Rules and Best Practices for Writing Paragraphs

The definition of a paragraph: Its a group of closely related sentences that develops a central idea, conventionally beginning on a new line, which is sometimes  indented. The paragraph has been variously defined as a subdivision in a longer written passage, a group of sentences (or sometimes just one sentence) about a specific topic, and a grammatical unit typically consisting of multiple sentences that together express a complete thought. In his 2006 book A Dash of Style, Noah Lukeman describes the paragraph break as one of the most crucial marks in the punctuation world. Etymology:  Paragraph is from the Greek word which means to write beside. Observations A new paragraph is a wonderful thing. It lets you quietly change the rhythm, and it can be like a flash of lightning that shows the same landscape from a different aspect. (Babel, Isaac interviewed by Konstantin Paustovsky in Isaac Babel Talks About Writing, The Nation, March 31, 1969.) 10 Effective Paragraph Criteria Lois Laase and Joan Clemmons offer the following list of 10 helpful suggestions for writing paragraphs. This is adapted from their book, Helping Students Write... The Best Research Reports Ever: Easy Mini-Lessons, Strategies, and Creative Formats to Make Research Manageable and Fun. Keep the paragraph on one topic.Include a topic sentence.Use supporting sentences that give ​details or facts about the topic.Include vivid words.Make sure it does not have run-on sentences.Include sentences that make sense and stick to the topic.Sentences should be in order and make sense.Write sentences that begin in different ways.Make sure the sentences flow.Be sure sentences are mechanically correct — spelling, punctuation, capitalization, indentation. Topic Sentences in Paragraphs Although the topic sentence is often the first sentence of the paragraph, it does not have to be. Furthermore, the topic sentence is sometimes restated or echoed at the end of the paragraph, although again it does not have to be. However, a well-phrased concluding sentence can emphasize the central idea of the paragraph as well as provide a nice balance and ending. A paragraph is not a constraining formula; in fact, it has variations. In some instances, for example, the topic sentence is not found in a single sentence. It may be the combination of two sentences, or it may be an easily understood but unwritten underlying idea that unifies the paragraph. Nevertheless, the paragraph in most college writing contains discussion supporting a stated topic sentence.... (Brandon, Lee. At a Glance: Paragraphs, 5th ed., Wadsworth, 2012.) Rules of Paragraphing As an advanced writer, you know that rules are made to be broken. But that is not to say that these rules are useless. Sometimes it is good to avoid a one-sentence paragraph — it can sound too brisk and implies a lack of penetration and analysis. Sometimes, or perhaps most of the time, it is good to have a topic sentence. But the awful fact is that when you look closely at a professional writers work, you will see that the topic sentence is often missing. In that case, we sometimes say it is implied, and perhaps that is true. But whether we want to call it implied or not, it is obvious that good writers can get along without topic sentences most of the time. Likewise, it is not a bad idea to develop only one idea in a paragraph, but frankly, the chance of developing several ideas often arises and sometimes doing so even characterizes the writing of professionals. (Jacobus, Lee A. Substance, Style, and Strategy, Oxford University Press, 1998.) Strunk and White on Paragraph Length In general, remember that paragraphing calls for a good eye as well as a logical mind. Enormous blocks of print look formidable to readers, who are often reluctant to tackle them. Therefore, breaking long paragraphs in two, even if it is not necessary to do so for sense, meaning, or logical development, is often a visual help. But remember, too, that firing off many short paragraphs in quick succession can be distracting. Paragraph breaks used only for show read like the writing of commerce or of display advertising. Moderation and a sense of order should be the main considerations in paragraphing. (Strunk, Jr., William and E.B. White, The Elements of Style, 3rd ed., Allyn Bacon, 1995.) Uses of One-Sentence Paragraphs Three situations in essay writing can occasion a one-sentence paragraph: (a) when you want to emphasize a crucial point that might otherwise be buried; (b) when you want to dramatize a transition from one stage in your argument to the next; and (c) when instinct tells you that your reader is tiring and would appreciate a mental rest. The one-sentence paragraph is a great device. You can italicize with it, vary your pace with it, lighten your voice with it, signpost your argument with it. But it’s potentially dangerous. Don’t overdo your dramatics. And be sure your sentence is strong enough to withstand the extra attention it’s bound to receive when set off by itself. Houseplants wilt in direct sun. Many sentences do as well. (Trimble, John R. Writing with Style: Conversations on the Art of Writing. Prentice Hall, 2000.) Paragraph Length in Business and Technical Writing A paragraph should be just long enough to deal adequately with the subject of its topic sentence. A new paragraph should begin whenever the subject changes significantly. A