EXERCISE 11. WRITE THE CORRECT CONTRACTION FOR EACH WORD GROUP.

5. does + not __________________ 10. they + are __________________

Part Four ^Basic

Paragraph

Composition

Just as words form sentences, so sentences form paragraphs. In Part Two, we learned

that good sentences are concise, clear, unified, varied, and interesting. A good paragraph

has all these qualities, too. Yet with paragraphs, we are thinking in “bigger” terms—how

sentences relate to one another rather than how words do. Paragraphs themselves are the

building blocks for essays, term papers, book reports, business letters, and so on. Mastering

the techniques of effective paragraph composition, then, will go a long way toward ensur-

ing your success in the critical skill of essay writing.

The lessons in Part Four show you ways to create paragraphs that will stay on track

and keep your readers reading.

Lesson 28 The Paragraph

For example, read the following two paragraphs about Lance Armstrong:

From an early age, Lance Armstrong demonstrated superior athletic

ability and a competitive streak. These qualities helped him win the Kids

Triathlon at age 13 and, at age 16, become a professional triathlete. The cy-

cling part of the triathlon became his focus, and he devoted his life to pro-

fessional cycling. In that sport he has excelled as national and world cham-

pion, as Olympian, and as record-tying five-time winner of the Tour de

France. He is surely one of the all-time great cyclists.

His path, however, has not been without obstacles and pain. In October