Attracted by cheap loans from
pesticides traders and the prospect of a quick buck, they borrowed heavily to
raise cotton on small plots of land.
 B. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the crop losses and destruction in
Andhra Pradesh arose from the repeated application of excessive amounts of
chemicals - a practice actively encouraged by pesticides traders.
 C. The suicide of Samala Mallaiah in Nagara village grabbed media headlines. He
owned one acre of land, leased two more and grew cotton on all three. After
making a loss in the first year, he leased yet more land in an attempt to
recover. Confronted with falling prices, mounting debts and pest attacks, he
committed harakiri. ‘Cotton has given us shattered dreams,’ said one old
farmer in Nagara village.
 D. As many as 60,000 small farmers in the region of Andhra Pradesh, southern
India, have taken to farming cotton instead of food crops. Some 20 of them
have recently committed suicide by eating lethal doses of pesticide.
 E. Whitefly, boll weevils and caterpillars multiplied and destroyed their crops,
despite the constant application of pesticides. The average yield of cotton fields
in Andhra Pradesh fell by more than half in just one year. Now the farmers are
in no position to repay the loans or feed their families.
 F. Nearly half the pesticides used in India go into protecting cotton, the most
important commercial crop in the country. However, pests have shown
increased immunity to a range of pesticides. Last year there were heavy crop
losses due to leaf-curl, which is caused by the dreaded whitefly. This
nondescript, milky-white fly sucks sap from the cotton leaves, making them curl
and dry up. The fly struck first in Pakistan and north-western India. Then it
turned south.

 PESTICIDE SUICIDE
 C. The suicide of Samala Mallaiah in Nagara village grabbed media headlines. He owned
one acre of land, leased two more and grew cotton on all three. After making a loss in
the first year, he leased yet more land in an attempt to recover. Confronted with
falling prices, mounting debts and pest attacks, he committed harakiri. ‘Cotton has
given us shattered dreams,’ said one old farmer in Nagara village. =
INTRODUCTION BASED ON A SPECIFIC CASE TO ESTABLISH PROBLEMS
SMALL FARMERS SUFFER IN INDIA.


 D. As many as 60,000 small farmers in the region of Andhra Pradesh, southern India,
have taken to farming cotton instead of food crops. Some 20 of them have recently
committed suicide by eating lethal doses of pesticide.
 A. Most of the farmers are extremely poor. Attracted by cheap loans from pesticides
traders and the prospect of a quick buck, they borrowed heavily to raise cotton on
small plots of land.
 E. Whitefly, boll weevils and caterpillars multiplied and destroyed their crops, despite
the constant application of pesticides. The average yield of cotton fields in Andhra
Pradesh fell by more than half in just one year. Now the farmers are in no position to
repay the loans or feed their families. = PRESENTATION OF SSUES SMALL
FARMERS HAVE WITH THEIR CROPS.
 PESTICIDE SUICIDE
 C. The suicide of Samala Mallaiah in Nagara village grabbed media headlines. He owned
one acre of land, leased two more and grew cotton on all three. After making a loss in
the first year, he leased yet more land in an attempt to recover. Confronted with
falling prices, mounting debts and pest attacks, he committed harakiri. ‘Cotton has
given us shattered dreams,’ said one old farmer in Nagara village. =
INTRODUCTION BASED ON A SPECIFIC CASE TO ESTABLISH PROBLEMS
SMALL FARMERS SUFFER IN INDIA.


 A. Most of the farmers are extremely poor. Attracted by cheap loans from pesticides
traders and the prospect of a quick buck, they borrowed heavily to raise cotton on
small plots of land.
 D. As many as 60,000 small farmers in the region of Andhra Pradesh, southern India,
have taken to farming cotton instead of food crops. Some 20 of them have recently
committed suicide by eating lethal doses of pesticide.
 E. Whitefly, boll weevils and caterpillars multiplied and destroyed their crops, despite
the constant application of pesticides. The average yield of cotton fields in Andhra
Pradesh fell by more than half in just one year. Now the farmers are in no position to
repay the loans or feed their families. = PRESENTATION OF SSUES SMALL
FARMERS HAVE WITH THEIR CROPS.
 ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING ON A
REDUCED INCOME
 Another problem facing a number of elderly people is
living on a reduced income. When they retire, old people
may receive a pension from their company or a benefit from
the government. The amount of their monthly income is often
significantly less than they received when they were fully
employed. All of a sudden, retirees find that they can no longer
continue the life style that they had become accustomed to,
even if that life style was a modest one. Many find, after
paying their monthly bills, that there is no money left for a
movie or dinner out. Of course, sometimes they can not go out
because of their health. They may have arthritis or rheumatism
and it is painful for them to move around. This can also limit
their lifestyle. For some elderly people, however, the small
amount of money they receive will not even cover their
monthly bills and basic needs.

 ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING ON A
REDUCED INCOME
 Another problem facing a number of elderly people is living
on a reduced income. 
 When they retire, old people may receive a pension from their
company or a benefit from the government. 
 The amount of their monthly income is often significantly less than
they received when they were fully employed.
 All of a sudden, retirees find that they can no longer continue the life
style that they had become accustomed to, even if that life style
was a modest one.
 Many find, after paying their monthly bills, that there is no money
left for a movie or dinner out. 
 Of course, sometimes they can not go out because of their health.
 They may have arthritis or rheumatism and it is painful for them to
move around.
 This can also limit their lifestyle. 
 For some elderly people, however, the small amount of money they
receive will not even cover their monthly bills and basic needs.

 ELDERLY PEOPLE LIVING ON A
REDUCED INCOME
 Another problem facing a number of elderly people is
living on a reduced income. When they retire, old people
may receive a pension from their company or a benefit from
the government. The amount of their monthly income is often
significantly less than they received when they were fully
employed. Many find, after paying their monthly bills, that
there is no money left for a movie or dinner out. For some
elderly people, however, the small amount of money they
receive will not even cover their monthly bills and basic needs.

 PARAGRAPH ANALYSIS
Paragraph A


(1) Of the many types of energy, one

major category is kinetic energy or the
energy of motion. (2) An example of energy
in motion is when a bat hits a baseball. (3)
The bat exerts a kinetic force that causes the
ball to fly in the air. (4) Mechanical energy is a
type of kinetic energy applied to objects. (5)
Thermal energy is the energy of molecules in
motion. (6) More and more students are doing
research on energy these days.

 PARAGRAPH ANALYSIS
Paragraph A


(1) Of the many types of energy, one

major category is KINETIC ENERGY OR THE
ENERGY OF MOTION. (2) An example of
energy in motion is when a bat hits a
baseball. (3) The bat exerts a kinetic
force that causes the ball to fly in the air. (4)
Mechanical energy is a type of kinetic
energy applied to objects. (5) Thermal energy
is the energy of molecules in motion. (6) More
and more students are doing research on
energy these days.

 PARAGRAPH ANALYSIS
Paragraph A


(1) Of the many types of energy, one

major category is kinetic energy or the
energy of motion.
motion (2) An example of energy
in motion is when a bat hits a baseball. (3)
The bat exerts a kinetic force that causes the
ball to fly in the air. (4) Mechanical energy is a
type of kinetic energy applied to objects. (5)
Thermal energy is the energy of molecules in
motion. (6) More and more students are doing
research on energy these days.

 PARAGRAPH ANALYSIS
Paragraph A


(1) Of the many types of energy, one

major category is kinetic energy or the
energy of motion. (2) An example of energy
in motion is when a bat hits a baseball. (3)
The bat exerts a kinetic force that causes the
ball to fly in the air. (4) Mechanical energy is a
type of kinetic energy applied to objects. (5)
Thermal energy is the energy of molecules in
motion. (6) More and more students are doing
research on energy these days.

 PARAGRAPH ANALYSIS
Paragraph A


Of the many types of energy, one

major category is kinetic energy or the
energy of motion. An example of energy in
motion is when a bat hits a baseball. The
bat exerts a kinetic force that causes the ball
to fly in the air. Mechanical energy is a type of
kinetic energy applied to objects. Thermal
energy is the energy of molecules in motion.

 PARAGRAPH ANALYSIS
Paragraph B
(1) Medical scientists are finding a significant

difference in how men and women develop

HEART PROBLEMS. (2) Statistics show that
women on average develop heart disease later
in life than men. (3) One theory is that younger
women who give birth to children develop
wider coronary arteries, and this helps women
to avoid heart attacks as they get older. (4)
Most men do not believe this, however.

 PARAGRAPH ANALYSIS
Paragraph B
(1) Medical scientists are finding a
significant difference in how men and
women develop heart problems.
problems
(2) Statistics show that women on
average develop heart disease later in life than
men. (3) One theory is that younger women
who give birth to children develop wider
coronary arteries, and this helps women to
avoid heart attacks as they get older. (4) Most
men do not believe this, however.

 PARAGRAPH ANALYSIS
Paragraph B
(1) Medical scientists are finding a significant

difference in how men and women develop

heart problems. (2) Statistics show that women
on average develop heart disease later in life
than men. (3) One theory is that younger
women who give birth to children develop
wider coronary arteries, and this helps women
to avoid heart attacks as they get older. (4)
Most men do not believe this, however.

 PARAGRAPH ANALYSIS
 Paragraph B
 Medical scientists are finding a significant
difference in how men and women develop
heart problems. Statistics show that women on
average develop heart disease later in life than
men. One theory is that younger women who
give birth to children develop wider coronary
arteries, and this helps women to avoid heart
attacks as they get older.

 REFERENCES
 http://www.uefap.com/writing/exercise/exwripar.htm


 http://www.victoria.ac.nz/llc/academic-writing/pbuild


 http://www.fauxpress.com/kimball/w/1.htm