series of short, undeveloped paragraphs can indicate poor organization and sacrifice unity by breaking an idea into several pieces. A series of long paragraphs, however, can fail to provide the reader with manageable subdivisions of thought. Paragraph length should aid the readers understanding of idea. (Alred, Gerald J., Charles T. Brusaw, and Walter E. Oliu, The Business Writers Handbook, 10th ed., Bedford/St. Martins, 2012.) The Paragraph as a Device of Punctuation The paragraph is a device of punctuation. The indentation by which it is marked implies no more than an additional breathing space. Like the other marks of punctuation...it may be determined by logical, physical, or rhythmical needs. Logically it may be said to denote the full development of a single idea, and this indeed is the common definition of the paragraph. It is, however, in no way an adequate or helpful definition. (Read, Herbert. English Prose Style, Beacon, 1955.) Scott and Dennys Definition of a Paragraph A paragraph is a unit of discourse developing a single idea. It consists of a group or series of sentences closely related to one another and to the thought expressed by the whole group or series. Devoted, like the sentence, to the development of one topic, a good paragraph is also, like a good essay, a complete treatment in itself. (Scott, Fred Newton, and Joseph Villiers Denny, Paragraph-Writing: A Rhetoric for Colleges, rev. ed., Allyn and Bacon, 1909.) Development of the Paragraph in English The paragraph as we know it comes into something like settled shape in Sir William Temple (1628-1699). It was the product of perhaps five chief influences. First, the tradition, derived from the authors and scribes of the Middle Ages, that the paragraph-mark distinguishes a stadium of thought. Second, the Latin influence, which was rather towards disregarding the paragraph as the sign of anything but emphasis — the emphasis-tradition being also of medieval origin; the typical writers of the Latin influence are Hooker and Milton. Third, the natural genius of the Anglo-Saxon structure, favorable to the paragraph. Fourth, the beginnings of popular writing — of what may be called the oral style, or consideration for a relatively uncultivated audience. Fifth, the study of French prose, in this respect a late influence, allied in its results with the third and fourth influences. (Lewis, Herbert Edwin. The History of the English Paragraph, 1894.) 19c writers reduced the lengths of their paragraphs, a process that has continued in the 20c, particularly in journalism, advertisements, and publicity materials. (McArthur, Tom. Paragraph. The Oxford Companion to the English Language, Oxford University Press,  1992.)

Analysis Of Leo Tolstoy s The French Artist - 1258 Words

Leo Tolstoy’s aesthetical assessment of art, and the role progress plays in regards to it, contrast greatly from that of the French artist, Marcel Duchamp. However connections can be made between their various aesthetical art theories, including in a way, the relationship the art has with the viewer. Although the audience’s role is radically different to each, it is essential component to both, Duchamp’s and Tolstoy’s aesthetical theories. Tolstoy approaches the aesthetic view of art as a necessity to society. He sees art as one of the fundamental forms of intercourse between mankind. One of the most effective ways to exchange ideas and emotions is through art. It can transcend language, and time to purvey a message in a manor that is unable to be done in any other fashion. Tolstoy arguably sees something as art, if and only if the artist is able to purvey a feeling or emotion to the spectator, that the artist has felt prior, and then infects them (the a udience) with that desired feeling or emotion. This is connected to Duchamp’s idea of art, but contrasts greatly in that the relationship with the artist to the art is diminished. While the art must conjure an interactive response from the spectator, the artist’s role in conveying that particular response should be minimal to none, according to Duchamp. This is the exact opposite of Tolstoy. Without the artist forcing a strict idea of what the desired outcome of the artwork is going to be on theShow MoreRelatedAnalysis of Leo Tolstoy and His Work How Much Land Does a Man Need?2543 Words   |  11 PagesHow Much Land Does A Man Need?, by Leo Tolstoy was influenced by his life and times. Leo Tolstoy encountered many things throughout his life that influenced his works. His life itself influenced him, along with poverty, greed and peasant days in 19th century Russia. br brTolstoys eventful life impacted his works. Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy was born into a family of aristocratic landowners in 1828 at the family estate at Yasnaya Polyana, a place south of Moscow. His parents died in the 1930sRead MoreCleanth Brookss Essay Irony as a Principle of Structure9125 Words   |  37 PagesMarx’s economic theories as such: we shall confine our discussion to their methodological premises and implications. It will in any case be obvious to the reader that the present writer upholds the validity of their content. Secondly, a detailed analysis of Rosa Luxemburg’s thought is necessary because its seminal discoveries no less than its errors have had a decisive influence on the theories of Marxists outside Russia, above all in Germany. To some extent this influence persists to this day. ForRead MoreHerbert Spencer Essay13142 Words   |  53 Pagesthought dominated American universities. The last of those decades, the 1890s, produced the revolution in e ducational thought and psychology led by William James and John Dewey, Stanley Hall, and E. L. Thorndike, all influenced by Spencer. In Britain, J. S. Mill backed financially the subscription scheme that launched Spencers work, and the scientists supported him too. Charles Darwin wrote, After reading any of his books I generally feel enthusiastic admiration for his transcendental talents, but added

What is organizational behavior Free Essays

Study of the impact Individuals, groups, and structure has on behavior within an organization. This Is studied by managers to improve an organizations work environment to find methods to increase the bottom line. Basically it is a study of the way people act within an organization when exposed to different elements such as leadership styles, behaviors of others, and Incentives. We will write a custom essay sample on What is organizational behavior or any similar topic only for you Order Now 2. Moscow theory hierarchy of needs? Physiological- Basic needs or body needs; food, water, shelter, sex, and other. Safety = security and protection. Social = Affection, belongingness, acceptance, and friendship. Esteem = Internal factors such as self- respect, autonomy and achievement. Self-actualization = Drive to be all we can be. As each need Is satisfied the next becomes dominant 3. What Is the four functions of Management? Planning, Organizing, Leading, and controlling are the four functions of management. Planning is defining goals and the overall strategy to achieve those goals with a developed and integrated plan to achieve the goals. Organizing is the designing of an organizations structure including task and who will accomplish the task. Leading Is managements ways of motivating Its employees and directing their activities selecting means of communications and resolving conflicts. Chapter 1 1 . Management= one who achieves goals through others vs. Leader = of motivating Its employees and directing their activities selecting means of communications and resolving conflicts. 2. What Is Stress = A dynamic condition in which and Individual is confronted with an opportunity a demand or a resource related to what the Individual desires and for which the outcome is perceived to be both uncertain and important Chapter 2 Sexual Harassment = Unwanted sexual advances Ability = An Individual’s ability to perform the various task In a Job Chapter 3 1 . Job Involvement= Really care about what the work they do vs. Job satisfaction= One who holds positive feelings about there Job. Low negative feelings 2. Cognitive dissident = Car story – I don’t like us cars, change mind when given late model ford. 3. Impact of Job satisfaction- Exit, Voice, Loyalty, Neglect 4. Personality- Sum of total ways an Individual reacts or Interacts with others Class Notes Chapter 4 1 . Emotion- Short lived, Specific event, Facial expression, action in nature 2. Moods – Longer, Caused general, No distinct expression, Cognitive 3. Positively offset – Normal situation the average person is in a positive mood. . Illusory correlation- People associate two event to their mood has no correlations 5. Emotional Dissonance – Show one emotion and feel the other. Hiding Chapter 5 1 . Briggs = Personality assessment- Extrovert Vs. Introvert, Sensing Vs. Intuitive, Thinking Vs. Feeling, Judging vs. Perceiving 2. Proactive personality = Identify opportunity, show Initiative, take action, preserver to the end 3. Values perceptions -?Process by which Individuals organize and Interpret their sensory Impression In order to give meaning to their environment. Chapter 6 FIFO Halo effect= One opinion shows whole character. General impression with a single characteristic. . Contrast effect= evaluations of a person’s character that is affected by comparisons with others people recently encountered who rank higher or lower on the same characteristics 4. Self-fulfilling prophecy’= person inaccurately perceives a second person and the resulting expectations cause the second person to behave in ways consistent with the original perception 5. Stereotyping preconceived notions= 6. Rational decision making= a decision making model that describes how individuals should behave in order to maximize some outcome. Chapter 7 1 . Motivation – accounts for intensity, direction, persistence 2. Theory X -assumes employees don’t like Job 3. Theory Y – assumes employees like work 4. Goal Setting theory – If the employees are involved, Goals are achievable and production is up 5. Management by objectives – Tangible verifiable, and measurable 6. Self Chapter 8 1 . Job design- The way the elements in a Job are organized 2. Job Enrichment- expands the Job so the employee controls the planning, execution and evaluation 3. Job Rotation- Moving around Cross-train 4. Employee Involvement- more involved, more productive employees 5. Participative management- Joint decision making Vs. Representative participation – workers are represented in a small group (Union). Chapter 9 1 . Formal Group- Organized, Such as work group 2. Informal Group – No Formally structured nor organized 3. ESSAY – Five-stage Model Forming- Beginning of group Storming- Accept existence of group but are working out the kinks Morning-setting standards Performing- Work get done Adjourning- Job completed 4. Role- What is expected by an organization 5. Role Perception – What you think your role is 6. Norms – Standards so you know when people are outside the norm set by leaders 7. Deviant workplace Behavior- behavior that violates organizational norms. 8. ESSAY – Group vs. Individual Strengths of group decision is from many, Increase diversity, more knowledge. Individual – Expeditious, single point of success 9. Social Loafing- Expend less effort when working in a group-causing cacaos Chapter 10 1 . Work group – Primarily to share information 2. Work Team – Set Goal Accomplishment work on a project to get something done 3. Teams – Problem solving – Particular problem, Self-managed worked team work as lead- Cross-functional team-to use different team sets. Virtual – distance 4. Willing to adjust . Team Efficacy – Team believes they can accomplish goals Chapter 1 1 1 . What is communications? Transferring and understanding of meaning. 2. Formal and Informal Channels of communication 3. Formal- Professional 4. Informal- Socializing 5. Downward Communication – Explaining to Subordinate 6. Upward – Up the Chain of command 7. Lateral Communication – Peer to Peer – Team to Team 8. Essay -Discuss the difference between interpersonal communication and organizational communication. Oral written nonverbal / Organizational conduct business one to many documented email. Blobs. 9. Oral, Written and Non-verbal. Identify the pros and cons of interpersonal communication. 10. Information overload – Communication overload. 11 . Channel Richness – The amount of information that can be communicated to a certain number of people at one episode 12. Filtering -a senders manipulation of information so that it will be seen more favorable by receiver 13. Cultural Context- High and Low for global organizations you need to know the difference between High and Low. Chapter 12 1 . Leadership- Ability to influence a group toward the achievement of a vision or set of goals 2. Employee oriented leader- 3. Production oriented leader- 4. Situational Leadership theory – Theory that focuses on followers readiness 5. Path Goal Theory- A theory that states that it is the leader’s Job to assist followers in attaining their goals and to provide the guidance to their goals. 6. Charismatic Leader a leader that has visions and risk-taker 7. Transactional Leaders- Guide followers to established goals clarifying goals and tasks 8. Transformational leader- spire followers transcend their own self-interest and who are capable of having a profound and extraordinary Chapter 13 1 . Power is a capacity to influence the behavior of other 2. Power = Requires follower dependency . How to cite What is organizational behavior, Papers

The Role of Government Safeguarding the Health of NFL Players

Question: Explain the Role of Government in Safeguarding the Health of NFL Players? Answer: Literature Review An important injury for the football players who play professionally is known as concussion. The management, prevention and diagnosis of concussion are very important to the National Football League, its member clubs and players and the NFL Players Association. The NFLs Neck, Spine and Head Committee have evolved as an extensive tool of protocols for the management and diagnosis of concussions in the National Football League players. The management and diagnosis of concussion is often complicated by the problem in identifying or locating the injury along with the individual and complex nature of managing the injury (Thompson, 2013). The following problems need to be discusses in detail: Concussion policies of the National Football League: Revisiting the Sports Administrators Charter and the role of Australian Football League ad National Rugby League in concussion management An article was published in the Sports Law Journal in the year 2011. In this particular article, the authors have pointed out that the United States are not succeeding to protect the NFL players. This clearly shows the inefficiency of the US Government. It raises various questions about the responsibilities of the government in safeguarding the National Football League players from health related injuries and fatal injuries. The researcher needs to compare the alleged failure of NFL with the lawsuit like Big Tobacco. The main aim of this particular research was to keep a check on the responsibility of the US government towards the NFL players. The researcher has also reviewed the concussion management policies of the Australian Football League (AFL) and the National Rugby League (NRL) as well. The AFL and the NRL has also adopted various strategies to prevent their players from different concussions. They are going hand in hand with the NFL to safeguard the interests of their players (Strain et al. 2013). The Impact of Preemption in the NFL Concussion Litigation Another journal was published in the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) in the year 2013. It is found lately that the concussion rate has rapidly increased among the National Football League players. The researcher has shown that there are several lawsuits (81 to be precise), which are filed against the players of NFL regarding the rate of concussion. The former players settled mutually in the year 2013, where it was made clear that the NFL will give away $765 million to the players for their own benefit. The US government helped them to implement the new policies and laws that could further help in compensating the National Football League players whenever required. The research has also been argumentative in certain aspects. Some of them believed that the US government is not responsible for bearing such huge amounts for the fatal injuries of the National Football League players (Drysdale, 2013). Injury, pain and use of prescription among the former National Football League players This particular paper was published in 2011 (Science Direct). The background mainly deals with the various types of injuries faced by the football players during the National Football League. The researchers took help of the telephone survey of the National Football League players. The survey showed that the football players of the NFL, whose talents were not properly recognized during the National Football League, are now compared mostly with the other players of the National Football League. It is also found that their pain during the NFL was much less as compared to the present scenario of the NFL players. Currently, they are more misused in the context of concussions and heavy drinking. The retired National Football League players are misusing the powers and the government seems to have no control over them. This is argumentative from the perspective of the US government. They should implement more strict policies to keep a control on matters like this (Mann, 2014). NFL drug policy and Harm reduction This particular article or paper was published in the Sports and Social Issues journal of 2013. This article aims at finding out the policies that are used by the players of the National Football League to reduce the harm caused from the illicit psychoactive drugs. Various policies were implemented by the National Football League to reinforce or add to the tradition of penalizing those who used drugs and the US government further initiated those policies. The drug policies mainly focused on the drug testing process and they require and need self-restraint from use of the illegal drugs. This context clearly portrays that the National Football League punished the players who used the illicit and illegal drugs. The punishment was suspension from the employment and at times, it resulted in deduction from the payment of the employees. On the other hand, it is the responsibility of the National Football League as well as the government of USA to implement few strategies to keep control ove r the harm reduction of the players of NFL. The researcher has analyzed three cases of suspension of players from the perspective of reducing harm. It also shows the procedure to carry out the process of harm reduction among the players of NFL (Edelman, 2013). Tackling the NFL: An analysis on the role of the US government in workplace safety The Duke University Libraries published this particular article in 2014. The researcher aimed at analyzing the role of the federal government of USA in relation to the reduction of the crisis faced by the NFL in terms of concussion. The private sector also indulged with the federal government to improve the safety and health of the National Football League players. It was also found by the researcher that the government had previously intervened in the sports industry to solve several issues. However, no significant impact was found on the legislation of concussion. Three case studies have been stated by the researcher that can easily act as a guide to the intervention policies of the government in terms of concussion crisis. Football is considered a unique and genuine industry and the concussions or the issues related to health are not properly intervened by the US government. The government still needs to adopt few strategies to safeguard the interests of the National Football Leag ue players (Jenkins, 2012). References Didehbani, N., Munro Cullum, C., Mansinghani, S., Conover, H., Hart, J. (2013). Depressive Symptoms and Concussions in Aging Retired NFL Players.Archives Of Clinical Neuropsychology,28(5), 418-424. https://dx.doi.org/10.1093/arclin/act028 Drysdale, T. (2013). Helmet-to-Helmet Contact: Avoiding a Lifetime Penalty by Creating a Duty to Scan Active NFL Players for Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy.Journal Of Legal Medicine,34(4), 425-452. https://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01947648.2013.859969 Edelman, M. (2013). Disarming the Trojan Horse of the UAAA and SPARTA: How America Should Reform its Sports Agent Laws to Conform with True Agency Principles.Harvard Sports and Entertainment Law Journal,4(2), 145-189. Jenkins, E. F. (2012). Only the Headstrong Survive: The Tragic Course of Head Injury Claims under the Bert Bell/Pete Rozelle NFL Player Retirement Plan.Syracuse L. Rev.,63, 327. Mann, J. (2014). Reliability of the NFL-225 Test and 3 Repetition Maximum Test in College Football Players.J Athl Enhancement,03(03). https://dx.doi.org/10.4172/2324-9080.1000154 Strain, J., Didehbani, N., Cullum, C., Mansinghani, S., Conover, H., Kraut, M. et al. (2013). Depressive symptoms and white matter dysfunction in retired NFL players with concussion history.Neurology,81(1), 25-32. https://dx.doi.org/10.1212/wnl.0b013e318299ccf8 Thompson, S. (2013). NFL Combine Players with Hip Pain Have a High Rate of Radiographic-Evident FAI.JBJS Orthopaedic Highlights: Sports Medicine,3(5), e1. https://dx.doi.org/10.2106/jbjs.sm.m.00164